THIS is the winter of our discontent, as it were. It is cold, dark, often blustery and hardly anyone has any interest in sport fishing. It is almost as it it had ceased to exist. Can you imagine how lively it must be in the tackle shops? Even the most enthusiastic among us has started to run out of steam. After all, it is hard to revisit the glories of summer when the temperature is in the low 60s and the winder is howling out of the nor' west.

It is down to the more intrepid of the commercial fishermen to keep the island apprised of the offshore scene. With the commercial lobster fishery having come inshore, only the worst weather can keep them from working their gear as and when required. As a result, the number are choosing to run over to the Banks or to work other favoured fishing spots is severely reduced.

At the moment, there are a few wahoo around but the action is not fast enough to warrant putting in too much effort. Those desperate for some action might try putting in an hour or so along the southwest or south-eastern edges but anything any longer might well be a waste of fuel. Perhaps the best strategy is to run over to the Banks, drag along there for a bit and then to start drifting in the hope of getting enough bottom fish to justify the trip.

Something worth trying when drifting is to carry an additional rod and line. Set this so that it is moving seven or eight feet above the bottom. This makes sure that it doesn't get "rocked" or otherwise snagged in the bottom. Use a choice bait such as a single fat anchovy or really nice piece of squid. As you move over the bottom actively working a rod for coneys and hinds, every so often the extra line will entice a strike from an amberjack or bonita. Rarely, you might be lucky enough to get a monkey rockfish, but it seems that they are so few and far between that you have to be really lucky to come across one.

If you can't get out to the Banks, a variation on this theme can be worked over the deeper reef or just inside of Bermuda's Edge. The big difference here is that you are unlikely to drift along the Edge. It is not impossible to do but its shape combined with the less predictable movement of the currents make it difficult to stay in any desired depth. All too often you will come up too shallow or drift out into the deep, neither of which is much good when a bucket of bottom fish is the object of the exercise.

This means that the anchor is called for, and although the bottom is the main focus of the fishing, it is worth tossing a bit of chum over every now and then. There are "floating fish" moving around and they might well pick up on a chum slick and be attracted into the area where the bottom bouncing can pay off. Also the idea of the untended extra line has merit; just in case something respectable starts to cruise over the deeper reefs. It won't hurt and can pay off handsomely.

For now, or until something happens, that is probably your best bet. Don't despair though, while February is usually (but not always) desperately slow, things should start to show signs of improvement in March. Depending on weather conditions, spring can come a lot earlier than in other northern climes.

Over the next few weeks, things start to come to life south of us. From February 6-9 Chub Cay holds its wahoo tournament followed by the third leg of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship which is to be fished from February 27 to March 1at Port Lucaya in the Bahamas.

The actual billfishing tournaments start off with the Bacardi Rum Billfish Tournament over the March 9-14, also out of Port Lucaya. Although a popular event, often attracting more than 50 boats, the billfishing is usually a bit on the slow side with the norm being about ten blues between releases and landed fish with a similar number of white marlin. A few sailfish usually figure in the mix as well. What isn't slow is the amount of money that can change hands.

Suffice it to say that by mid-March there are enough billfish a thousand miles to our south to justify a tournament. If you figure in the fact that a blue marlin can travel upwards of 30 miles a day, then they could well be here within a month. While not too many locals even drag a lure intended for a marlin in April, there have certainly been fish raised during that month. Water temperature probably has something to do with the movements of marlin and the fact that the offshore temperature is a bit warmer than normally expected for this time of year might be an indication that the fish will be here sooner rather than later, as was the case last year.

The same logic probably holds true of other species as well. Yellowfin tuna, although in shorter supply than usual last year, often start to put in an appearance when the water temp is in the mid to upper 60s. Places like North Carolina and even Virginia often enjoy a winter run although it must be admitted that they have better access to the Gulf Stream which is a major warming influence throughout the year.

Also to our south is, arguably, the world's premier boat show, the Miami International Boat Show which will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from the February 14-18. Plenty of boats, electronics, other gear and gadgets to tempt you to part with money but, all in all, a lot of funny for those inclined toward the briny. Once again Captain Jimmy Loveland will be involved with the Big Game Room, a feature that will be celebrating its fifth anniversary. As has been the case, this is where the fishing buffs collect to re-connect and swap tales and expertise. There can be little doubt that there will be a deputation of locally-based skippers and anglers present. The offshoot of this is some positive publicity for the Island's fishing; something that can never hurt.

So, if getting offshore looks unlikely, there may well be the option of a plane ticket to points south. Even if you don't go fishing down there, there should be enough in the way of fishing distractions to keep you thinking of Tight lines!!!