Standard theory indicates that big stripers have moved to cooler waters in New England by this time, but that's not what we've seen in Raritan Bay the last two weeks. There's actually been better bass fishing than we experienced during the spring, and large stripers are included with the more abundant 15-to-25-pounders. Nellie Greer of Bethlehem, Pa. took a half-day off work to fish this afternoon with Chuck Many of Annandale. That turned out to be a good choice as he caught a personal record 48-pound striper while chunking in the bay. That fish fought a long time in a strong tide, and it floated back up after release, requiring Many to pull anchor and net it again. Matt Calabria of Hazlet worked on her until she was able to swim down. Releasing fish in warm waters is much more difficult than when water temperatures are lower. Rather than just sending them back head first, it may be necessary to work them alongside until they pull out of your hands. This was an afternoon trip, and we had a hard time catching bunkers, but the release count ended up at 48 -- though about a dozen were shorts caught with sandworms on light tackle. There were also about a dozen smooth dogfish released. The morning rain resulted in few reports, though the afternoon turned out to be beautiful. Bob Matthews, at Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina, says the party boats there continue to do very well with fluke. Andrew Meli of Wall had a 6-pounder  on the Big Mohawk. The rental boats there have produced fluke up to 4 pounds among many shorts. Ben Green of Ocean Township beached a 4 9/16-pound fluke in the Long Branch surf. Joe Mellillo, at Castaways Tackle in Point Pleasant said he caught a short striper in Point Pleasant Canal early this morning, as did Jerry Lasko. He was told that seaweed was still a big problem in the surf south of Manasquan Inlet -- but not north of there.