Striped bass fishing has been in the summer doldrums lately, but Chuck Many of Annandale is never discouraged by negative reports -- even after a lack of readings and no hits from Ambrose Channel to Breezy Point this morning on his Ty Man from Gateway Marina in Highlands.  Many moved into the Hudson River to a spot that almost always produces short bass on worms to break the ice. Sure enough we picked away there -- and Matt Calabria of Hazlet even released one bass that was just over the 28-inch minimum.Then he tried a live bunker, and was shocked to hook into a 33 1/2-inch release. I also switched to a live bait and was treated to the sight of a half-dozen bass fighting over it right next to the boat -- though none took the bait. I did release a 35-incher on the next drift before the bass turned off. Moving out to the bay I managed a short and a 28-incher on worms before Many moved across the mouth of the bay and found some marks that produced no hits on the drift. Calabria dropped the anchor to try chunking, and we were soon pulling on big smooth dogfish. I released a fat 31-inch striper by casting worms. Fortunately, a school of bunker passed by and big tails came out of the water among them as Many hooked up on a chunk while I threw a live bunker in that was immediately hit by a bass that weighed 28 pounds before release. Though there was no longer any sign of those bass and bunkers, I cast another live bait that was hit by an even larger bass that pulled Many's Boga Grip down to the 40-pound mark. When we started the day we would have been delighted to release even one large bass,  but to see so many big bass in July was a very pleasant surprise.  Capt. Stan Zagleski also got a big surprise this morning on his Elaine B II out of Highlands. After a doormat was boated yesterday, there was an even bigger one today -- a 14.9-pound mega-mat boated by Ted Kogut from Shillington, Pa. on 12-pound spin with a Spro jig. Jimmy Iannielli of Rockaway Twp. was runner-up for the pool with a fine 8.15-pounder. Bluefish are still scarce, but the Golden Eagle from Belmar got word of a late bite that they'll be looking for tomorrow. They did bag some sea bass, ling and flounder.