FYI...Here's what Al Ristori had in today's Star Ledger:

"Bonus permits online only
Not only will Striped Bass Bonus Program permits once again be available on a same-day basis by going online this year, but that's now the only way to obtain them.

The bonus permit allows an angler to keep a third striper of 28 inches or more per day in addition to the daily limit of two at 28-plus inches. New Jersey's quota of 224,015 pounds is derived from the state's commercial quota, based on landings prior to the no-sale law being passed.
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In order to obtain permits, visit the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife website at njfishandwildlife.com. Those permits are nontransferable, must be signed upon receipt and are valid only for 2008.

If a striper is retained under this program, the permit must be completed immediately and prior to transportation. Then it must be reported online at wildlifelicense.com. A $2 fee will be charged to receive a replacement permit.

In this era of catch-and-release angling, many fishermen don't bother obtaining the permit as they have no need for so much meat. The quota is never filled, and the balance is basically a conservation bonus of bass that would be netted in other states if New Jersey didn't have the program. Commercial states have attempted to get that quota dropped back into the commercial pool in order to increase their shares.

Anglers will also be able to voluntarily report their striper catches this year by using the online system to obtain a log form. Peter Clark outlined that voluntary program at Tuesday's state outdoor writers meeting in Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. The log page will provide data needed by the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program that's working in collaboration with the state.

It's important to record all days targeting stripers, even if none are caught, and to measure all fish. The forms will be mailed in at the end of the season. An online reporting form is being developed.

Capt. Bobby Bogan begins a new schedule for his Gambler from Point Pleasant on Saturday. He'll be fishing wrecks to the south for large blackfish on Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Fridays and Sundays will be devoted to working 20- to 40-mile wrecks for cod, pollock and ling.

Capt. Stan Zagleski is finally out of winter dockage and back at Highlands for daily flounder fishing with Elaine B. at 7:30 a.m., except for Sundays when he'll seek blackfish at 7 a.m.

Capt. Hal Hagaman's Sea Tiger II is now sailing daily half-day flounder trips out of Atlantic Highlands.

Capt. Chris Hueth is sailing daily from Belmar for blackfish and ling with his Big Mohawk.

Chris Salus at Crabby's Tackle in Keyport reports his $25 gift certificate for the first striper weighing at least 15 pounds is still up for grabs. Short bass are being caught, but there have been no larger fish so far. On the other hand, boaters working the Keyport flats have been doing well with flounder. Some anglers even catch 10-flounder limits. One customer told Salus he started with a slow pick before chumming heavily with mussels and clams for a four-man limit. The bait was sandworm tipped with a small piece of clam.

TOP CATCHES
Capt. Pete Wagner wound up fishing with his Dream Girl at Los Suenos, Costa Rica, before returning to start bass fishing Saturday with Hyper Striper from Twin Lights Marina in Highlands. Walter Palmer concluded his trip with a 240-pound blue marlin plus five sailfish up to 120 pounds, and dolphin. John Alexander from Middletown started with four sails to 120 pounds, then added three dolphin up to a 50-pound bull, before feeding spinner dolphins were located and 10 yellowfin tuna in the 25-pound class were pulled out from among them. To top the day off, two live baits fished around a floating log produced a double hook-up with a sailfish that was quickly released, while a 350-pound-class blue marlin took an hour to release on 40-pound line. Wagner's last day was no good for marlin, but 10 sails were released. A recent six-day period produced a total of 14 marlin releases along with 52 sails.

The Cape May Fishing Flea Market will be held Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cape May Convention Hall. Tables are $35, and anyone wishing to display can contact Dave DeGennaro at (609) 660-7650. The dates for the third annual Liberty Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby are actually May 9-10; the dates listed in Friday's column were from the 2007 brochure. Twin Lights Marina in Highlands has been added as a weigh-in station this year. The entry fee of $25 per angler applies through May 1, and then becomes $40. Sign up at HRFA.us. Secret Spoons has added the new 7-inch, 7-ounce mini-spoon that can be trolled with mono, braid or wire, and adjusted to get perfect action. That spoon can be used at various speeds, and has the same seductive swimming action as the 9-inch original. For information, visit www.secretspoons.com."