Even though the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are finding some of the best fishing of the summer, some thoughts are turning toward the fall months for upcoming striper action. With fluke action hot now, and just over 3 weeks left in the season, anglers might want to book fluke trips now.
Captain Dave Wittenborn of Captain Dave’s Charters has been rapidly filling up his datebook for fall striper charters on the “Benita J.” He says he has only four dates remaining for November striped bass trips. He urges interested anglers to sign up before he is fully booked.
Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” is a high school science teacher when he is not out on the water catching fish. He still finds time to book charters for weekday afternoons and weekends. He too is finding choice fall fishing dates filling up. Meanwhile, he reports finding better fluke action in the ocean than in the bay waters. On his bay trips he is boating some cocktail bluefish and even blowfish in addition to keeper fluke.
“Insatiable” Captain John Lewis praised a recent increase in water temps to 75-degrees as getting the fish to biting. He did some trolling for bluefish and did well on the smaller ones until dolphins moved in. He also caught some Spanish mackerel while trolling. Another recent bottom fishing trip resulted in 23 short fluke and 7 nice keepers to 4.5-pounds.
Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” has been doing well on his inshore ocean trips. One recent group of hard fishing anglers filled their cooler with 4 big fluke and another 4 good sized black sea bass.
The BHCFA held its annual Junior Mates tournament recently, and all four participating boats weighed in fish with a total of 16 shorts and 8 keepers