The Point Pleasant surf was colder this morning as I started surfcasting after several afternoons of hard south winds. It felt more like a month ago in the surf when I first switched from waders to shorts. Though I tried casting a popper for blues that had been there Sunday, I didn't have any expectations due to the shock of the temperature change, There was also some weed in the water, but I was able to work through it with metal and a teaser after seeing a single splash that looked like it might be a hickory shad. Sure enough, they were there -- though not in quantity. I released two 15-inchers and had two others jump off the teaser while getting several other hits. At Castaways Tackle in Point Pleasant, Joe Melillo said quite a few shad were hooked the day before in Manasquan Inlet, though weed made it tough to cast there today. There was also a showing of keeper fluke in the inlet yesterday morning. Melillo says blues are in Point Pleasant Canal, and he doesn't know why more people aren't taking advantage of the fine crabbing at local docks. Allen Riley of South Plainfield had bad vibes when he arrived at the Monmouth Beach surf this morning despite seeing ideal conditions. There were no locals on the beach, and after casting lures to no avail  he understood why they weren't there. Even a switch to his light gear and Gulp for fluke didn't help.