The seasons of the year wait for no man, and that is true for the fall of 2014 and its effect on the summer fishing action. The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are putting away the gear needed for the summer species and turning their attentions toward what is hoped to be an exciting fall on the water.

  

Captain Bob Gerkens and First Mate Dante Soriente of the “Hot Tuna” just made their final trip of the year to the Hudson Canyon hoping to get in on more of the excellent tuna action they had experienced before terrible weather conditions had cancelled 14 straight trips. This final trip produced little action, and conversations with other captains out there revealed more of the same. Both the night fishing and daytime trolls were slow with only a couple of fish being caught. The “Hot Tuna” had a wahoo break-off along with a few mahi-mahi in the boat. There are hopes that there might be a bite later closer inshore on mako sharks and bluefin tuna.

  

The first keeper striped bass are starting to show up with a few fish in the 30-pound class being picked up trolling bunker spoons and Stretch lures. Captain Fran Verdi of the “Francesca Marie” says he has gotten a large order of spot in, and they are sitting in his pens waiting to be fed to some hungry striped bass. Captain Fran also plans to get in on some black sea bass action on the inshore wrecks and artificial reefs when the season re-opens on October 18.