Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start of the summer tourist season on Long Beach Island, and the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are hitting their mid-season form with a variety of fish in area waters.
Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” has been catching 3 to 8 keeper summer flounder per trip along with large numbers of released fish. His anglers are also picking up occasional striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish. Captain Brett had return client Guy Critelli out on two trips. On one venture heavy winds and dirty water hampered a trip for striped bass. They searched out some other species and found weakfish to 22 inches and small bluefish. On Guy’s second trip they encountered strong winds but managed to box four keeper fluke to 20-inches and released another 15. The John Wittlieb group was the high hook over the weekend releasing close to 60 fluke and keeping 8 to 22.5-inches.
Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” fished a party for summer flounder in Great Bay and found action managing one keeper among many smaller fish. Captain Gary expects the flounder action to improve as water temperatures climb.
Captain Carl Sheppard of the “Star Fish” and first mate Max had a group out fluke fishing on a poor weather day. The crew battled wind against tide along with cold water temperatures and did manage to return with one nice keeper along with numerous throwbacks. Max reported all fish were caught on live minnows from Jingles Bait and Tackle.