Mackerel are finally showing in local waters, and Capt. Jimmy Elliott will be sailing the Golden Eagle from Belmar at 7:30 Sunday in search of the first N.J. party boat catch this winter. He said the Brooklyn VI from Sheepshead Bay had located some today, when he sea conditions turned out to be much better than expected. There was also exciting news from the southern end of the state as Capt. Al Crudele III of Bayhound Charters (609 602-2662) at Sea Isle City got into large stripers just south of his inlet. He and two customers ended up with limits to 27 pounds while also releasing 15. Those bass weren't isolated fish, as Crudele's Lowrance was full of marks. They had intended to fish for blackfish, but had to stay out of federal waters after catching stripers, and found mostly short tog in shallow waters impacted by a big swell. Nick Honachefsky of Normandy Beach fished aboard the Dauntless from Point Pleasant today, and led the way with an 8-pound blackfish.