The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are making the final touches on their boats and gear as the 2014 fishing season gets ready to get rolling.
As the air and water temperatures in the Beach Haven area slowly start to rise, the fishing action is equally slow in picking up. Over the past week there has been a definite uptick in the striped bass action with more and more keeper bass being landed on a daily basis. A few bluefish are making their way into the mix and some very nice black drumfish have been landed. In addition, some anglers with the know-how are picking up some “tiderunner” weakfish.
The BHCFA recently welcomed its newest member, Captain Gary Dugan of Irish Jig Sportfishing. Captain Gary berths his two boats on the mainland in the Tuckerton area, but regularly picks up anglers and parties on Long Beach Island for his trips.
Captain Gary reports some small stripers caught off Graveling Point while anchored in 6-7 feet of water. He says the ticket is clam for bait with plenty of chum in the water to stir up interest. With the influx in the drumfish, He adds that he may be targeting them this weekend in addition to the linesiders.
Captain John Lewis of the “Insatiable” reports he has been working hard on getting his boat back into its slip at Morrison’s Marina in Beach Haven. Weather has been a factor in slowing his work schedule down. He has been tracking a warm water eddy far to the east in the ocean that is moving toward Beach Haven at a rate of about 60 nautical miles per week. He is hoping that this movement could result in the possibility of an early tuna bite off Beach Haven.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.org