Now that lobster season is out of the way, we can have some fun
Believe it or not, now is the time to plan your summer! April is upon us and, with the spring festivities just a couple of weeks away, the next thing you know, people will be expecting you to have the boat ready for May 24.
This may sound strange, given March’s leonine growlings of the past few days, but rest assured that the season is progressing at an advanced rate and that the fishing is, in fact, ahead of the calendar date.
As proof of such, the inshore waters are home to small schools of mackerel, jacks are starting to show up in the harbours and bays, and the limited offshore effort so far is pretty consistently producing wahoo and tuna. Quantities may not be at their best, but signs are encouraging and there is certainly some variety out there.
Increased effort now that the lobster season is all but over will provide a better picture of the offshore situation.
The Bermuda Game Fishing Association (BGFA) oversees the sport of game fishing on the Island and is affiliated with the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), which is the world governing body.
The local association compiles all the domestic line-class records and works with the IGFA and any anglers who seek to have their catches recognised as local or world records.
Another important task undertaken by this organisation is the co-ordination of the various competitions organised by the local angling clubs, other recreational bodies and corporate sponsors.
Although the actual dates and specifics are set by the tournament organisers themselves, the BGFA ensures that they are not run in conflict with each other and take into consideration that many anglers choose to take part in several events over the course of the season.
While allowances are made for the weather in most cases, quite a few tournaments allow for an alternate date and as many as two.
Their respective organisers decide on whether or not an event will be postponed and it is their responsibility to let the competitors know so that they can just enjoy some Tight Lines!
2014 BGFA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
May 4 Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members and Guests)
May 18 Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (IGFA-affiliated clubs)
May 18 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (members and guests)
May 25 Sandys Boat Club Tournament (Open)
June 1 Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (alternate date)
June 1 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (alternate date)
June 8 Bacardi Rum Fishing Tournament (open)
June 8 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (members and guests)
June 15-19 Bermuda Anglers International Light Tackle Tournament (open)
June 15 Bacardi Rum Fishing Tournament (first alternate date)
June 15 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (alternate date)
June 25-28 Brien/Pallot Fly Fishing Tournament (invitational)
June 22 58th Bermuda Regiment WO & Sgt’s Mess Annual Tournament (open)
June 22 Bacardi Rum Fishing Tournament (second alternate date)
June 22 Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (second alternate date)
June 22 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (second alternate date)
June 22 Sandys Boat Club Tournament (alternate date)
June 29 58th Bermuda Regiment WO & Sgt’s Mess Annual Tournament (alternate date)
June 29 BWAC 2013 Points Series Tournaments (members and guests)
June 29 Bermuda Anglers Club Annual Tournament (members only)
July 3-7 Bermuda Blast Billfish Tournament (open)
July 4 Blue Marlin World Cup (open)
July 6 Bermuda Anglers Club Annual Tournament (alternate date)
July 9–13 Bermuda Big Game Classic (open)
July 15-17 BWAC Members and SSAC 50th Tournament (members and guests)
July 16-20 Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament (open)
July 27 Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (members and guests)
Aug 9 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (members and guests)
Aug 17 Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (members and guests)
Aug 17 Bermuda Marlin Release Challenge (Bermuda boats only)
Aug 24 Bermuda Marlin Release Challenge (alternate date)
Aug 24 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (alternate date)
Aug 24 Bermuda Anglers Club Junior Tournament (open)
Aug 24 Sea Horse Anglers Club Fun Tournament (members and guests)
Sept 6 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (wahoo tournament, members only)
Sept 7 Royal Gazette Wahoo Tournament (residents)
Sept 7 Sea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament (members only)
Sept 14 Royal Gazette Wahoo Tournament (first alternate date)
Sept 14 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (alternate date)
Sept 14 Sea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament (first alternate date)
Sept 14 Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (members and guests)
Sept 21 Royal Gazette Wahoo Tournament (second alternate date)
Sept 21 Sea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament (second alternate date)
Sept 21 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (second alternate date)
Oct 5 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (members only)
Oct 5 Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (members and guests)
Oct 12 BWAC Bacardi 2013 Points Series Tournaments (alternate date)
Nov 2 Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (members and guests)
