Despite freezing weather and snowstorms, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been busy upgrading their boats and gear while also spreading the word on the great fishing opportunities provided by the group.
BHCFA representatives, including captains and junior mates, will be on hand at the prestigious Atlantic City Boat Show which runs from Wednesday, February 28, through Sunday, March 3. Thousands of fishing and boating enthusiasts will be in attendance and passing by the Club’s display talking fishing.
The club has also been front and center at two area fishing flea markets sponsored by local high school fishing clubs. Many anglers had the opportunity to learn about the fishing opportunities in the Beach Haven area at the affairs conducted by the Lacey Township and Southern Regional High School groups.
In addition to the hundreds of anglers passing through the show, the BHCFA representatives were able to inform teenagers about the Junior Mates Program conducted yearly by the BHCFA.
Planning for the 2024 Junior Mates Program has already begun, and BHCFA officers plan to make this summer’s version better than ever. Information on this year’s program will be posted on the BHCFA website as it is finalized.
The BHCFA continued its efforts to replenish area artificial reefs on February 12 when seventeen reef balls were deployed on the Little Egg Reef just outside Little Egg Inlet. This section of the reef is named the “Koegler Family Reef.”
Captain John Koegler was instrumental in the formation of the BHCFA. Since his death several years ago, his family members have continued to support the Association. Each concrete ball is about 3-feet in diameter and will start providing habitat for marine growth almost immediately.
Since the Junior Mates Program initiated its efforts to enhance the local reefs in 2021, four local reefs have seen deployments. In addition to Little Egg, the Barnegat Light and Garden State North and South Reefs have been enlarged.
Additional information on the captains and boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org