A good fishing weekend just gone and a great long weekend ahead. But, sadly, the onset of August means that there really is only another six weeks of competitive angling left. Talk about time flying when you are having fun! With the steady departures of the foreign sport fishing fleet, the emphasis on billfish is easing off and the attention is once again focussing on the species that originally put Bermuda on the fishing map.Trolling is slow at best and although there are some wahoo that will please, most boats will minimise their effort in that respect. Rather than burn fuel, hoping for a strike, it is time to return to the more basic forms of fishing.

Chumming is the name of the game. The commercial fleet has it in their own best interests to go in search of yellowfin tuna. After the market wahoo deluge, there is an increased demand for tuna and markets need to be satisfied. Amateurs looking to improve their chances could do a lot worse than follow the fleet but do remember not to get in their way.

There is plenty of small game to be had and now is just starting to be the time of year that the nuisances set in. Barracuda will become more numerous and will delight in hanging around a chum line where they will slash hooked mackerel and just about anything else. They also do a great job of discouraging robins and other smaller species. Rather than just moaning about them, try using a spinning rod. Those crazy-looking surgical tubing lures, in all kinds of wild colours, do in fact work really well on barriers and, in return, a barry will put on a good show on suitably light tackle. Best of all, even if released, the vanquished barracuda is likely to head for safer places, thus leaving your chum to concentrate on the preferred fish like tuna.

Previous summers have shown that live baiting just off the Edge often produces hefty yellowfins and while the fish may be more scattered that the groups of schoolies that often grace a chum slick, they do offer better value both in market terms and in sporting prowess.

The other summer nuisance comes in the form of huge tiger sharks that will make no bones about grabbing a live bait intended for a big Allison. It pays to be able to recognise the difference once hooked up. With a big tiger, you could literally be tied up for hours while the tuna swim happily past. This gives new meaning to cutting your losses.

Now that summer has truly arrived the blackfin tuna should really be doing their thing. Look for real trophy blackfin that could earn you a place in the record book. The top of both Banks is a good place to start looking but do not leave areas like Long Point down north out of the equation either. Simply put, there are some big blackfin in local waters and they do seem to prefer the warmer months.

Although it is game fish that get most of the angler’s attention, the fact that it is summer is no reason to ignore the species that dwell on or near the bottom. While they may not be great game fish, they do offer a bit of action suited to almost any tackle and, best of all, they are great in the pan.

Bottom bouncing on the Banks will produce coneys and a few hinds. The summer is not the best time of year for drifting but it can be effective. Also do not ignore the likelihood of established moorings having lured in some larger bottom fish. If the moorings are concentrating on tuna and other pelagic game then sometimes making a sound can produce surprises. After all, some the chum sinks and gets into the food chain in the immediate area. The mere fact that schools of robins inhabit the area may well mean that large predators also have a reason to take up residence. These could be anything from rockfish to amberjack to big bonitas. All pretty much to take most any offering, although a live bait should near guarantee results and all capable of making life interesting.

On the way to and from the Banks, remember that dragging a line over deeper water is merely foolhardy unless dealing with a marlin is intentional. With the moon just having peaked, expect some fast action from some of the smaller blues but be prepared for the occasional leviathan — they have not all gone elsewhere just yet.

Those who can’t get enough of the big fish might want to consider a recent general invitation to anglers to take part in the 21st Lizard Island (Australia) Black Marlin Classic, to be fished from the October 13-20. Situated on the Great Barrier Reef, this is the home of huge black marlin. In last year’s event 113 billfish were released with 14 estimated at 900 to 1100 pounds and there were two fish judged to be in excess of 1100 pounds. This sounds like the place for a grander. Although getting there can be a bit of a financial challenge, perhaps, surprisingly, the tournament itself is not as monumentally pricey as you might expect. The organisers are keen to get teams form all over the world and anyone interested can get additional information off their official website at www.lizardislandgfc.asn.au.

Over the weekend, a fishing tournament with a difference took place. The 4th annual Robinson’s Marina event has a different orientation as compared to most local tournaments. It not only recognises the differences between inshore and offshore fishing but also turns the entire event into a family-friendly fish fry and party. By all accounts this year’s event was a great success and it does seem to be drawing more and more interest on the part of professionals and amateurs alike. All told, this is what fishing is all about — involvement and fun. Congratulations to the organisers and all the participants — this is a great way to start the run-up to the big holiday weekend.

Looking ahead to the weekend, there will be plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun and on the sea. A word of caution is worthwhile as there will be people on the water who only venture forth one day a year and that is this weekend. Courtesy and safety are watchwords.

Calm seas and a bit of shade with the water lapping on the side of the boat, who could want anything more than a cool drink and a bit of summer slumber? It only takes a line casually tossed over the stern to have the potential of providing the excitement in the form of Tight lines!!!