It is getting hot; there is little doubt that summer is upon us. The rain is all but non-existent; something our neighbours to the east wish was their plight. The winds are moderate at best and the sea temperature is well into the range preferred by the tropical gamesters that we look forward to catching all summer.The only fly in the ointment seems to be that the fish still have not moved into the ‘pleasing” mode. While there are some fish out there and the odd decent catch is reported; for the most part, there is still rather a lot to be desired.Wahoo seem to be the mainstay and there have been a couple of notable catches. One boat apparently racked up seventeen fish in one trip and although most boats reported spotty action, it doesn't take too long to make a score if the doubles and trebles are made to count. Similarly, pulled hooks and cut aways can turn plentiful strikes into precious little in the fish box.For the tuna enthusiast, there are some on the offshore grounds although they aren't as numerous as they were a few weeks ago. The tuna that are there are mostly school-sized, up to about 30 pounds. More may be arriving on the offshore grounds but fishermen who have started out with monofilament rigs intended for tuna have, almost without exception, switched back to wire when the bait takers have turned out to be wahoo.The action has been scattered but the most productive indications seem to be Argus bank with the traditional trolling methods being the ones that work. Naturally everything can change at the drop of a hat, so it is probably best to be prepared for whatever may occur. The ability to detect the subtle changes can really make a difference but that is where experience comes in and there is only one way to get that.Now that the Charleston race sailboats should all have arrived and done their thing, the spaces at the yacht clubs will start to open up, soon to be occupied by the rakish floating gin palaces that are responsible for some of the world's leading billfishing. Wherever they may roam, these boats bring the equipment and, above all, the expertise that make the art of big game fishing what it is today. This is the stuff that the rest of us just read about so why do they come here.Basically, there are two reasons. The first is that Bermuda is easily accessible, enjoys good infrastructure, is safe compared to many places and boasts top class marlin action. Although we may not be the current hotspot for super large blue marlin, in the Atlantic, at least, we are up there. The numbers are nothing short of good and the fish are larger on average than many other venues.The second reason is more linked to commercial enterprise. The fact that the Bermuda Triangle Tournament and the Bermuda Triple Crown Series offer big money tournaments that tie in well with the Blue Marlin World Cup, make this pretty much one stop shopping for the big game tournament set. The timing of these events also fit in well with the onset of hurricane season when these boats do not want to be caught on an isolated offshore island. Still, it won't be long now that June is in the offing. Time does indeed fly and you can expect the marlin to put in an appearance at just about any time behind whatever bait you may have behind the boat.Just in case you weren't sure that the silly season is now upon us, try this one on for size. During the holiday reverie afloat in the Great Sound and the islands appurtenant to it, there were a number of reports of the sighting of a large fish (not a giant try 25 or 30 pounds) that was alleged to be a tuna. Several attempted, without success, to try to catch said fish. The question now is: is this for real or induced delusions or perhaps, merely mistaken identity.Now, to be fair, there have on rare occasions been respectable amberjack and some rockfish that would fit the size description. Moving into the longer category would be the rarer barracuda of extreme proportions, more likely tarpon and even more uncommonly cobia. Although sharks have been known to frequent those waters, the general description did not seem to be consistent with those other finny sort of denizens. To be sure, if that was the belief, the whole of Bermuda would probably have heard about it and there would have been nothing short of mayhem as children and not a few adults scrambled to get out of the water.There are tales of school-sized, almost frigate, blackfin being seen along the North Shore and mackerel being seen in Harrington Sound. Dolphin have also turned up in Flatts Inlet and Harrington Sound but these instances have been explained by the masses of seaweed driven into the inlet after heavy winds and the dolphin in question were not much more than larvae. These stories go back generations and given the pelagic nature of tuna, the mere thought of them invading the Great Sound seems unlikely. Having said that, reliable witnesses have sworn that they have seen true pelagic species in inshore waters. While some of these tales may be true, it is pretty difficult to put any credence in such observations without multiple sightings a bit like the Loch Ness Monster! It will probably take the catching of the suspect to allay suspicions and this is probably a rather remote possibility. Not only do most inshore anglers use gear pretty much inadequate for such fish but the fish itself (if it really is there) will be doing its best to get back to the high seas where it belongs, so it may not tarry long enough for someone else to have a crack at it.Looking ahead to the weekend, the Sandys Boat Club Tournament and the Blue Waters Anglers Chairman v. Bar Chairman Tournament are both slated to take place. Interested parties had better consult with the respective clubs to obtain entry forms and further details. The deadline for entries for the season's first and possibly foremost event, the Bacardi Rum, tournament is at hand, so would be participants should be guided accordingly.With the start of summer festivities behind us, it is time to get the barbeque off the boat and to start getting the fishing gear out of mothballs and back into action. After all, being a landlubber will not get you anywhere near any Tight lines!!!