The biggest dilemma facing the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association recently has been deciding what to fish for. The summer flounder are stacking up in the inlets as well as the inshore ocean waters. Around structure there is a good black sea bass bite.
The tuna action can truthfully be termed red hot with yellowfin and bluefin action resulting in some limit catches. In addition, a number of warm water fish such as Spanish mackerel, triggerfish, and cobia are providing some unanticipated action.
Captain Bob Gerkens got into the tuna action on the “Hot Tuna” last week when he limited out with 21 yellowfin to 50-pounds at one of the canyons off Long Beach Island. Captain Bob teamed up with his former mate Donte Soriente to test Dante’s new line of offshore tackle that his Magic Tail Company produces. The day turned into a day to remember as over 30 fish were caught with over 10 tuna released for another day. All the action occurred from 6:00-10:00AM.
Captain Gary Dugan has consistently been putting his anglers on good fluke and black sea bass action on the inshore reefs and wrecks out of Little Egg Inlet. His anglers are returning with great days on the water with numerous throwbacks to go with some fish dinners taken home in the fish box.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing has been splitting his time with ocean and bay charters. He had Dave Samuelson of New York with his nephew Mike on a 5-hour ocean trip. They put their limit of black sea bass to 19-inches in the cooler and switched over to fluke. Working the same snag, they put 7 quality keepers in the boat. That same afternoon, the Steve Danastorg family fished the bay and released over 50 fluke, keeping three to 22-inches in just 3-hours of fishing. All trips used S&S Bucktail Bigeye bucktails tipped with natural bait.