JUST to show how spoilt we have been, there are some anglers and not a few commercial fishermen complaining how the fishing has gone off over the last week or so. The problem was that there was a rather rewarding run of wahoo during February and now this seems to be petering out. Boats are still managing five or six on a trip, which is not too shabby but the average size has dropped markedly.

Apart from the wahoo, the emphasis has been on bottom species with the hinds providing the bulk of the catch. For some reason, fishermen are not getting as many amberjack and bonitas as usual. There doesn't seem to be any reason for any lack of abundance of these species, so maybe it is just an overall decrease in directed effort. Chumming on the Banks, particularly the crown or other shallower areas often gets results as do live baits. Bermuda's edge is also a good place where even the deeper reef areas are home to some real trophy ambers in Bermuda waters and it just takes a bit of interest to catch them.

There is still no sign of any yellowfin tuna activity and although it might be argued that it is still early days it might not augur too well for the future. Generally, the tuna start to arrive on the offshore grounds in the early spring with numbers increasing as the summer progresses. Lack of tuna probably will have some effect on the abundance of billfish and this could have some far-reaching consequences if the tuna completely fail to show up.

Blackfin tuna seem to be resident year round but are more active during the warmer months. This species is also important as a food source for larger predators.

Other summertime species also serve as bait for marlin. Rainbow runners, mackerel and oceanic bonito are all important components of the billfish diet. While the runners and mackerel are pretty consistent, the oceanics vary from year to year. Because they range throughout the tropical and subtropical seas, the marlin do follow them and to find schools of them around the Island has to be good news.

Down to our south, the 29th Bacardi Billfish Tournament starts this weekend in Port Lucaya, Bahamas. Even though the fishing isn't always as hot as the organisers would like, there will be some fish caught and that is a good indicator that they are starting to make their way northward. Given that the Bahamas are about 1,000 miles south of us, a further six weeks should see the first blues slipping into the local area.

The Bermuda Game Fishing Association, made up of all the IGFA-affiliated angling clubs on the Island, and in consultation with a variety of sponsors, has now released the 2008 tournament schedule. It may come as a surprise to some people that a lot of work actually goes into coordinating the events that take place every year. Although individual clubs all have a pretty good handle on their own respective events, it is necessary for many of these events to fit in with other organisations' tournaments. Among the reasons for this is the simple fact that there are quite a few people who are members of more than one angling club. Similarly, there are the open events such as the Mid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament that draw participation from all the clubs as well as from the general public. So, things are not as simple as they might seem.

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Bermuda Game Fishing Association

2008 Tournament Schedule

May 4: Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (IGFA Affiliated Clubs)

May 4: Sandys Boat Club Tournament (OPEN)

May 18: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members and Guests)

May 18: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman First Round (Members Only)

May 25: Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (alternate) (IGFA Affiliated Clubs)

May 25: Sandys Boat Club Tournament (alternate) (OPEN)

May 25: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman First Round (alternate) (Members Only)

June 1: Bacardi Rum Fishing Tournament (OPEN)

June 8: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman Second Round (Members Only)

June 8: Bacardi Rum Fishing Tournament (alternate) (OPEN)

June 11-14: Brien/Pallot Fly Fishing Tournament (Invitational)

June 15: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman Second Round (alternate) (Members Only)

June 16 -20: Bermuda Anglers International Light Tackle Tournament (4 days fishing) (Invitational)

June 24: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman Second Round (alternate) (Members Only)

June 29: 54th Bermuda Regiment Annual Tournament (OPEN)

June 29: Bermuda Anglers Club Annual Tournament (Members Only)

June 29: Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (2nd alternate) (IGFA Affiliated Clubs)

June 29: Sandys Boat Club Tournament (2nd alternate)

July 3-6: Bermuda Blast Billfish Tournament (2 days fishing) (OPEN)

July 4: Blue Marlin World Cup (OPEN)

July 5-9: Bermuda Triangle Billfish Tournament (3 days fishing) (OPEN)

July 6: Bermuda Anglers Club Annual Tournament (alternate) (Members Only)

July 6: 54th Bermuda Regiment Annual Tournament (alternate) (OPEN)

July 9-13: Bermuda Big Game Classic (3 days fishing) (OPEN)

July 16-20: Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament (3 days fishing) (OPEN)

July 20: Robinson's Marina Annual Tournament (OPEN)

July 20: BWAC Golden Anniversary Tournament (OPEN)

July 27: Robinson's Marina Tournament (alternate) (OPEN)

July 27: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

July 27: BWAC Golden Anniversary Tournament (alternate)

August 10: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

August 10: Blue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament (OPEN)

August 17: Blue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament (alternate) (OPEN)

August 17: Flybridge Junior Tournament (OPEN)

August 24: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

August 31: Sea Horse Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

September 7: Mid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament (Residents)

September 7: Sea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament (Members Only)

September 7: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman Third Round (Members Only)

September 14: Mid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament (1st alternate) (Residents)

September 14: Sea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament (1st alternate) (Members Only)

September 14: BWAC Chairman v. Bar Chairman Third Round (alternate) (Members Only)

September 21: Mid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament ( 2nd alternate) (Residents)

September 21: Sea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament (2nd alternate) (Members Only)

September 21: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

October 5: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

November 2: Bermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament (Members & Guests)

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Even though many of us are landlocked or otherwise unable to get offshore we can, at least, plan our lives. As always, it is later than you think and there is the possibility that the fish may be keeping to a different agenda. It pays to be ready because when the angling kicks in, you want to be ready.

There are plenty of signs that spring may be early this year. The water temperature is somewhat higher than usual and we have been spared a lot of the inclement weather that so often characterises our winters. So, think about getting the gear out of mothballs and scheduling that service for the boat. At any time now, there may well be an opportunity to slide out and grab some Tight Lines!!!