Posted on March 23, 2019 Register for HRFA Striper Derby by April 3. The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association will be running a Striper Derby from 6 a.m. on Saturday April 27 through 12 p.m. April 27. Anglers must register by April 3 for this unique no-kill contest that is limited to the Hudson River from boat or shore. A photo of the bass next to a ruler is required, and there are divisions for both tagged and untagged fish leading to cash prizes and other awards. Members pay $35 to enter, and non-members are charged $75. American Littoral Society tags can be obtained through the club by members, while others will have to be ALS members to obtain the tags. The best bet is to get a combination HRFA membership and entry. Another unique aspect of this derby is that short bass can be entered since all that’s needed is a quick photo next to the ruler and a number to be supplied with the entry. Awards will be presented later at the Hooked On The Hudson event at Ross Dock in Fort Lee. For information call Joe Albanese at 908 456-2968 or Scott Havner at 845 300-1562. The forecast of 40 knot west winds today certainly was accurate, and I doubt if anyone was fishing. That wind will moderate by Sunday, and temperatures should be moving up. Bob Matthews is starting to see a few flounder being caught from the docks near Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina. He noted that there are lots of bunkers in Raritan Bay, though stripers there are falling for worms fished  on bottom. Joe Melillo finally heard of a couple of flounder caught at the south end of the canal, one on sandworm and the other on clam. Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association that fishing has started slowly in the cold waters. He’s had no striper reports so far from Graveling Point, which is usually the best bet for early stripers in that area.