Variety continues to be the theme of fishing in the Beach Haven area, and the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been on hand to take full advantage.

 

            A sampling of recent trips by some of the captains of the BHCFA reflects this variety. Captain Carl Sheppard sailed recently on the “Star Fish” with a party looking to do some bottom fishing on some of the inshore artificial reefs and wrecks. Despite a strong northeast wind, Captain Carl was able to find a nice pick of larger than usual black sea bass. The surface water temperature measured in at 64-degrees. Captain Carl took advantage of the beautiful weather last Sunday to refinish the deck of the “Star Fish.”

 

            Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” fished Great Bay last weekend and found the bite to be very strong. On Saturday, he managed to put seven fluke in the cooler that ranged in size from 18.5 to 26-inches. In addition, his fishermen released many more short fish. On Sunday, his party got a late start and managed about a dozen short fish with several close to the mark and one 20-inch flattie to take home.

 

            Captain John Lewis of the “Insatiable” is currently delivering a boat from the Florida Keys up to the north but expects to be fishing here very shortly. In his absence, Captain John reports his mate Ryan Schramm fished north of Beach Haven over the weekend and picked up a nice 30-pound striped bass.

 

            With the air temperatures currently running below normal, this pattern of species variety should stick around for a while yet.