As the 2012 fishing season comes to an end, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are wistfully putting their boats and gear away for the winter and planning already for the 2013 fishing season.
Captain Jimmy Zavacky who runs the "Reel Determined" reports his boat was undamaged from Hurricane Sandy. He temporarily moved the boat to Waretown where he experienced some good striped fishing out of Barnegat Inlet. He will be pulling the boat out of the water in Beach Haven soon for its winter's rest.
Captain Fran Verdi of the "Francesca Marie" out of Cedar Run truly symbolizes the spirit of the captains of the BHCFA.
Fran had over 30 inches of water in his house in Cedar Run that sits about six feet off the ground. There was 2 inches of mud in the first floor. With much hard work and some gracious help he now has his house cleaned out and power restored to the house.
Captain Fran put the "Francesca Marie" back in the water the night before Thanksgiving. He has already put a goodly number of striped bass in the cooler. He plans to run a few more trips for bass and even some wreck fishing for blackfish.
Captain John Koegler reports he has put his boat, "Pop's Pride," to bed for the winter. With the weather creating so many unfishable days since Hurricane Sandy, he decided to cease operations until the spring.
Captain John says the Holgate Wildlife Refuge appears to be changed with a couple of over-washes still open. In addition the north cut from the bay to the ocean looks closed with some changed offshore sand bars. He also believes the sedge banks near the Rutgers Research Station are greatly reduced.
Captain John Lewis has put his boat "Insatiable" away for the winter and has created a new web site www.insatiablesportfishing.net Captain John has been busy doing boat deliveries in the off season going to North Carolina and Florida as well as several shorter trips.
Captain Lindsay Fuller has just moved his boat "June Bug" down to Manteo, North Carolina, where the boat will spend the winter. Captain Lindsay usually has his maintenance work done there and gets in some bluewater fishing out of Oregon Inlet.
Additional information on the association can be found at www.BHCFA.com or by calling 877-524-2423.