Posted on April 30, 2019 Raritan stripers turn on again After some skippers had a hard time catching stripers in Raritan Bay on Monday, there was a welcome change today for the party boats out of Atlantic Highlands. Capt. Rob Semkewyc of the Sea Hunter said it was a very good day with lots of shorts and enough keepers. Capt. Rob Santee had a similar report after a tough Monday on the Fishermen. Matt De Mauro of Oceanport fished Shrewsbury River and had a double digit catch of school stripers there. Jim Louro of Spring Lake called me to make a short mid-day trip in Manasquan River on his new Vicki Lynn from Manasquan, and we had a quick shot of casting action during the start of the incoming as I caught a small striper that engulfed a Tsunami shad before a 24-incher hit that lure almost at the surface. Then there was a brief shot of small blues before either the stronger current or the east wind turned them off. Surprisingly, the water temperature was up to 58 degrees on the incoming. Rick Hall reports that yesterday’s trolling in the Raritan was just fine from his Trophy Hunter when he tried it late in the afternoon and left bass biting at 7. Capt. Vinny Vetere has been doing well with large stripers in the bay plus Hudson River with his Katfish Charters from Great Kills. He may have room for individual customers this week as he trolls his Ho-Jos or fishes with bunkers. Call him at 917 693-8908. The blackfish season in N.J. has closed. Wednesday’s forecast is for east winds at 10-15 knots.