The official start to summer just arrived in Beach Haven, NJ, and the current and upcoming daytime temperatures show that it is indeed summer. The captains and boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are ready to take anglers out on the water for a cooling day and the chance to reel in a fish dinner.
These past few hot days have warmed up the bay water temperatures several degrees already, this will have the fluke thinking about leaving the shallower waters and heading out to the ocean. As they make their way to the east, they will be pausing anywhere there is structure where they can congregate and locate food.
Other fish species making the presence known include bluefish in inshore ocean waters and tuna farther out. These bluefish weigh up to 10-pounds and are being taken while trolling or locating bird play and casting to the feeding fish.
Several of the BHCFA captains do the bulk of their ocean fishing on the inshore reefs and know them like the back of their hands. Expect anglers on these boats to be reeling in good numbers of fish, including keeper fluke.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing has been facing strong winds to put his anglers on fluke. He reports he has been fishing in different areas inside Barnegat Inlet to find the action. He has been finding many shorts while putting several keepers in the fish box each trip.
On that tuna scene, Captain Dave Wittenborn reports the “Benita J” fished in the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club’s tournament and took third place with the heaviest yellowfin tuna at 90.3-pounds. He adds the tournament was well run and a great success.
The Junior Mates Program for the BHCFA will be starting this Thursday, June 27. Interested youngsters are invited to participate. Information on the Junior Mates and the BHCFA can be found at www.BHCFA.net