Though there haven't been any reports of big striped bass being caught in Raritan Bay as yet, the table has been set as schools of bunkers have arrived there in force. With record high temperatures to warm the waters, it shouldn't be long before some linesiders show up to take advantage of the early bounty. Phil Sciortino reported from the Tackle Box in Hazlet that the water temperature had climbed to 50 degrees at Union Beach, and school stripers are being caught there as well as from Cliffwood Beach and the other usual spring sod bank areas around the bay. There haven't been any keepers reported since Matt Calabria of Hazlet hooked a 28 ½-incher over a week ago on a clam/sand worm conbo, but that fishing could break open on any upcoming tide change. The early abundance of bunkers was first reported yesterday when Allen Riley of South Plainfield passed along an e-mail from David Levitt of Aberdeen, who had fished clams at Keyport the previous evening without a hit – but found bunkers to be so slick that six were snagged just reeling in the lines. He then tried chunks and even a bunker head without success. Sciortino said short bass were being caught by anglers casting clams, and also noted the abundance of bunkers. Calabria has tried chunking, but is also waiting for the first bass on his favorite bait. There were no flounder reports from Raritan Bay, though Joe Julian reported from Julian's Tackle in Atlantic Highlands that some are being caught in Navesink River. Nick Honachefsky of Normandy Beach broke the ice with a fat flounder in Barnegat Bay while fishing yesterday near the BB Buoy with Bob Misak of Forked River. Bloodworms produced a few bites, and another flounder was lost. Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina that he's been selling quite a bit of bait to anglers fishing for flounder from the docks there, though none have been caught so far. A kayak angler went out this week and did some chumming to produce some legal (12 inch) flatties – including the two-fish limit. The Ocean Explorer has been the only boat sailing out of that marina this week, and they've been picking some legal cod plus a few pollock and ling. The bottom has been lively, with bergalls and dogfish biting in addition to the target species. The Golden Eagle will resume fishing on March 19 and 20. The Jamaica from Brielle cancelled last Saturday due to the wind forecast, but has room on this Saturday's 1 a.m. cod trip. Reservations for that limited $165 trip can be made by calling 732 528-5014. Capt. Howard Bogan has also added a 50-to-90-mile wreck trip for 10 p.m., Friday April 1 to fish that Saturday. There's been no news from the surf, though a few decades ago school stripers were a common catch on worms in March. John Bushell reports from Betty & Nick's Tackle in Seaside Park that there's some debris on Island Beach State Park. Yet driving was no problem except for a rough spot by the bathing beach. He'll have bloodworms and salted clams in stock for the weekend. Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park reminds anglers that the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament is set for May 15, with early entries up to April 15 eligible for a reduced adult entry plus drawings for various prizes. The 39th World Fishing & Outdoors Expo opened Thursday in the Rockland Community College Field House at Suffern, New York. I couldn't get to the first edition of that show due to a blizzard even though I lived a lot closer to it at that time. It wasn't until the last day that there was a lane open to make the trip from Lake Hiawatha to the field house full of displays and only a few people. Yet, show promoter Paul Fuller was back again the next year and has had decent traveling weather ever since – though never as spectacular as we've been enjoying this week. The Expo continues from 1-9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday – and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $13, with kids from 5 to 11 paying $3. Those under 5 are admitted at no charge Parking is free. Almost all national fishing tackle manufacturers are represented with full displays at this American Sportfishing Association Show which prides profits to Keep America Fishing -- fighting to protect recreational fishing. Light tackle anglers should check out the new Shadow Rap Shad at the Rapala display. Tim Holtz of Rapala says that innovative new jerkbait features an action that bass have never seen, and works best when the water is clear enough for bass to actually see that action. Similar to the original Shadow Rap, the Shadow Rap Shad is taller in profile than its predecessor, but not as long. And, rather than slowly sinking on the pause — as an original Shadow Rap does — a Shadow Rap Shad slowly rises when stopped, slightly wobbling and perfectly mimicking an injured bait fish. Rpala has also introduced a Fisherman's Multi-Tool that even includes a retractable jig eye buster to clear the paint out. There are many free Expo seminars each day. Saltwater anglers can get surfcasting tips from Shimano's Roy Leyva at 4:30 Friday, followed at 6:30 by Wicked Tuna's Paul Hebert on giant tuna fishing. New England skipper Matt DeBacco covers light tackle stripers at 10:30 Saturday morning, before Leyva repeats his surf seminar at 11:30 and Hebert returns at 2. Capt. Pete Meyers, of Run Off lures, provides his techniques for targeting trophy blackfish at 2:30. Shimano's Dave Schunke is on with harking at 3:30, and Connecticut River skipper Jack Houghton covers vertical jigging for stripers at 4:30. Capt. Jim Freda of Shore Guide Service discusses fall blitz fishing for stripers, blues and little tunny at 5:30. For information on other features and driving information, visit sportshows.com/Suffern. The ASA has an even bigger show for saltwater fishermen coming up March 18-20 with the Somerset Saltwater Fishing Expo. I'll be presenting a striper seminar at that Expo on Saturday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m. – and the first 100 attending will also receive a free jig from Tady Lures.