WE really need to be grateful for the state of our marine resources. Whether it is sheer luck, proactive management, common sense, or the fact that nature enforces periods when the weather is such that the fishing effort is severely reduced, the fact of the matter is that there are still some fish around.Maybe what we have today is nothing like the glory days recounted by some of the old timers. Stories of countless rockfish, groupers and red hinds so numerous that they were discarded are probably exaggerated to some degree or another but they do provide a bit of a baseline against which to make modern-day comparisons.

Groupers such as the Nassau (hamlet) or Red (deer hamlet) are so rare as to have become oddities. So much so that the measures taken to protect them often backfire when a neophyte who catches one hasn’t a clue what it is and then brings it to the Aquarium or Fisheries for identification, thereby preventing the live release of the fish back into the sea.

Similarly, it is the smaller members of the grouper family, barbers and coneys, which dominate the bottom catch these days. Red hinds are still reasonably common but no longer do they make up the bulk of the bottom catch.

In fact, in terms of weight, it is the floating fish like amberjack, bonita, and other jack species that make up the bulk of the catch made by anglers and fishermen working the bottom both on the Edge and on the Banks.

While it may not be ideal, our situation is a far cry from places like Jamaica. As anyone who has ever been there will know, the nearshore commercial fishery is depressing to contemplate. Apart from the poverty-level fishermen, the catches are so humble that we would not even consider using the tiddlers that they catch for bait. Here in Bermuda, just about every dock has a few snappers or grunts hanging around. Over the shallow reef areas there is an abundance of colourful fish species. Maybe not exactly a target species but certainly part of the food web that supports larger fish. In places like Montego Bay, a four-inch white grunt constitutes a good catch. Basically, there are no fish on the reef. There are precious few, if any, fish lurking around the docks or quays.

Off the north coast of Jamaica, the only fishery that offers any results is a small offshore fishery that concentrates on small tuna species. Remember that in a poverty-based situation, venturing offshore requires fuel, an essential that cannot be readily afforded.

The reason for this is largely because people have to eat. This, along with a number of forms of pollution, has led to the depletion of all the fish species that we would expect to find in the Caribbean. Not everywhere has the luxury that we enjoy of being able to import all sorts of exotic fillets and shellfish. Fortunately for us, we are not solely dependent on the fruits of our own resources. If we were limited to what the sea can offer us, we too would be reduced to the vagaries of the pelagic species So, at this time of the year when we are beset by the hustle and bustle of the holiday celebrations, a moment of reflection on just how good we have it and to spare a thought for those less fortunate.Back to our local scene.

Offshore at the moment is a risky proposition. There are some fish around but given the short days and the high cost of fuel, not too many are in the enviable position of being able to spend a great deal of time waiting for a rod to keel over.

Happily, wahoo maintain a presence here year round with many anglers of the view that they put up a better battle in the cooler water. This might have made a difference in the old days when the heaviest tackle a boat might have was 30-lb test. On 50 or 80, even a big wahoo is unable to put in much of a performance. Bermuda’s Edge is often the best bet for a quick troll. It is close to home and there are usually enough wahoo willing to please.

The Banks are still home to some Allisons. These yellowfin tuna range from school-sized specimens on up to a few larger fish that occasionally pay a visit to a chum slick.

Blackfin tuna are still plentiful and available to those who go looking for them. Chumming on top of the Banks is a good bet for blackfin and, if the tide is really suitable, then it is possible to lure up some truly magnificent yellowtail snappers. The average Bank yellowtail here would really get the attention of any angler in Florida or the Bahamas. Yet, they get a bit of a free ride locally. Although dependent on the tide conditions, this is a nice alternative to burning fuel, hoping that a wahoo will make a fatal mistake.

It is a good time of the year for trophy amberfish and large bonita. The best bet is to use live robins but don’t discount using a live mackerel, Lots of live baits end up attracting sharks but both those and the barracuda should be less prevalent in the cooler water and this may improve the likelihood of a desirable species taking the bait.

One can be fairly certain that the sport fishing effort of the next couple of weeks will be all but non-existent. Apart from the weather considerations; there are often really nice days at this time of the year, the chances of the weekend warrior making it offshore are in the slim to none category. Preparations for the annual winter feast preclude most people setting a day aside and the festivities themselves often leave people in fear of a bouncy day afloat. The prospect of a four day weekend must beckon but there are almost insurmountable problems with organising crew on these family-oriented holidays. There will be those who may have the luxury of having the entire week off between Christmas and New Year’s and it is these who should be thinking about taking advantage of any good weather to lay in some fresh fish. This can be accomplished without a trip all the way to the Banks. In fact, a couple of hours spent in and around the porgy holes can prove to be more than successful. The porgies themselves are present and willing along with a whole host of other species that make for nice, firm, white fillets. They may not be the greatest of game fish, but at this time of the year, all one really needs are a few Tight lines!!!

Luckier than others