While it is fairly apparent that summer is indeed here, there have been some positive developments over the last couple of weeks. The wahoo bite continues to please and, just recently, the yellowfin have put in a serious appearance down on the Banks.The wahoo run, such that it was, allowed the boats that were able to get amongst the fish to have some really good hauls. The problem, as always seems to be the case, is that the fish move rapidly and it is hard to predict where they will be the next day. The problem is really exacerbated when there is a day or so that boats can’t get out. Where the fish have moved to in that gap of time could be anybody’s guess and whoever finds them probably won’t be telling the competition until he has given them a good working over himself.So, after a few good days off the West End when lots of boats managed to get into double figures, the action slipped off to the east. The boats based down there had a good but brief flurry of activity before the pace slowed. The belief is that the schools of wahoo migrate clockwise around Bermuda’s Edge and then disperse throughout the local area where they can be encountered on a chance basis. Naturally enough, some fish will favour certain areas and those will remain the preferred fishing grounds for most of the summer.Rather than thinking about schools of fish, try thinking of individual fish all arriving at the same location independently of each other. Obviously, there is something there: bait, current conditions, water temperature or something, that they find attractive and well may results in a concentration of fish at that location. This sort of thinking probably provides an explanation for why there may be some considerable variety in the size of the fish caught at a given location. When fish school, they tend to be pretty much of a sameness, size-wise. If they are drawn to a spot for some other reason you may have everything from young of the year in the low ‘teens to some full-sized lunkers. With the catches that have been made recently, there have been a few small fish, a nice selection of 25 to 40 pounders and enough over 50 pounds to make life quite interesting indeed.The yellowfin tuna that have shown up seem to be ideal for light tackle line and this will be well received by the teams fishing next week’s International Light Tackle Tournament. This is the premier light tackle event with virtually all the fishing done on 12-lb test line or even lighter. Yellowfin in the 30 to 40 pound range are ideally suited to this type of fishing and, every so often, something a bit larger can make an impression. Those who have had first-hand experience will know what it is to hook into 50 pounds or more of yellowfin. These are powerhouses that strip off lots of line and then sound, making it hard work pumping the fish back toward the surface only to have the fish run down and deep again. To give an idea of just how challenging this can be, despite any number of highly skilled anglers that this Island has seen and the abundance of trophy light tackle yellowfin, no one has yet set a 12-lb test record over 100 pounds. Close but now a while ago was the 99lb 10oz yellowfin caught on 12-lb test by Andy Down back in September 1989.Don’t think that maybe all we get here is school-sized tuna with the odd large fish. Bermuda does experience runs of large yellowfin, usually during the summer. Many of the larger fish Bermuda records have been set in August and there is no shortage of tales of big ones making good their escape. Therein lies the other almost, but never quite, tale; the 200-pound mark has yet to be bettered. The current Bermuda 80-lb test record was set by Lawrence Madeiros back in August, 1985 with a 199lb 12oz yellowfin.So, there are a couple of challenges for you to ponder this summer.Given the way that things are, it looks really good for the Bacardi tournament slated for Sunday.This signature event has drawing excess of 50 boats and over 200 anglers who will all be out looking for the big one, be it a wahoo or tuna. The format for this event is very straightforward. The boats are classed according to length with a third category being reserved for commercially licensed boats. The rules of this tournament make one departure from those associated with other local events that sets it apart and makes it particularly attractive for occasional anglers who want to fish and not have to meet certain criteria that are usually the province of the more experienced.Although I.G.F.A. rules are to be adhered to, there are no line classes per se. There are species categories for wahoo and tuna and these are awarded to each boat category. There are also high point boat awards in each boat category with the main awards going to the overall tournament high point boat and to the overall high point angler based on the points accrued by his or her three best fish.With an encouraging weather forecast and some rather positive fishing reports, it is likely that there will be plenty of fish brought to the weigh-in at the Fairmont Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.This makes for a great spectator sport as both locals and tourists alike enjoy watching as each boat brings its captures to the weigh station. Knowledgeable pundits are saying it will take wahoo in the 60-pound or better bracket and similar or larger sized tuna to walk away with the prizes. Time will tell!Looking further ahead, the weekend of the 24-26th June will see the first of the billfish events with the Bermuda Release Cup. This tournament is based at Dockyard and is aimed at being a more family-friendly event than the serious big-money events that follow in July.It is broken down into two divisions: one for billfish and one for game fish. Participants can enter either one or both. As with the major billfish events the emphasis is on releasing the billfish. There are various provisions in the rules that allow for some family-friendly concessions to be made. In addition to attracting a somewhat different audience, the event is also a fundraiser for a local charity. Complete details can be had from the website www.BermudaReleaseCup.com.Plenty of action ahead: the tournaments come fast and furious now, whether your interest is in traditional Bermuda angling or in pursuit of goliath blue marlin. One thing is for sure, one way or another you’re in for some Tight lines!!!