Summer weather has arrived in Beach Haven bringing typical summer fishing action for the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association. The inshore fishing around structure is picking up, and tuna are showing up offshore.
One major development unrelated to the weather has been the change in the striped bass regulations. As of July 2, keeper striped bass now must be between 28-31 inches. The daily limit is one fish per angler. This emergency action does not include the striped bass bonus program.
With the recent hot weather, the water temperatures have been climbing, which is starting to spark movement of the fluke from the bay waters into the ocean. Good spots to find these fish are the inshore artificial reefs. Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” has been finding both fluke and black sea bass on his ocean trips. One recent trip resulted in three nice fish in the box and steady action on throwbacks.
Connor Smilon of “Fish Hawk Charters” had a repeat client out this week who stayed in the bay for steady action all morning, ending up with four keepers.
Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” has been finding lots of fluke on his trips in Barnegat Bay. The Odenhal charter of Surf City boxed five on a half day trip t0 25-inches and released an 8-pounder. Captain Brett reports he is fishing some newer waters and been rewarded with some nicer fish. He says he is “staying away from the crowds.”
The “Miss Liane” with Captains Ray and Liane Lopez has been offering clients a variety of targets. On a recent inshore bluefin tuna trip they saw lots of life including bluefish busting the surface but found it hard to hook up. They ended the trip with a goodly number of mackerel, black sea bass, and ling. A recent fluke and sea bass trip with John and family from Forked River resulted in fluke and sea bass to 22-inches.