Now that the threat of Hurricane Matthew has passed and Nicole seems well east of the coast, the fishing scene in Beach Haven is returning to normal. After over two weeks of almost constant northeast winds and large swells, the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are ready for a wide range of action as the winds swing back to the southward..

 

Captain Carl Sheppard took a bachelor party out yesterday on the “Star Fish” that wanted to try their luck at some shark fishing. Captain Carl managed to locate one very large thresher in 1115-feet of water off Atlantic City. However the bottom fishing that the crew used to kill time waiting for the shark to bite proved to be even more fun. They group ended up with over 100 black sea bass, all released, with some 20 of the fish over 14-inches. Also showing up to provide action for the anglers was a hungry school of chum mackerel.

 

The New Jersey season for black sea bass will be resuming on Saturday, October 22, and the wreck and reef fishing should be back in full swing at that time. The daily limit will be up to 15 fish per angler with a 13-inch minimum size. Meanwhile there have also been some nice catches of big porgies around this structure and, as the water temperature cools, some tautog.

 

There are big numbers of cocktail size blues, 1-2 pounds, in all of the inshore waters. Hopes are high for the arrival soon of striped bass from the north. Once the bass arrive, fall fishing will be in full swing.