It may be a lot later than you think. Something that has gone unnoticed by many casual observers of nature is the considerably warmer than normal temperatures that the Island has been experiencing. There have been daily highs this past week that are just short of record-breaking and, if you think back, it has not been cold for most of the month that is now behind us.

Apart from the fashionistas, who have had to leave some of their trendy winter wear in the closet or drawer, such a weather reversal can have far-reaching consequences. Some of these are already apparent to the Island’s flora, which is showing signs of spring-like activity. Even some of the birds have moved into nesting mode. Unless February throws up some real shockers, there is every likelihood of an early spring followed by a long, hot and dry summer.

And this has what to do with fishing? Actually, plenty. First off, it is the sudden drop in water temperature that seems to trigger the movement of spiny lobsters from the offshore into the shallower reef areas where most of the lobster fishermen spend the bulk of their winters. Two normal reasons for this: the natural migration of large lobsters into the inshore; and, two, the heavy winter seas can play havoc with the gear set on the edge of the drop-off, causing lost traps or some that end up pretty well destroyed because of the mechanical damage that being repeatedly bounced against the rocks can wreak.

If the water does not cool to the temperatures in the low sixties, then, as the sun warms things up, temperatures will rise more rapidly and, quite possibly, to higher than usual. In the long run, this can have an impact on the hurricane season, with those particular tropical phenomenon really favouring warmer waters and shying away from cooler areas.

The fish will also respond to the water temperature and, unless there is a marked change over the next couple of weeks, the offshore temperature will also rise and the various season influxes will commence. The first of these are pretty subtle, occurring in the plankton and at the bait level, but it will not take too long for the predators to follow suit and it would come as no surprise to see normal spring activity commence in early March.

You have been warned, so do not tarry. This year is showing all the signs of an early start to the fishing season and it will pay to be ready when the fish are.

As for the moment, there continue to be some wahoo around and the yellowfin that are already here will probably not leave: the water is right about where they like it, temperature-wise, and there is enough bait around to keep them fed. While neither may move into heavy feeding mode and be interested in tearing your trolling spread apart, it should be possible to manage a mixed bag that will satisfy the needs of most individual households for a few weeks.

The sporting aspect of this sort of fishing is pretty much non-existent, as the “hook and hold” mentality is the dominant one when fish are scarce. The 12lb and 20lb rigs will probably stay in the rod racks, although there is no real reason why they cannot be rigged up with smaller baits or even daisy chains on the off chance that there are some juvenile mackerel or, better yet, blackfin tuna around. Any such things caught on light line and can always be put out on something heavier because live baits work well, at any time of the year.

The serious sports fishermen should remember that this is probably the best time of the year to pursue amberjack and what we call bonita. The latter are actually Almaco jack and these are also recognised IGFA game species, which are the purview of specialists all over the range of these species.

In Bermuda, both species grow to large sizes and they are fairly predictable as evidenced by the numbers caught by the commercial operators working the Banks. The problem is that the gear and the rigs used for commercial bottom-fishing are simply not suited for trophy ambers or bonitas. It is not that such gear cannot or will not catch the fish, it is just that such rigs are mostly disqualified for record consideration.

Two fish on a single line cannot qualify, so what happens if you have a really nice amber on the hook along with a hind and a coney? About the best you can expect is to wind up with a handsome-looking fish box but no potential record, no matter how large the amber turns out to be.

So merely gearing up a single-hook rig for fishing just above the bottom is the first step in trying for an amber or bonita that at the very least may score some points for club competitions. The ultimate chance will come from a live bait that is fished down deep. Live robins are good, but do not discount using a live mackerel. Amberjack and their relatives, although thought of as bottom fish, will come right up to the surface to take a bait. In fact, both species have been caught on trolled lines intended for wahoo or tuna, so mackerel or flying fish are not unknown to them.

The use of lighter tackle is more likely to result in a record fish, but, just so that you know: for local records, the 6lb test record is 30lbs; on 8lb test you will need a fish better than 47lbs; the 16lb test class is vacant (what an opportunity!); better than 76lbs on 12lb test, then 119lbs on 20lb test and even bigger on 30lb test. Requirements are a bit more reasonable on 50lb test, at 92lbs, and the sky is the limit on anything heavier with the existing marks at better than 155lbs! Catch any of these on just about any tackle and you will surely have some Tight Lines!!!