Labor Day usually signals the end of the summer season for summer visitors to Long Beach Island. But for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association, it marks the beginning of an exciting late summer and fall fishing season. Currently there is good action inshore for fluke and offshore for tuna and mahi.
During a “Hot Tuna” canyon charter with Captain Bob Gerkens, angler Bryan Stone made an unusual catch. He reeled in a fish that was either a roundscale or longbill spearfish. Up until recently it was believed to be a cross between a blue and white marlin, and tournaments classified it as a white marlin terming it a “Hatchet.” Science now says it is not a marlin, but tournaments are still classifying it as white marlin. To make it even more interesting, minimum size regulations permit retention of a roundscale, but not a longbill even though it is almost impossible to distinguish them apart. Only looking at a scale under a microscope can that determination be made.
The “Miss Liane” with Captain Ray Lopez has been having success fishing offshore on tuna and mahi trips. He is catching fish both chunking and trolling and reports he still has spots available for these exciting trips.
In addition to his fishing trips on the “Starfish,” Captain Max Goldman reports he has been pleasing folks with his sunset trips. Many of these events are especially beautiful when watching the sun set over the water. These trips are often party experiences with food and beverages with room for up to nineteen passengers. Children are always welcome, says Captain Max.
Captain Jonathan Kelly reports a particularly good afternoon trip recently for fluke. He has been catching both fluke and mahi on the “Outcast.”
Captain Brett Taylor has returned to his job as a teacher but notes he will still be running afternoon trips for “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” after school and on weekends. On one ocean trip for fluke his anglers boxed six keeper fluke to 6.5-pounds along with a black sea bass. His bay charters are also seeing very steady action, but keeper fish have been hard to come by.