When I joined Capt. Erwin Heinrich this morning on his Scales N Tales from Twin Lights Marina in Highands, I didn't expect to see many boats in Raritan Bay during a weekday on the coldest morning of the year with a continuing northwest wind gusting to 25 mph. Gomber got things started in spectacular fashion when Heinrich stopped his Contender on bait readings and near a whale in mid-bay by tempting a 36 1 2-inch striper to hit a Tsunami Shad.

Capt. Ron Santee said there were lots of shorts with the new 13-inch minimum length, but anglers were able to put a catch together on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands along with blowfish and porgies -- and the one blackfish presently allowed. The Jamaica from Brielle has openings on canyon trips leaving on Nov. 1 and 3 at 7 a. m. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

There was some great canyon tuna fishing just before the storm, as noted in the following report from Adam La Rosa of the Canyon Runner out of Point Pleasant Solid Chunk Bite on Big Yellowfin Continues - Again Again - Double Digit Yellowfin Catches Abound One Last Shot At an Open Trip End of Next Week or Full Boat if you Are Interested - Then Bring on the Stripers!Here Are Pics for Monday-Tuesday's Trip October 17-18 Here are Pics for Wednesday-Thursday October 19-20 Pics from the Weekend 48' Canyon Runner Trip - 10 12-13 16 Call ASAP to secure it - it won't last long 732-272-4445 Solid Chunk Bite on Big Yellowfin Continues - Again Again - Double Digit Yellowfin Catches Abound One Last Shot At an Open Trip End of Next Week if you Are Interested - Then Bring on the Stripers!!

The one fish limit on blackfish continues, but Capt. Stan Zagleski put his regulars into hot release fishing Wednesday on his Elaine B II from Bahrs in Highlands as catches ran into the 30's of mostly legal tog by Big John Poraba of Pompton Lakes up to an 8 3 8-pounder by Mike Naipawer of Bloomingdale. Capt. Joe Massa, of My Three Sons from Morgan Marina, had a good variety trip on Wednesday as he caught blackfish, sea bass and porgies at Shrewsbury Rocks before adding a little tunny off Sandy Hook on the way back -- and ending with a double of school stripers off Keansburg.

Tony Arcabascio is happy to report the first 50-pound striper reported locally since the spring was boated Sunday on his 4 Tony Maja bunker spoon trolled by Capt. Ken Gallop of Big Kid from Brielle Yacht Club. Capt. Joe Bogan can't wait for the sea bass season to open on Saturday, when he'll run an extended open trip at 5 a. m. with his Jamaica II from Brielle.