Labor Day weekend is just about here, and the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are well aware what this means.
To start with, most of the summer flounder have now moved into the ocean, and the inshore structure and artificial reefs are holding some of the biggest flatfish of the year. In addition, the water temps are at their highest level, and this means an influx of fish from the south such as cobia, Spanish mackerel, triggerfish, and others.
The inshore and offshore tuna fishing is at its peak. The only possible downside is that early fall can be hurricane season. Captains are keeping a wary eye on approaching storms and scheduling trips when the weather is right.
In a recent ocean trip on the “Irish Jig” Captain Gary Dugan reports his fishing party did “great” with steady action and returning to the dock with two nice black sea bass and a pair of big fluke.
Captain Brett Taylor “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” had a cancellation and took advantage of a free afternoon to treat his wife Jen and young son Jake for a 2-hour bay fishing trip. Jen had the hot stick catching 4 of their 5 keepers. Young Jake snoozed his way back to the dock.
Captain Connor Smilon of “LBI Fishing Guides LLC” has been running 2-hour “Family Fun” trips designed for young kids. They are finding constant action on small sea bass, blowfish, and sand sharks. Three of these trips this week produced trigger fish.
Captain Ray Lopez of the “Miss Liane” has had several outstanding recent inshore and offshore fishing trips. Captain Ray says they have been busy catching yellowfin tuna, mahi, cobia, jumbo fluke, and black sea bass.