It took some time to get results, but the White Marlin Invitational got off to a decent start yesterday with a few tuna and many billfish releases.

Shark Byte took the lead i buillfish release points at 650 — ahead of Code Blu, Git Up and Lovin Life and Crisdel with 450 each. Bandit had a bigeye blast with 115.9- and-107.6-pounders — while Crisdel weighed a 104.6-pound yellowfin.

Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Assn, as follows:”

Recent catches in the waters off Long Beach Island have included triggerfish on the bottom, and mahi, cobia, and Spanish mackerel up in the water column. There have also been some reports of a resurgence of croakers around. Meanwhile, the artificial reefs continue to give up good numbers of fluke.”

Last call for the HRFA Catfish Chaos tomorrow from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m. You must register today by calling Dan Harrison at 551 265-3460. The fee is $20 for adults and $10 for those under 16. There are many NY and NJ weigh-in stations.

Catfish Chaos DerbyAugust 19, 2023- Last day to register -Aug. 18

Speaking of the reefs, Captain John Lewis of the “Insatiable” announced that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife sank a scallop boat on the Garden State North Reef Site on Friday, August 11. This deployment was sponsored by the Sportfishing Fund and the Junior Mate’s Reef Project of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association.

This deployment follows others that add to the marine habitat to provide the marine ecosystem with food and shelter for all marine organisms. This in turn will develop enhanced fishing opportunities for recreational anglers.

Captain Brett Taylor and “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” had a double charter this week and boxed a nice mahi-mahi in the morning while fishing ocean structure. That group also reeled in10 keeper fluke to 24-inches along with three sea bass. His afternoon group fished in the bay with poor tidal conditions yet still picked some 62 fluke with three keepers and a blowfish. Steady action!

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