It has been a good long time since anyone has seen a February such as this one and, now that March is nearly upon us, the thoughts of lions and lambs must be occurring. Certainly there have been numerous opportunities to get offshore, even though experience has probably convinced most that there has to be a gale or two in the very near future. So far, though, things have held and warm, sunny days with light winds have been the theme.

Although it appears that the season is progressing considerably more quickly that it normally would, there is no reason not to take advantage of a species that is ever-increasingly getting a bit of a free ride. Although it has declined in popularity over the past couple of generations, there is no doubt that it is a valuable food fish and offers a good return on a minimal fuel and time expenditure. So, if you are not tied up getting the boat ready for the forthcoming season, then consider going out after porgy — it’s a big bang for the buck!

Porgy is locally a term applied to a number of different species all of which have had their place in the local market. With the abolition of fish pots, at least one species, the smallest one no longer is seen much any more. It was never more than a pound or so and usually had yellowish tinges to it. Then there were more silvery ones that might make it to three or four pounds.

These can get larger and are occasionally caught on hook and line, usually in the inshore areas or over the shallower reefs. But the real “porgy” is the big one — the jolthead porgy; locally, the blue-boned porgy, which is the basis for a classic chowder.

While by no means a game fish, the average porgy is between seven and ten pounds. They do get larger and, apart from providing a big, bony rack, make for two large, firm white-meat fillets. Figuring a one-third yield on average, this means something in excess of 2lbs of pure meat from each fish. It does not take too many fish to feed the average family and maybe, even stash something in the freezer.

Where can this wonderful beast be obtained? Well, it is simpler than you may think and a lot closer to home. The venue is the inner bottom, in that region so often referred to as the “porgy holes”. These occur as a result of the contrast between the dark reefs and the white sandy bottom areas between the various coral heads.

Imagine this sandy area as a system of roadways between the reefs and the strategy for this type of fishing becomes simple.

Although they are loosely classified as “reef fish”, porgies are more associated with the sandy pathways between the reefs than they are with the reefs themselves. They spend their time wandering between the reefs, stopping to pick off sea urchins and other tasty morsels as they go along.

The technique for catching porgies used to be a bit of a speciality, but, in more recent years, it seems to have died out. The judicious use of a waterglass can be a great help, although it is not necessary to ensure success.

The object of the exercise is to place the weighted bait in between the reefs, somewhere on the sandy bottom and to await a bite. That is where the element of patience comes in. Rest assured, a porgy or two will eventually happen along and when that happens, it is all but a given.

While awaiting a porgy to happen along, coneys, barbers, small hinds and occasionally a real prize like a rockfish will venture away from the reef to nibble at the hook-bearing offering. Just going on feel will have the angler jerking at everything and this practice will catch its fair share of whatever is down there. The advantage of being able to see down there will allow the monitoring of the approach and the almost certain bite from an itinerant porgy.

Once hooked, a few hefty pulls on the hand line will get it up to the surface and into the boat. One could wind up the reel, but the water is usually only about 40 feet deep. A couple of consecutive arm-over-head moves and it is a done deal.

And that is a source of amusement to many because, during such operations, it is common to see a rod-and-reel outfit worth the best part of $2,000 sitting in a rod holder in a gunwale, with the line twirling off the rod tip into the hands of an angler whose concentration is solely bent on the terminal end of the line in hopes of attracting a bite from whatever might dwell down there. Not much but a load of cash to set him apart from the person who for years has been doing the same thing with a basic hand line.

No matter how it is done, this project is a pretty certain way of capturing at least a couple of decent porgies, which will provide some nice fresh fish in addition to the chowder-makin’s. Best of all, it is easy enough for children to actively take part. It can all take place close to home using a small amount of fuel and allow for retreat from sudden changes in the weather. All in all, on a pleasant winter’s day a fine source of Tight Lines!!!