Well, for once, there is some really good news.

The presence of “frigate” mackerel has been confirmed and the wahoo catches are starting to reflect this.

Strictly speaking, it has been a few years since the arrival of the live baits and the predators in numbers have coincided, so many fishermen are trying to take full advantage of what is usually a short-lived phenomenon.

Not that it has actually hit its stride yet. The bulk of the bait seems to be on Bermuda’s Edge and the wahoo seem to be primarily on the Banks.

This appears to be true of the larger fish at least.

There were reports of one commercial fisherman who used the live bait on the southwestern Edge and Sally Tucker’s point and was rewarded with some success, although the majority of the fish were smaller than one might expect for this time of the year.

Traditional trolling is paying off as well.

With the fish on the move, trolling catches consist of mostly of wahoo, punctuated with a few yellowfin tuna and occasionally a blackfin tuna or dolphin for variety.

Wahoo numbers range up to about a maximum of eight with several boats catching fours and sixes.

Size wise, 25 to 30-pounders seem the norm but there have been some that were considerably larger. The tuna are generally in the 30 to 60-pound bracket.

Anyone contemplating trying for frigate mackerel needs to run a daisy chain or sequence of small lures or feathers together, much like the mackerel feathers that are used farther north for what are properly termed Atlantic mackerel.

This creates the illusion of a small school of bait and if there is a school of frigates around, they will all rush in and have a go.

The expected result is at least three or four small false albacore (a more correct name for the “mackerel” in question).

The trick is to get them out of the ocean as quickly as possible because the predators are quick to take them right off the daisy-chain without so much as a “by you leave”.

Once secured, the bait can be rigged in a number of ways. The old-fashioned quick rig was to put two hooks lightly through the fish’s skin taking care not to hit the backbone and paralyse the creature.

The better method, apparently developed in Hawaii, is to use a needle to run a line through the fish’s eye socket ahead of the eye and that is tied on to a lead hook.

A trailer hook can be attached to the fish’s tail with an elastic band.

This way the bait can last for a very long time, particularly if it is trolled on a deep troll which keeps it immersed in the water.

From an outrigger, the bait may bounce too much and become less effective.

Interestingly, a dead bait that is fished alongside one or more live baits will often also draw strikes.

Presumably the predators are aware of the stress signals emanating form the live bait but might well encounter the dead bait first which still fits the description and absorbs the strike.

On a most encouraging note, given the setbacks that local angling has had this year between the weather and various other glitches, the organisers have seen fit to announce that they are in fact holding The Wahoo Tournament.

This event that started a few years ago, and which was very well received, was on the verge of cancellation this year when the change of heart resulted in its being reinstated.

It is to be fished next Sunday from 7am until 4pm with the weight-in taking place at Robinson’s Marina from 4pm until 6.30pm with a dock party to follow.

In the event of inclement weather, the alternate date is the following Sunday, October 22. The entry fee is $100 and there is an optional Calcutta for those who feel extra lucky.

Entries are to be made online to thewahootournametn@gmail.com with a deadline of 5pm next Saturday.

There are prize categories for the largest wahoo overall, the largest wahoo on tackle 30-pound test and over and another for those fishing 16 and 20-pound test lines.

There are also awards for the top amateur boat and top professional boat.

There is a special category in this tournament this year.

This is a 12-pound line test only category and is by invitation only as it is geared for serious anglers.

The inaugural Niel Jones Memorial Cup will be open only to members of the recognised angling clubs.

The eligible angler catching the largest wahoo on that line test, which will consequently also be the high point fish in that category, will win this trophy which is dedicated to the memory of one of the Island’s foremost light tackle anglers.

Perhaps, best of all, this gives the Island’s anglers a competitive finale to a season that has been lacklustre at best.

This is he time of year when the wahoo should be at their best in terms of both quantity and quality.

With a very real potential for a supply of live baits, there should be no reason for not getting Tight Lines!!!