Offshore fishing still remains an option for ling, sea bass, cod, porgies and even an occasional whiting. This is the week when most anglers take a break and go through a mental checklist. Make sure all your tackle is in order. The new plugs you bought at the last fishing show is on the top shelf of your tackle box. Don't forget to put that neweye on your pole that you busted off in the truck last year. Maybe you're feeling confident and put some lighter line on your reel this year. Do a walkthrough the shed or garage and get a visual check on all your equipment.All this preparation is to prepare yourself for what you have been waiting for.

March 1 opens striped bass fishing in the Garden State. Bait shops are stocking up on clams and worms. Most shops will start the season with a few promotional contests. First keeper checked in usually will get you some nice tackle and maybe your picture in the paper.Water temperatures are still a bit cold; usually we will need to see a spike in temperature over 40 degrees or so before they turn on. To find out where and when the first bass is weighed in, log on to www.NJSaltwaterfisherman.com.

Local Hi-Mar members escape the cold for an annual Costa Rica fishing trip.

My friends Ron McClelland, Bruce, Greg and Ryan enjoyed a week of rest, relaxation and they squeezed in some serious fishing. The Sandy Hook Hi-Mar gang fished out of Los Suenos, with Capt. Tom's sport fishing (www.captaintoms.com) for five days. The gang managed to fight mahi-mahi up to 45 pounds.

Bruce had a fight with a 200 pound blue marlin but lost.He didmanage to land three sailfish to make up for it. Ryan boated four sails and then lost count after that.

Their first catch of mahi-mahi was taken to a local restaurant that cooked it for them grilled, blackened and fried. They raised dozens of fish, snapped a few hundred pictures and shared dozens of stories and laughs.

The Hi-Mar Striper Club is the premier striped bass club in New Jersey. Most members focus their fishing on Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook area. The club is made of the areas best charter captains, family recreational fishermen, and individuals who want to make a difference in preserving our precious fishery for generations to come. To learn more about the club, log on to www.hi-mar.com.