Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association

Long Beach Island has escaped the wrath of recent tropical storms, and now the captains of the Beach Haven Charter fishing Association can turn their attention to some outstanding late summer fishing. As they say locally, “everything is better in September.”

The summer flounder action is at its peak of the season which ends on September 19. The fish are plentiful, and the ratio of keepers to throwbacks is as high as it has been all year. Although most captains are targeting summer flounder there are other fish to be taken including Spanish mackerel, bluefish, blackfish, false albacore, and others.

Captain Brett Taylor of Real Reaction Sportfishing had Paige Agnello and her family on an ocean fluke trip. They hit a local snag for a quick limit of black sea bass to 17-inches and ended the trip in the bay where they managed a 22-inch keeper.

Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” has also been doing well on fluke in the reefs outside Beach Haven Inlet including the Little Egg and Garden State South Reefs.

Captain Alex Majewski of Light House Sportfishing says his trips are “dialed in,” meaning most days he knows what fish to target and what tide to fish when he leaves the dock. He notes there is a great assortment of fish around including loads of blowfish in the bay. When he tries trolling Clark spoons in the ocean, he never knows what might be attacking the metals next.

Congratulations go out to BHCFA member and former president, Captain Jimmy Zavacky, for his recognition by the Beach Haven Borough Council on his heroic actions earlier this summer. Captain Jimmy and son Patrick along with the crew of the “Reel Determined” assisted in the rescue of the crew of a sinking 28-foot fishing vessels.

The Council cited Zavacky for “bravery, expertise and selflessness in the face of harrowing sea conditions.” While fishing in a tournament sponsored by the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna club, a boat he was fishing with began to develop problems and was in danger of sinking.

Zavacky had been fishing in concert with the stricken vessel and quickly sped to its aid.

Ultimately a US Coast Guard helicopter arrived on the scene and with the “Reel Determined” was able to affect the safe rescue of all the men aboard the stricken boat. If not for Captain Jimmy’s quick response and tireless efforts, the situation could have been much worse.

Additional information on the BHCFA can be found at www.bhcfa.org.