Though the last couple of winters have been poor for mackerel, and the spring runs have been non-existent for years, the Golden Eagle from Belmar will begin their annual search for them this weekend -- sailing both days at 7:30 a.m. Mackerel have been scarce even for the commercial fleets, but there was a big run of them this summer on Stellwagen Bank in Massachusetts. That, at least, provides hope that what used to be one of our most dependable species will make a comeback this winter. There were no surf reports today, but I checked the waters at Sea Girt during mid-day and found them to be perfectly clear. School stripers could well be available as water temperatures haven't fallen very far. NOAA Weather gave a 44 degree reading today at Sandy Hook (where its taken on the bay side), after it had dropped to 39 degrees last week.