The top summer flounder action for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association has been switching from the bay waters into the inlets and out into the inshore ocean areas. The captains are unanimous that this time of the year is a great time to get fishing.
Summer flounder, or fluke, make this annual migration in July as water temperatures rise. The charter captains are able to focus their efforts on the inlet, artificial reefs, inshore structures and even open bottom areas gleaned from years of experience.
Many of these ocean structures are also holding good populations of big black sea bass. In addition, the areas farther offshore are giving up increasing numbers of tuna, mahi, and other offshore species.
The head boat “Miss Beach Haven” has been finding some large fluke on its daily sailings. Captain Frank Camarda reports large numbers of keepers are coming across the rails in addition to some hefty sea bass.
Captain Alex Majewski of Lighthouse Sportfishing has been finding good numbers of big fluke at the north end of Long Beach Island and says he is experiencing special excitement putting youngsters on the fish.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing has been alternating drifting for fluke and hitting inshore structure for good numbers of black sea bass. A prime example recently were Sean Schiverea and his daughters Nicole and Shannon on a light tackle charter. They targeted sea bass first and the trio put their 10-fish limit to 17-inches in the cooler. With a quick tackle change to summer flounder, they hit a few choice areas and landed six quality keepers to 6-pounds. All fluke were caught on the S&S Bigeye bucktail tipped with live bait.
Captain Gary Dugan has been pleased with the results of the fluke action on the “Irish Jig.” One of his recent parties had great action on smaller fluke while keeping two very nice fluke and a big sea bass.