Though trollers have been doing very well with striped bass in Raritan Bay, party boats have had a very hard time trying to catch those bass on bait or lures. There was a breakthrough this morning as nine anglers aboard the Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands each caught their keeper bass plus shorts. The Prowler 5 from that port also reported clamming action that produced nine keepers plus shorts for 11 fares. Mark Roy of Warren was trolling Mo-Jos from his Release Me out of Raritan Marina in Hazlet this afternoon, and had already picked three bass after an hour or so. Unfortunately, the ocean report wasn't as good. The Golden Eagle from Belmar located bait and bass readings, but despite the best efforts of their anglers on a raw, rainy day the bass wouldn't bite. The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant will sail open for blackfish from Sunday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 732 370-8019 if you plan to sail. Capt. Jim Freda got into big blues Friday afternoon in Manasquan River by casting Tactical Anglers Crossover surface plugs. Jim Hutchinson Sr, sent the following report from the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association: "As the weather cooperates. the fishing action in the Beach Haven area continues to improve. The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are ready to take advantage of some of this action. For the past couple of weeks the bay waters have been full of small striped bass. While keeper bass are still difficult to come by, these smaller fish are great fun on light action gear. In the past week large bluefish have been racing around the bay waters and inlet and providing a real challenge for anglers targeting them or as a bycatch. A recent addition is the arrival of table sized black drum." Captain Gary Dugan of "Irish Jig Sportfishing" had a group out recently who managed 14 stripers up to 26-inches. Another trip did not have the action of the first trip, but Captain Gary's crew managed two keeper bass of 28-inches. Captain Matt Curtis of "Get Reel Sportfishing" reports his 24 and 26 foot center consoles are in the water and ready for some linesiders and drum to hit the deck. Captain Matt has installed new underwater LED lights on his 37-foot Sportfish which will be in the water very soon for some offshore adventures. Captain Carl Sheppard reports the "Star Fish" is in the water with newly overhauled engines. The boat passed its annual US Coast Guard exam with flying colors and as an inspected vessel can carry up to 19 passengers. Captain Carl is accepting charters for the bass in the bay and the offshore wreck fishing. Like the other captains, Captain Fran Verdi has been spending time scouting some of his local hot spots with the "Francesca Marie" in anticipation of some upcoming trips. Captain Bob Gerkens reports the "Hot Tuna" is still fishing down in Morehead City, NC and will be making the trip north to Beach Haven in a few weeks. He plans on fishing all of the local canyons in early June. Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.