Dave Lilly done in by dolphins

After Dave Lilly’s team won a fluke tournament last weekend by fishing in Ambrose Channel, they were looking to sweep three contests yesterday before being confronted by a mass of dolphins. Lilly said he’d never before seen such an abundance as the marine mammals were spread from the Verrazano Bridge to Romer Shoal. What should have been productive bottom was so dead that whole squid baits came back up with their tentacles intact. The team ended up way east at Atlantic Beach Reef, along with party boats. Keeper fluke were caught, but none of the big fluke needed to even bother weighing in.

Capt. Ron Santee reported the conditions were good for his anglers on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. “George” caught a triple limit up to a 4 3/4-pound pool winner.

The Jamaica from Brielle reported everyone caught at least a dozen chub mackerel from their chum line yesterday, while high hooks had over 50. Dropping to bottom produced the one sea bass each angler is presently allowed.

Betty and Nick’s Tackle in Seaside Park reports fluke and bluefish in the surf, while the bay is producing blowfish, spot and snappers.

Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association as follows: “

Late summer fishing action in the Long Beach Island area is progressing according to schedule as the fluke are moving into the ocean around structure and artificial reefs while the tuna are making their presence known in the canyons.

The only regret for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association is that the daily bag limit for black sea bass is only one per angler. The black sea bass are around the inshore ocean structure in good numbers, but anglers can only take one home daily for the dinner table.

“StarFish” crew member Max Goldman reports “decent” fishing for the anglers on the “StarFish” with good numbers of shorts and keepers both of fluke and sea bass. Most of the trips do not have to venture far to find good fishing action.

The party boat “Miss Beach Haven” has seen its ratio of keeper fluke to throwbacks rising for its anglers. A recent trip had triggerfish and a porgy boated in addition to its fluke action and daily limits of black sea bass.

Captain Ray Lopez had an overnight canyon trip recently that produced good numbers of yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi for his happy anglers on the “Miss Liane.”

Captain Brett Taylor has been busy fishing the waters around Barnegat Inlet for clients of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing.” He recently had a day with three charters which resulted in a total of 128 fluke released and nine keepers, all in bay waters. Strong winds kept the trips in the bay, but the nasty conditions did not seem to bother the busy anglers.

Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org“

Monday’s inshore forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and possible showers. Boaters in the White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Md. will be facing south winds at just 5-10 knots early before increasing to 10-20 in the afternoon.

Kil Song had three giant tuna on last week at Cape Cod, but all

were lost.