AH, the passage of a cold front has brought the first of the really winter season conditions. Although not particularly awful, the pattern is apparent. The south-easterly breeze quickly becomes gale-like from the southwest and west before blowing itself out. All in all, none of this is likely to encourage a weekend warrior to even look at the boat, much less venture offshore.

This is all a bit of a shame because there are still some fish around; enough to make a few hours' trolling worthwhile. Wahoo continue to be taken just about everywhere and, it must be realised, the amateur only needs one or two fish to provide a decent stash in the freezer. This situation is a far cry from the commercial man who has to make a living from his proceedings as well as pay the bills. That is the fundamental difference between fishing for fun (angling) and just plain commercial fishing.

So, wahoo are the mainstay of the offshore fishery and there are parts of the Edge that will make a bit of trolling worthwhile. Many of the fish are of a respectable size so it might just take one to justify the trip.

There are a few tuna about. Often, late autumn sees the blackfin tuna taking trolls. The fish travel in schools and multiple strikes are not uncommon. There are some nice yellowfin around but unless you are working the Banks, they will be occasional takers ? try natural flying fish rigs fished way back or even a natural skipping garfish might serve to get one's attention. One thing about winter fishing, and there is no denying that we are into that mode now, is that you never know what you might elicit a strike from. It all adds to the anticipation at an otherwise slow time of the year.

In keeping with this, there was a bit of drama down at the East End earlier this week. When trolling at this time of the year, billfish seldom figure in either the actual proceedings or even in the minds of anglers hoping for a trophy wahoo. Such was the situation when a rod screamed off and within seconds a bill could be seen waving in the breeze. A quick analysis suggested that a small blue might have crashed the party but as the scenario developed it quickly became apparent that the fish did not have the weight associated with even a baby blue. The next conclusion was that it must be a white marlin and the fish acted pretty much the way one might expect of such a fish. So things took a final twist when the fish was brought alongside and angler Brian Flook was provided with positive evidence that the culprit was an Atlantic sailfish. Conveniently, the fish raised its sail and gave the game away as it came to boatside, so that it was not necessary to further traumatise the fish prior to its release. Happily for the fish, its captors were inclined to release all billfish and the absence of a camera on board did nothing to dissuade them from this noble deed.

Although sailfish have been taken on a fairly regular basis at Bermuda, they are nowhere near common. A review of history will show that one or two are caught most years with a few more sightings reported during the spring and autumn.

The size of the fish encountered locally have ranged from small versions in the 20-pound range all the way up to around 70 or 80 pounds. Fish achieving the latter size are pretty respectable specimens even by Florida standards which is where the sport fishery really got its start back before World War Two.

If you really want an Atlantic sail, hotspots include Florida in the winter and Venezuela. Both locales produce fish fairly consistently and with local bans on selling the species and a strong movement encouraging a release fishery, the angler's chance of success are reasonable.

If serious numbers or the largest fish are the object of the exercise then the travelling angler will have to journey to the continent of Africa where countries like Senegal are currently putting in an impressive performance. The problem is that these locales are hard to get there and the sportfishng industry is in its infancy.

The angler who just wants to add a sail to his repertoire can make his life a lot easier by trying the Pacific Ocean off Mexico, Costa Rica or Guatemala. Some scientists consider the two to be the same species but, as usual, the jury can be said to be out on this issue. There is no doubt that the Pacific version tends to be significantly larger and capable to putting on an outstanding performance on suitable tackle. They also lend themselves to fly-fishing as they are both numerous and aggressive when it comes to attacking a teaser or trolled offering.

The trick to getting in any fishing at all at the moment is to be able to catch a weather window that will allow you to get offshore in conditions that are not only favourable from the boating comfort and safety points of view but also ones that do not discourage the fish. A blow lasting more than about 24 hours usually stirs up the water along the Edge to the point where it becomes discoloured; not a good thing for blue-water fish species, and sets the currents around the Banks into some sort of pattern that even confuses the fish. Just try chumming on one of those days when first it goes straight off the stern, then under the boat then to starboard ? who knows where any sort of line is being established. Not even the fish which is why chumming in such conditions can be a complete utter waste of time.

For many of the angling community, the real season is over and it is now more about getting some fresh fish in advance of a wintry season that will see you staying home weekend after weekend ? what better time to finally get some work done on the boat. So, have a think about maybe concentrating on working the bottom closer to home. Hinds, coneys and barbers are usually willing to please and there is always the hope of something a bit more exciting. Keeping a light chum line going will usually lure up some robins and these can be used to advantage as live baits. Once you are out in 15 fathoms or more, there is only one way to find out what is lurking in the vicinity. Should there be a fat amber or an errant wahoo, a live robin should reward you with some Tight lines!!!