Capt. Rob Semkewyc said clamming from his Sea Hunter out of Atlantic Highlands was back in shape after several poor days when wind was a problem. Bass up to 23 pounds were boated, but the most noteworthy catch was the release of a fluke weighing almost 9 pounds. The fluke season doesn't open until May 23. Capt. Sal Cursi called in this morning as he was into stripers off Staten Island on bunkers -- including a 40-pounder released from Shananigans out of Morgan Marina. Dave Lilly of Hazlet had non-stop trolling action in the middle of the bay after launching from Keyport. He used both the large white and chartreuse Tony Maja bunker spoons, and couldn't tell which color was better. He said four of the many bass caught were over 30 pounds.   Tony Arcabascio, who makes those Tony Maja spoons, says nothing has been trolled on them off Island Beach State Park so far as waters there remain cold and lacking in bait. That fishery has opened up as early as late-April in the past, but the frigid winter changed that. There was good surf news from Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park as two keeper bass were weighed in Monday night. A 38-inch, 18.55-pounder hit a clam, and Mark Chambers had a 35-inch, 17.5-pounder on bunker. Things are looking up for the Governor's Cup on May 18 at Island Beach State Park. The shop also reported 2-to-4-pound blues being caught in the bay behind the park. Betty & Nick's Tackle in Seaside Park reported Bob Connelly released three short stripers in the surf this morning -- and also solved the puzzle of what's been stealing clams off the hooks by catching some blowfish -- the first of the season. I tried plugging the Bay Head surf early in the morning, but saw no sign of fish or bait there during a low tide and in very shallow waters after days of west winds. Joe Melillo, at Castaways Tackle in Point Pleasant says crabbing in that area is already very good.