Raritan Reach has been the focus of fluking in Raritan Bay for weeks, with party boats rarely leaving there except when there's no drift or deep draft ships come through. Yet, some are spreading out now. Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands said it took a long time for the current to get started today, and noted that bait in the channel is moving out -- "Time to start looking for new areas." Yet, there was a fine 8 1/2-pound, 28 1/2-inch pool winner today.  Capt. Rob Semkewyc reports he's been doing best with keeper fluke in the middle of the Reach, while the edges and flats produce mostly shorts for anglers on his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands. Capt. Stan Zagleski did fish areas away from the Reach today, and did well with his Elaine B. II from Bahrs in Highlands. Whereas he had a three-way tie for the pool at 5 1/16 pounds yesterday, today there was another tie that was all in the family between Tom Hollywood Sr. and Jr. from Staten Island at 7 1/2 pounds. The Golden Eagle from Belmar had some mackerel and blues, but added a half-dozen pollock. The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant reported today was suddenly very tough on the chub mackerel along with some blues -- but a late shot of sea bass and ling saved the day. Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park reported snappers are showing up in the bay. A four-foot tiger shark was caught from the beach last night. There wasn't much life in Shark River this morning, though Vinny D'Anton did hook a small blue on a Chug Bug that his grandson Brandon fought and released. I missed my only shot on a small popper. Phil Silvester tried the beach at Belmar first, but said there was so much weed there that he couldn't work a popper. I moved on to Bay Head for fluke, and tried a different area after a slow pick yesterday. Surprisingly, it was even deader there until I had a fish blast my light jig and Gulp in the white water at the dropoff. It turned out to be an 18 1/2-inch fluke that was released in thanks for getting the skunk off me!