The opening of the 2012 summer flounder season in Beach Haven was not the resounding success that the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association had hoped for. There were some stories of some keeper fluke in various areas of Great Bay, but not many were to be found in the ocean waters. Most experts place the blame for the slow start to the season on cold water.

The "Miss Beach Haven" fished Saturday on opening day and found little to write home about. First Mate Sal Rosa reported that the water temperatures were just 54-degrees, a bit too cold to get a good fluke bite going. Sal says the boat will not be sailing on Mother's Day weekend but will be sailing for black sea bass on May 19th.

There have been reports of some huge schools of bunker just off the beaches of Long Beach Island, some of which have large bass feeding on the edges. Although the bite has not been red hot, 40-pound linesiders have been caught.

Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com or by calling 877-524-2423.

Fish Species: Fluke and striped bass
Bait Used: Live minnows, squid, clam
Tackle Used: Spinning and conventional outfits
Method Used: Chumming and drifting
Water Depth: 10-45
Water Temperature: 54
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Speed: 5-10

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About The Author: Jim Hutchinson Sr.

Company: Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association

Area Reporting: Beach Haven-bay and ocean

Bio: I am a writer who will assemble the weekly reports for the association and submit them.

609-290-5942
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Fishing Guide Jim Hutchinson Sr.