The official start to summer is just days away, and the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are ready to catch fish. Although the black sea bass season pauses on June 19 until July 1, there are other options. The summer flounder (fluke) season is off and running to provide inshore action. In addition, bluefish and some striped bass are around close to shore. Meanwhile, the offshore tuna bite is getting warm.
Captain Steve Palmer reports the “Miss Beach Haven,” a headboat, had two successful trips in one day recently. The morning trip fished the Little Egg Reef and brought back a bunch of sea bass and a few fluke. “The Evening Sunset Fluke Trip” also brought back some fluke.
Captain Alex Majewski reports the “Debbie M” splashed this week after some unexpected delays. He notes there are “lots of fluke around, especially around both sides of the tide.” In addition to the flatties, he is seeing cocktail bluefish around in the bay and finds poppers early in the day work best before the sun gets high. Captain Alex also runs environmental expeditions in addition to fishing trips.
Captain John Lewis of the “Insatiable” has been spending a great deal of time this spring delivering boats and ferrying them back north from winter stays in the south. He reports he is now booking trips full-time in Beach Haven both for both inshore and offshore fishing.
Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” notes the school year has ended, and he is transitioning from science teacher to fulltime fishing guide. Recently his trips have been producing fish with a pair of 4-hour morning trips each with 5 keeper fluke while an afternoon venture ended up with 8-keepers to 22-inches.