In addition to the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association captains running many recent successful trips, its Junior Mates Program turned in some outstanding performances in a recent fishing tournament.
The recent 50th anniversary of the White Marlin Tournament sponsored by the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club had many participants who are current and former junior mates of the BHCFA.
The white marlin division champion boat “Melina” was captained by Liane Lopez, a junior mate alumna with a crew of junior mates Aden Hunsburger and Cheyne Lenhard. The blue marlin champion boat “Big Dog” had alumni Nicholas Forstner and Tyler Spicer aboard with Tyler catching the winning fish. The third-place blue marlin was landed on the boat “Reel Determined” with junior mate alumnus Patrick Zavacky the angler, and junior mate, Nick Haws, part of the crew.
Captain Gary Dugan reports that fluke fishing has been very good on the “Irish Jig.” He says his groups have been taking home dinner on almost every trip. In addition to the fluke there have been bluefish, ling, black sea bass and a couple of Spanish mackerel. The Forrester family had a successful trip including Lucy celebrating her 10th birthday with two nice keeper fluke.
Captain Carl Sheppard on the “Star Fish” has had successful trips with steady action on a wide variety of fish. One family landed countless short fluke in the ocean and finished up in the inlet with smooth dogfish. Another group caught over 50 fish including keeper fluke and black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, and a bonito. The Calndera charter tried for sharks with no luck but had success trolling and bottom fishing for over 60 fish including 8 bonito, 9 Spanish mackerel, 9 bluefish, 6 black sea bass, and a live squid.
Captain John Lewis reports good fishing daily on the “Insatiable.” The Navokov party boated fluke and bluefish. The Collins party had 15 sea robins, 5 bluefish, 6 black sea bass, and 13 fluke. Other groups had similar results with short fluke and keepers reported every trip. The Anorato party set the bar high with 31 short fluke and 8 keepers.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing has been working around the thunderstorms recently. On his half day bay trips, he continues to catch large numbers of short fluke and most days can put several keepers in the box. One day this week he had two 4-hour charters that each caught five keepers. One trip was topped with a 24.5-inch fish and the other a 23-inch fish.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.