BILLFISH mania is about to commence. All sorts of craft, both local and foreign, will spend much of the next month dragging lures and baits over the deep blue briny that surrounds this island and the offshore Banks. Thousands of gallons of diesel fuel will be burnt in pursuit of what many consider to be the greatest of all game fish, the blue marlin.

In recent years the island has become a hot spot for blue marlin with a special emphasis on large fish. Whether or not this is really a new phenomenon is unclear.

For sure, it has long been known that the fish were regular summertime visitors to the area but no one really seems certain if they were as abundant as they seem to be at present or if the fish themselves were actually as large as they seem to be today.

Of course, effort back then was a fraction of what is expended today and the boats are fishing tackle are far better suited to the pursuit of giant fish but the question remains.

Is the present rate of success, combined with quality, something that will eventually decline, perhaps as part of some greater cyclical event? A useful comparison may be made with the island of Madeira in the eastern Atlantic.

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was the place to go for a shot at a grander and other large blue marlin. After some years of success, things just petered out with the serious marlin hunters opting to go in search of more fruitful grounds.

This begs the obvious question: Could the same thing happen here?

In any event, although blue marlin are being seen and caught just about every day, the action is not sizzling hot just yet. Fish in the 250 to 450-pound range are fairly commonplace and there is at least one monster out there.

This particular marlin was seen to help itself to a wahoo that was being wound in by a commercial fisherman; much to the latter's frustration.

An upswing in effort with the arrival of more foreign battlewagons and greater interest on the part of locals who are infected with marlin fever may well see improved action.

Adding zest to this pastime are the big money tournaments that are set to be fished in July. The Bermuda Blast starts on Sunday with two days of fishing slated for July 3 and 4. The latter is fished coincidentally with the Blue Marlin World Cup with Bermuda once again being tipped as the area most likely to produce the winning fish.

Almost immediately after the Blast is the Bermuda leg of the Bermuda Triangle Series. This will be fished from the July 7 through 9 and it appears that the organisers are in need of qualified observers. Interested IGFA certified observers are invited to attend the Captain's meeting at the RBYC the night before the tournament commences.

Those who are believers in the effect of the lunar cycle on billfishing will note that the full moon in July is on the 10th.

WHILE June has probably always been the best month for whites in Bermuda, for some reason there seem to be rather a lot of white marlin around this year. These often take trolls meant for wahoo and they have no qualms about coming right up on to the Edge to take a bait.

The tuna activity has been spotty with the south-eastern side of Challenger Bank proving to be the most reliable spot at which to try your luck. There are a few nice yellowfin in the 60 to 80-pound range but they are far from numerous. Fish in the 40-pound bracket are more common but, put bluntly, the chumming for tuna is simply not as good as it might be.

The wahoo have started on their summer break with the few fish around firmly falling into the "lizard" description. Fish of as little as ten pounds have been reported, so putting in anything other than the most cursory trolling effort is likely to be counterproductive even if you do get a couple of strikes.

For some reason, during the summer months the only really large wahoo seem to be caught out in the deep where they are sometimes encountered by anglers seeking marlin. Dragging a smaller bait or lure while travelling across the Churn to the Banks might get the attention of any 'hoo cruising the deep and there is also the chance of a dolphin springing up out of nowhere.

Chumming on the Bank and over the deeper reef areas around the Island will get up all sorts of small game. Barracuda are becoming more numerous and there is no shortage of robins. These can be used as live baits for just about everything from the 'cudas through blackfin tuna to billfish.

Rainbow runners sometimes are large enough to take entire live robins and even large ocean triggerfish (turbot) have been known to gnaw on such live offerings.

Jacks, mackerel and bonita round out the likely attendees to any decent chum slick and with such it should be possible to get enough fresh fish to satisfy most anglers' needs.

The BFCAT tournament scheduled for last Sunday was postponed yet again on the basis that it really was too rough for the smaller boats that often take part in this competition. No date has been set for this year's competition and with the number of tournaments on the calendar it may prove difficult to include elsewhere.

Far better suited to the average angler is this Sunday's Bermuda Regiment tournament. Although the closing date was earlier this week, late entries will be accepted at Warwick Camp up until 4 p.m. today.

Sunday, July 9, is the date for the Third Annual Robinson's Marina Fishing Tournament. This is a community event with a fish fry scheduled for after the weigh-in and a variety of special events.

This tournament should appeal to the mass of regular anglers who just want to catch something. There are categories for inshore and offshore fishing with prizes for the largest fish of several species.

There is a shark category and although blue marlin are not eligible, white marlin can qualify for an award. Even age groups have been taken into consideration with the recent addition of a Masters (over 65 years) category to the regular and junior classifications.

All forms and the requisite entry fees must be submitted to Robinson's Marina by 8 p.m. on Monday, July 3. Late registration will be from July 4-6 but these will incur a late fee. Still, better late than never when it comes to Tight lines!!!