The first few school stripers have been making their appearances at Island Beach State Park, and probably in other areas as water temperatures slowly improve. Both Grumpy's and Betty & Nick's in Seaside Park have been getting a few surf reports on blood worms and salted clams, while other anglers are using worms or small plugs to hook a few bass in the bay. Ric Gross of Point Pleasant fished out of Islamorada in the Florida Keys with  Capt Jorge Pinero on his 34 HydraSports for three days last week with Bob Eitner and his brother Ian Eitner of Jackson, along with Sam Rich of Winslow. Highlights of the trip included black groupers between 30 and 40 pounds that were released as that season was closed -- plus football blackfin tuna and a wahoo of 40 pounds. They also caught some beautiful mutton snappers and large yellowtail snappers