Bob Mathews reports from Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina that blackfishing was very good in the ocean today, with tog up to a 14-pounder being weighed in. He pointed out that the present bag limit is down to four per day. Capt. Stan Zagleski has seen some limit blackfish catches every day on his Elaine B II from Bahrs in Highlands. Saturday's pool went to Ken Smith of Carteret at 9 1/4 pounds. Tom Hollywood of Staten Island had a limit up to 8 1/2 pounds today, but Palisades Kenny was red hot with four tog from 8 1/2 to 11 pounds. Zagleski will sail daily through Thursday, Jan. 14. Striped bass failed to show up again at Bay Head today as there were no herring there. However, there was word of some 20-pounders being taken during mid-afternoon at Point Pleasant. At Seaside Park, Grumpy's Tackle weighed a 41.5-inch, 26.7-pound striper caught on a popper this morning by Mike Poinelli. Betty & Nick's weighed in a 20-pound bass, and reported other bass were caught on SP Minnows at Ortley Beach -- and on shads in Island Beach State Park. I fished the same northern Ocean County beach that was loaded with herring Saturday evening and produced two short bass on Mambo Minnows for me. There were some herring there early, and I plugged one more short, while a couple of keepers and a bluefish were caught north and south of my position before the herring disappeared. However, when I returned late this afternoon there wasn't a trace of bait -- and no blind hits. It's still all about being at the right place a the right time.