The gale-force northwester and cold temperatures reduced fishing effort to practically nothing on Tuesday. However, Steve McPhillips proved fish don't care about those conditions as he fished clams at 23rd St. in Seaside Park this morning before weighing in an 18-pound striper at Betty & Nick's in that town. He also released four shorts.   I checked the Bay Head and Point Pleasant surf this morning, but didn't see anything that would inspire me to make a few casts as there was still a swell rolling over shallow waters with no sign of birds or bait. With all the NW wind the surf should be flat calm tomorrow, but that wind will also blow the water off shallow beaches.  Capt. Rob Semkewyc hopes to sail his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands on Wednesday, but  anglers should call him tonight to determine if there will be enough passengers coming. The NW wind is predicted to continue into the morning, but it might slack off by mid-day before shifting to SW and blowing hard again. Bob Matthews, at Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina, reports the Ocean Explorer did well with blackfish on Monday despite the hard NW wind. Skip Rose of Bordentown had a limit to 8 9/16 and 10 1/2 pounds. Blackfishing wasn't that good Saturday for Ross Goldberg and his crew on Lady J from Belmar as he fished to the north for eight tog up to 6 pounds -- with four keepers. The Jamaica from Brielle found good offshore wreck sea bass fishing last weekend. The waters out there are still at 60.5 degrees, and the best should be yet to come as those readings fall. Tharas Melnick of New Brunswick won Saturday's pool with a 30-pound cod. There were lots of sea bass and jumbo porgies Sunday along with a few cod and pollock, two triggerfish and a lobster. Tracey Forbes of Lakrwood had a sea bass limit plus 27 scup, five bluefish and a 17-pound cod. Walter Palczewski won the pool with an 18-pound cod.The Jamaica will run those trips every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday by reservation. Call 732 528-5014. Tonight's canyon tuna trip was postponed to 8 p.m. Sunday. Capt. Dave De Gennaro has moved his Hi-Flier back from sailing out of Manasquan Inlet to Bobby's Boats in Barnegat where he'll be sailing open this week for stripers under the beach in the west winds. Capt. Russ Binns is seeking instructors for his Coast Boating School Safe Boating classes. Qualified skippers can contact Binns at 732 245-8844, or 877 262-8273.