THE hot, fast and fiercely competitive billfish season has come to a close. After a month of almost non-stop tournaments and plenty of effort put in on a daily basis by boats that made ocean crossings for the sole purpose of hunting marlin, things are gradually returning to normal. As the summer progresses and tropical weather activity increases, many boats will want to head for better shelter and the big, big money events that dot up and down the East Coast. That means that there will be increasing gaps in the mooring berths and an end to the socialising that has dominated this month.

Rounding out the tournament calendar was the three-leg Bermuda Triple Crown. This signature event had almost 60 boats take part in various segments and there was plenty of good fishing. All in all, the weather was cooperative and the fish quality noting short of excellent.

Although Rum Bum failed to catch any fish in the final leg, they had enough points stocked up from the first two tournaments (3,500 points from five blue marlin and five white marlin releases) to hang on for first place. Local boat, Queen of Hearts, skippered by Capt. Pete Olander, took second place in the Triple Crown, reiterating the need for all competitors to take the Bermuda boats seriously.

The third leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown was the Sea Horse Anglers Club Bermuda Billfish Tournament and this provided an exciting conclusion to the overall event. This tourney attracted 30 boats and the fishing continued to be at a good pace with 47 billfish being caught. These were primarily blue marlin although there were six whites and a spearfish in the mix. The majority of the fish were released with just two blues being boated over the three days. The quick calculation of the blue marlin index comes in at around 0.42, quite comparable to the rest of the month's fishing. This despite a slower second day when the weather took a bit of a turn for the worse.

When all was said and done the tournament was won by Southern Exposure which amassed 1,500 points, quicker than Capt. Olander's second place Queen of Hearts (also 1,500 points). Andrew Dias' Triple Play came in third with 1,400 points (two blues and two whites).

The jackpot winner was the visiting boat Smooth Operator that was the only boat to actually bring an eligible marlin to the dock. This was on the first day of the tournament and tipped the scales at 532 pounds.

The Other Gamefish award was won by Anita Jean with a 68-pound wahoo weighed in on the final day.

Much of the tournament excitement was deeply overshadowed by the shocking injury inflicted on Ian Card by a large blue marlin that charged the boat Challenger and actually came clear of the water and crossed the boat. In the process the fish's bill speared Ian and drove him overboard where, but for some quick thinking on his part, he was able to disengage himself from the fish and avoid almost certain drowning.

Although, happily, there is plenty for many to be thankful for the outcome of this near run incident, it is very disheartening to hear the large number of facetious remarks doing the rounds. All too often things like "finally, the fish won one" have been heard. While some of this can be dismissed as a feeble attempt to engender humour, there is a much deeper sense of poignancy that should be shared by all, regardless of personal feelings relating to the pursuit of big-game angling.

Few people who lack the requisite experience can imagine just how slim the line is between survival and tragedy.

And all too often from people who have no idea what they are talking about; having no clue as to what happens at sea. All sorts of things happen in fractions of seconds and without any warning. These range from mechanical difficulties to equipment failures to loose gear caroming around the deck causing mayhem.

The really sad thing is that these same people watch programmes on television that highlight industrial commercial fishing such as the Bering Sea crab fishery. When a crew member is lost overboard or a boat is lost with all hands, the tragedy is obvious and seldom fails to move the viewer. What is it that changes the perception when something hits really close to home; to an individual who is known to the community with a family that is well known.

A charter boat deckhand or mate is engaged in an equally honest profession that is hard and sometimes dangerous work. One must wonder what the public reaction would be if a mate were injured while catching a wahoo or tuna. It is very unlikely that anyone would speak with such jocularity on hearing of any loss of life at sea. It is to be hoped by all that tragedies can be avoided by all. Enough said.

August beckons and with it, the memories of long, hot days and ocean doldrums. Although the marlin will still be cruising the depths in good numbers, the effort will be much reduced as chummers seek to find some tuna or wahoo to provide a bit of sport. Unfortunately, the yellowfin tuna are not particularly numerous at the moment and trolling for wahoo can be a fuel costly alternative.

On the plus side of things there is usually plenty of small game and species such as blackfin tuna offer some good light tackle action.

Yellowtail snapper action should be good, especially as this species does not attract the effort that it used to. They provide some top class fillets and it is usually quite feasible to catch enough to allow you to stash a bit in the freezer.

Working down deeper, over the reefs, Almaco jacks and amberjack should be coming into their own. Live robins fished deep are the ideal means for eliciting a strike from a trophy fish and it pays to remember that larger ambers often travel in pairs or small groups. Occasionally the other fish will follow the hooked fish right to the boat. Leave the hooked fish in the water until you can get a baited hook to the free-swimming one. Similarly, if you catch a nice amber while drifting remember to re-run the drift just in case there is a companion fish involved.

The shore fishing is at its best with plenty of pompano, barracuda and bonefish off the sandy beach areas. Casting a light spinning rod from the beach allows you to combine a bit of summertime beaching and picnicking with fishing.

If serious angling is the intention, then August is a good time to catch up with chores and readying the house and boat for any hurricanes that may swing this way over the next couple of months. Basically, the best fishing action has either been or is yet to come.

Later on in the month, the juniors' tournaments come into fashion. Details will follow in due course. It won't be until the following month that the last of the season's major tournaments will grab the attention of the adult anglers. Many of these latter will suddenly come to grips with the fact that it will be getting on for their last chance this year to seize some Tight lines!!!