Though last night’s blog included a report from Carnivore of some action with school stripers in Raritan Bay, Capt. Joe Massa had a different report from My Three Sons at Morgan Marina. Joe hasn’t caught a bass yet, despite running all over the bay.

The good news Sunday was that there were bunkers everywhere and gannets diving. Yet, trolling stretch plugs didn’t produce, nor did drifting worms. Joe didn’t have any marks to work on at the same time in March he was into lots of pre-spawning stripers last year. Water temperatures were only 40 to 45 degrees, and that’s probably the reason the bass are missing. Remember that the winter before last was very mild while last winter was frigid. The bay should warm up this week with milder air temperatures.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported a pick of ling and cod in good conditions Sunday.

The wind forecast has gone up for Tuesday to east at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20. Seas are 4 to 6 feet.

Capt. Rick Woerner gave it a good try today in Raritan Bay with his Carnivore from Browns in Keyport, but found only small bass. It’s still early for the big bass, though some were caught by the third week in March last year.

Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina that flounder fishing remains slow, but there have been small striper reports from the back bays and rivers.

The weather is looking better with east winds at just 5 to 10 knots tomorrow, and light winds coming up the next few days.

Warmer weather is coming this week, and more anglers should be looking for party boats to fish from. The Ocean Explorer from Belmar has been fishing all winter, and will be taking advantage of a good forecast tomorrow. Also at Belmar, the Golden Eagle has announced they will be starting Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28 for ling and cod at 7:30 a.m.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant starts on April 1. Monday and Friday tautog trips leave at 6:30 with a 15 man limit at $110, while Tuesday to Thursday trips with a 20 man limit sail at 7 for $90. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

Nick Honachefsky reports the last showing of his Saltwater Underground TV show on party boat fishing will run Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and p.m. on Sportsman Channel. That’s Nick below with the ugly but protected ocean pout.

Friday has been windy as expected, and the gale warning lasts through the afternoon before winds start diminishing.

By morning it should be down to 10-15 knots from the north with gusts to 25. However, looking ahead to Sunday the forecast is for just 5-10 knots northeast with seas down to two feet or less. As a result, the Ocean Explorer will sail from Belmar for cod on Sunday.

Betty & Nick’s Tackle in Seaside Park reports they have bloodworms in stock.

Fishing prospects in NY/NJ Bight aren’t looking very good as the rain may discolor some inshore areas, and small craft warnings are up from 1 a.m. through Friday.

Friday’s forecast is for north winds of 25-30 knots with gusts to 45. Possible showers early change to snow or rain — but Sunday looks much better.

Raritan Bay shoreline anglers continue to catch some mostly short stripers and have seen some bunkers breaking. Last year the fishery for large stripers on bunkers broke open very early during the third week in March.

Winter flounder are a possibility off the Belmar docks, but sunny days with light winds are your best bet in that fishery. The Ocean Explorer is sailing for cod when the weather makes it possible and enough anglers show up — which wasn’t the case on the one nice day this week, A very rare fish was caught last Thursday on that boat — an Atlantic mackerel! There was no explanation of the photo, but I suspect it hit an empty hook being reeled up. That species used to be the most abundant in the Bight when they provided spring and winter migratory runs. They are never alone, but this one was here much too early to signal the return of a spring run.

After a little break it’s back to bad weather tomorrow. Though the morning starts with only 5-10 knot east winds, there’s a chance of rain followed by an almost 100% chance later. Northeast gusts to 40 knots move in after midnight.

I’m finally back! Optimum finally got my internet back — ust in time to get the first boat striper report. The striper shown was caught aboard Chuck Many’s Ty Man from Highlands despite howling winds.

Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina that a few winter flounder have been caught off the docks. The Ocean Explorer is fishing daily for cod when possible. It’s looking good tomorrow as the forecast is for northeast at just 5-10 knots. There may be some drizzle and patchy fog in the morning.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had an unusual problem Friday during this windy winter.They had so litle that the boat just drifted around at anchor. Fishing was poor, but the good news was that bait showed up and so did whales and dolphin. Lack of wind won;t be a problem today with northwest 15-20 knots increasing in the afternoon to 30.

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Stripers Forever. the internet organization fighting for game fish status, has proposed a 10-year ban on keeping stried bass both by commercial and recreational fishermen in order to rebuild the population. Catch and release fishing woud continue.

George Poveromo features patch fishing out of Marathon for a variety of specieson his Discovery Channel TV shpw on Sunday at 8 a.m.

The marine forecast is for west wnds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 35 though it will be sunny and mild.

Sorry about what Word Press did to my headline last night before I corrected it later;

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported another flat calm and warm day in the Mud Hole yesterday, and fish also cooperated. About a dozen cod were boated and some shorts released while a dozen ling were added to the fish box.

That boat continues t fish daily, though it won’t be quite as calm. A small craft advisory is posted through Friday morning, though at least it’s for west winds. Friday starts with southwest wind of 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon