LOOK on the bright side. There has been a bit of breeze and some much-needed rain but winter is almost over. Oh, yes, there is plenty of time for Mother Nature to throw all sorts of gales and high seas at us, but May is barely nine weeks away. Generally, we can expect to see improving conditions by mid-March as the days grow longer and the water temperature starts to rise. Considering that so far, the sea has not been as cold as it can be; there are signs of an early spring. Signs such as these should be treated with caution but the indications may well be real. Keeping a finger on the pulse of the offshore action is the best measure of how things are progressing.

Wahoo continue to please albeit unpredictably. Fish are being caught all around on Bermuda's Edge and on both Banks. The problem is locating a concentration and then putting in the effort needed to rack up a decent haul. It seems that the fish are on the move because going back to where the action was yesterday will probably see that the fish have departed and the search has to commence again.

Tuna are still uncommon but this may well be because the expected schools of small to mid-sized fish have not arrived here yet. Popular knowledge has the fish spawning in the tropics and then moving northward to the limits of their range with this latter including Bermuda. Once here, they may well remain until caught or further migrations take them elsewhere. We now await their arrival or else face a lacklustre summer. Remember that tuna aren't just a sport fisherman's target species; they are also the staff of life for big blue marlin, something else we like to see on the offshore grounds.

Something else that sometimes show up and can make for some good action is an influx of small mackerel. Larger than the autumnal frigates, these fish are small enough to be used for live baits. Often common into April and May, these live baits attract attention from larger wahoo that may be mixed in with the school fish as they put in appearance. Once May approaches, this technique needs to be watched carefully because you can be sure you won't be the first to have a most unexpected blue marlin snatch the offering. And at that time of the year, the fish is likely to be of a respectable size. In the meantime, however, this can be the tactic that produces larger than average wahoo. It can also make for some exciting trolling because there is usually an almighty explosion when a hefty 'hoo hits the bait.

Other than wahoo, the main species being caught are bottom fish with a few "floating fish" making for variety. Ambers, bonitas and gwellys are all available and they can liven up the proceedings when some bottom-bouncing pays off with a surprise.

The Bermuda Game Fishing Association is currently trying to finalise the 2008 tournament schedule and it is expected that this will be published shortly, allowing many of us to plan our lives over the next few months. Casual anglers probably have no idea how much work goes into drafting such a calendar. Not only are there lots of club events to be scheduled in but there are also the big billfish events (a whole month worth of those!) and international tournaments, the sponsored events such as the Bacardi and Mid-Ocean Wahoo Tournament ¿ and all of these need to be coordinated with overseas events that attract participation from prominent local anglers. The fact that virtually every weekend from May until September has an event or, occasionally, more than one event scheduled is evidence of the number of events that dominate the local angling scene.

Not too long ago, the International Game Fish Association announced that it would no longer be running the IGFA Offshore Championship after this year's event. Now this event stands to grow even larger, thanks to IGFA announcing a new partnership with the Bonnier Marine Group. The championship, which began in 2000, has grown into the sport's premiere offshore fishing series. To be invited to this prestigious event, teams must win one of the many qualifying tournaments located around the world. This year's championship has 130 qualifying teams from 38 countries. So far, 66 teams have actually signed up for the event at Los Cabos, Mexico.

Now, you probably have not heard of the Bonnier Marine Group. Truth to tell, you do know them but by another name. Bonnier Group is the publisher of recreational boating and fishing's most respected and well-known titles such as Marlin, Sport Fishing and Salt Water Sportsman, and currently produces fishing tournaments in Bermuda, Mexico and the US.

Bonnier Group will take on the management side of the championship starting with the 2009 event. The IGFA will remain the championship's sole non-profit benefactor. A fundraiser and auction for the IGFA will be held at the championship and Bonnier will make a charitable donation to the IGFA following each year's event. The championship will continue to use the first-class amenities and boats of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as its host location. Bonnier will support the championship by providing advertising space in its magazines, creating a dedicated World Offshore Championship website and televising the championship on its Sport Fishing Magazine TV show.

Perhaps not so surprisingly, the tournament director and event producer will be Dan Jacobs. He is the gentleman who has organised the Bermuda Big Game Classic and Bermuda Blast tournaments and is well-known to local anglers.

The IGFA says the new partnership will allow the organisation to concentrate on its core programmes, namely conservation and angler education. IGFA staff will provide information about angling rules, conservation programmes and check tackle on site at the championship. This way, anglers can learn the benefits of marine conservation and bring those messages back to their home waters. The IGFA argues that this tournament, with its all-release format using non-offset circle hooks, is a conservation tool itself. Many anglers going to the event have not previously fished an all-release tournament and it is hoped that they can export what they've learned back to their home countries.

Although Bermuda is well-versed in catch and release fishing, any increase in the practice can only help to improve the state of the billfish stocks from which we should all eventually benefit.

Despite the winter malaise, thought should now be given to ensuring that the boat and gear are ready for the forthcoming season. As you all know, time flies by and, sooner than you think, it will be time for Tight lines!!!