One of the Shore's surfcasting legends has passed away. Rich Rusznak of Mountainside, who had suffered poor health for years, moved on to a calmer surf on Oct. 29 at just 61. A mentor to many younger surfcasters, Rusznak knew every inch of northern N.J. surf and river shorelines. Many photos of him can be found in my book, The Complete Book of Surf Fishing. While surfcasting, he became friends with fly rod expert Joe Blaze of Brielle -- who often invited him to join in school tuna trolling charters on my Sheri Berri II. I remember Rich boating a big dolphin in the Mud Hole in ever larger seas on a day before a hurricane. Born and raised in Union, he worked for the Union Shade Trees Department -- but his retirement was spoiled by problems with leg clots that prevented him from pursuing his love of shore fishing. Indeed, the last time we got together for lunch, he could hardly walk from his car to the restaurant. Hopefully he's running along celestial beaches now. Surfcasters were surprised this morning by a stronger than predicted northeast wind that made for very difficult conditions and turned the surf dirty. That didn't stop everyone, as Bob Matthews reported that a 28 3/4-pound striper was weighed at Fisherman's Den in Belmar after being caught in Asbury Park. Also at that marina, the Golden Eagle reported good jigging for jumbo blues despite a nasty sea early that moderated during the day. The Ocean Explorer picked through sea bass to find keepers, but also had some of the largest porgies of the season plus a big pollock and some winter flounder. The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant didn't go offshore due to the weather, but got into their first decent catch of stripers. At Atlantic Highlands, The Sea Hunter reported slower striper jigging, but made a ride into rougher waters for a decent catch of keepers. Capt. Ron Santee enjoyed his birthday with the first fall striper trip on his Fishermen that produced a good jigging catch as a 26-pounder beat out a 24-pounder for the pool.