It appears that summer weather has finally arrived in the Beach Haven, New Jersey, area. This means the water temperatures are on the rise, and fishing excitement will be increasing. The main target in bay waters currently is fluke. These fish are in the bay waters and inlets. In a brief time, they will be making their annual migration back to the cooler ocean waters.
Other fish to be targeted include some striped bass in the ocean, a goodly number of bluefish of varying sizes, and a good bite on tuna further offshore. There are still black drumfish around and some surprise catches of cobia.
One change coming up is a regulatory one, as the black sea bass season pauses on June 20, to be re-opened again on July 1.
Captain Max Goldman reports the “Starfish” has been fishing the inshore structure with success on a mix of summer flounder and black sea bass. He has also been on the head boat “Miss Beach Haven” which is catching fluke in Little Egg Inlet. With many of these fish on the smaller side, they are looking for the larger fish to begin their migration from the bays into the ocean. This will happen as the water temperature rises.
Captain Gary Dugan recently had a group fishing inshore structure for black sea bass which turned out to be a banner day. Between beautiful weather and good fishing, the group managed to put an impressive number of fillets in the cooler. The fish turned out to be a great dinner. One of the highlights of the day with a 5-foot tiger shark that was following fish to the boat.
The Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club is holding its “Tuna Open” which is the kickoff to the club’s offshore season. The fishing began on June 10 and will conclude on June 15. Judging by the number of tuna already weighed in, the offshore action is off to a good start. Two Beach Haven Charter Fishing Captains have weighed in fish. Captains Steve Palmer and Brian Casey brought fish to the scales during the week.
The Junior Mates Program for the BHCFA will be starting on Thursday, June 27.