THE improving weather is seeing more consistent effort on the part of the commercial boats and even some of the charterboats are starting to roll. It is with such effort that the weekend angler can start to get a handle on what is happening offshore.

At the moment although the indications are good, the action is not as fast as it might be. In fact, it is the sort of level that is usually associated with a bright moon that allows the fish to feed at night. In case you hadn't noticed it was new moon just a few days ago so that is clearly not the case.

A more plausible explanation might be that the bait of choice is down deep and the fish are out of sight plundering those poor critters. This can sometimes be substantiated by a good graphic depth sounder that will show a fairly solid layer at about 100 metres. Down there the sun doesn't shine but the fish can feed using the same rather remarkable sensitivity that allows a school of thousands of densely packed fish to move almost as a single unit, never one touching another.

Now, it should be fairly obvious that fish with good eyesight like wahoo and tuna are really geared to feed during the daylight hours but then again if there is not much to feed on then other avenues must be explored. At the moment, there does not appear to be a whole lot of surface bait around. More flying fish or some flying squid could alter that situation in an instant but it would appear that that has yet to happen.

On a point of interest, the flying squid that often spread a rainbow light sheen over the surface of the ocean are actually juveniles of a squid that attains a fair size, say a couple of feet and spends most of its life down in the dark depths. It is only in their infancy that they school up and travel in waters lit well enough for the tuna and wahoo to tear into the schools, wreaking mayhem and destruction.

The wahoo are providing the bulk of the offshore action and the fish are certainly worth putting in the effort for. Numbers are erratic but some boats have managed double figures. The average size of the fish is pretty good but this will gradually fall as the season progresses. Although the Banks have received the greatest interest, areas like the northwest Bermuda's Edge, Sally Tucker's and off Nor'east Pointers often provide some good early season action. This is especially true if you can get there alone or if there are just a couple of boats working over that piece of bottom. The old adage about "sticking to the wicket" often has a lot of credence at this time of the year.

Tuna are predominantly found on the Banks and some yellowfin will take trolls. Again, the recent decrease in activity is probably due to the fish seeking better pastures away from the surface. Of course, this can change rapidly and tomorrow might see some heated action. Another useful tactic could be some early season chumming. If the tide is right, the bait will eventually sink down to where the fish may be feeding and it would be unusual for any tuna to pass on a free smorgasbord. It is also worth bearing in mind that many of the summertime small game species are, in fact, bait for the larger gamesters. Rainbow runner is a good example. While these make for good light tackle action, they are also a choice food of marlin, wahoo and tuna. The same can be said of little tunny (mackerel) and blackfin tuna. The latter has been established as the preferred food of blue marlin in the western Atlantic. As the game arrives in the local vicinity, the angling will improve markedly on an almost exponential basis. Any time now.

It may be of some interest to local anglers to learn that for only the sixth time in it's 64-year history, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has elected a new president. At a meeting held in Palm Beach, Florida, the IGFA trustees elected Robert "Bob" Kramer of Tallahassee, Florida as president on the 21st March 2003.

Kramer was previously with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission where he had dedicated seven years to improving aquatic education in Florida schools and in introducing angling to women and children. He was also involved in conservation education and in promoting research. He is also the founder and secretary treasurer of a non-profit institution called the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling, Inc. This body is dedicated to providing fishing opportunities and conservation information to Florida's citizens.

Kramer's background includes a bachelor's degree in physical geography with a minor in chemistry from Florida State University.

Kramer replaces Michael Leech who became president in 1993 following Elwood K. Harry. Leech will remain as IGFA ambassador-at-large and continue to be involved in conservation issues and fund raising.

Readers of fishing magazines will have seen the many letters and articles written by Leech that have emphasised the role of sport fishing in conservation and decrying the inordinate pressure put on American fisheries management by the commercial industry. On occasion he has also taken issue with such international bodies as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in terms of their management measures taken on pelagic game fish.

Although most local anglers recognise the IGFA as the international body responsible for maintaining the record books for angling feats, the organisation is actually considerably more far-reaching than that. It is involved in promoting angling in over 120 countries around the world, encouraging conservation and supporting research.

Locals who travel to Florida should note that the IGFA Headquarters is located in Dania Beach, close to Fort Lauderdale. This includes the IGFA Hall of Fame and Fishing Museum that showcases the history of angling and boasts everything from fishing artefacts from yesteryear, conservation measures and wildlife art. It is open daily and is well worth seeing even if you are not particularly angling-inclined.

It is later than you might think. You have probably already missed out on this weekend and, you can already discount next weekend because it includes Good Friday when you will not be fishing and Easter Sunday when you probably won't be allowed to go fishing. That leaves just one more weekend before the calendar turns over another leaf and it is May. Then the pressure will be on to have the boat shipshape and Bristol-fashion for the 24th and then it will be high summer and the best of the early season trolling will be long since over.

In other words, it is high time to get on with it. Especially before the May rush sees all the boatyards, slips, trailering services and mechanics overstretched and it is difficult to arrange to get anything done. Just remember that there are lots more pleasure craft than the minority that are used for recreational fishing. Anglers' boats are just some of the many and they have to wait their turn. Unfortunately the angling season is like the tide, waiting for no one and you don't want to have to wait until July for your Tight lines!!!