As Hurricane Lee and its rough seas pass by Beach Haven many miles offshore, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association prepare to do some serious fishing once things calm down.
This is the time of the year when the summer species of fish are still around before making their departure until next year. In addition, the fall species are starting to arrive. Finally, the warm waters of this time of the year always drive some unfamiliar fish from the south into local waters. This makes for a real variety of fish that can be found if you know where and how to look.
Adding to the mix are good numbers of small mahi-mahi not that far off the coast. Many anglers are finding them as they prepare to do some inshore bottom fishing. As is typical of these fish, anglers are smart to check weed lines and floating pieces of debris for these colorful fish lurking under.
Captain Gary Dugan had a pair of ocean trips this past week fishing inshore ocean structure for fluke. He notes that his anglers had good steady action, it was tough at times to find keeper fish. However, on each of his trips they returned to the dock with fish in the cooler including a nice triggerfish.
The 2023 fishing season in New Jersey for summer flounder ends on September 27. Anglers are encouraged to take to the water when the seas are calm to get in on these delicious eating fish.