Capt. Charlie Eble of the Doris Mae IV reports the night bluefishing out of Barnegat Inlet has been great. During the day the sea bass have been biting. Their fall tuna schedule is now posted. They will start this Friday with a special 30-hour offshore trip limited to 20 passengers. If you missed this trip they will be running 30-hour offshore trips every Tuesday and Thursday during September and October. The boat leaves the dock at 7 a.m. and is limited to 23 passengers. They will also be running 24-hour offshore trips Friday-Sunday that leave dock at 5 p.m. and are limited to 26 passengers. These trips will hit the canyons and fish for tuna. Now that fluke season has ended, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter fishing Association have several options available before the onset of striped bass season. In addition to offshore trips to the canyons for tuna, mahi, and other big sport fish, they are managing to find some other good fishing. Capt. Carl Sheppard on the Star Fish found some good numbers of croakers in 70-feet of water off the red tower in Beach Haven. Mixed in with the croakers were some spike weakfish. When he moved out into 90-feet of water, his anglers found some keeper black sea bass along with some small fluke. He has also been picking up small bluefish and herring in the inlet on his way out and in from the ocean fishing. Scott Albertson of Scott’s Bait and Tackle reports croakers were caught in the area of the Little Egg Reef. The best activity in Great Bay has been the blowfish. They’re showing up on the Mystic Island side of the fish factory just to the east of the clam stakes. Clam chum and clams are the ticket to steady catching activity. Graveling Point remains the hot area for the spot fishermen.

Dan Radel