There is a certain feel to anglers in the Long Beach Island area at this time of the year. There are less cars on the road, less folks enjoying the beach, and less boats on the local waters. This all points to the fall season approaching. The cool nights bear this out.
The boats and captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are geared up and ready to enjoy the catches available at this time. The unique aspect right now is the availability of so many species of fish to choose from. If you want summer fishing, there are still almost three weeks left in the summer flounder season. And right now, the biggest fluke of the year are on ocean structure.
While the bluefish action this year has been on the slow side, there are some of them to be found inshore along with fish such as bonita. The water temps are still warm, and this brings some fish up from the south such as cobia, triggerfish, and sheepshead.
Anglers looking to fill coolers with good eating fish can find good catches in the bay waters with blowfish, spot, and other fish. Offshore, the bite on yellowfin tuna remains strong along with some great catches of mahi-mahi and golden tilefish.
Captain Dave Wittenborn spent his Labor Day with his dad as they fished local reefs on the “Benita J.” They brought home “a handful of keeper flatties and nice size black sea bass.” His 83-year-old dad was the leading fisherman that day.