MANY seasoned salts are already starting to talk about an Indian summer ¿ referring to the rather pleasant weather that we have been experiencing over the last few weeks. September has worn on and October beckons but thus far the tropical systems have avoided us and the northern cold fronts seem to have swept by without bringing us any unfavourable conditions. About the only downside has been that the days continue to be hot and humid and the offshore water temperature hasn't started to change markedly enough to put the fish into migratory mode. Moving fish are hungry fish and hungry fish bite, or so the thinking goes. Most of the offshore fleet are continuing to catch wahoo and while regular trolling works, there has been some concentration on the use of live robins. It is argued that live baits attract larger fish and while even a small wahoo will hit a live bait, there is a tendency for the largest fish in the area to claim first dining rights.

Using a live bait may also flush out any tuna that happen to be in the vicinity. While there are no real concentrations of yellowfin anywhere to be seen, a few decent fish have been caught. Working on the basis that Allisons are school fish, then if you catch one there should be a few more in the area. If blackfin are the target, then try chumming up on the Banks or just in from the drop-off along Bermuda's Edge. It is usually possible to get a small school of blackfin up and while they will usually take whatever bait is on offer, they often go really wild over live robins. Fishing the robins from a kite makes for exciting fishing with many of the tuna strikes nothing short of spectacular. The light breezes that have dominated the weather scene for the last week or so are well suited to kite fishing and there is always the possibility that something larger than a blackfin will oblige. The latter is especially true if the live bait ends up out in the deep rather than on the Edge.

Bottom fishing is also paying off. Along with the hinds, barbers and coneys, there are enough ambers and bonitas around to make it worthwhile to fish an I.G.F.A.-approved rig down deep. It is an unfortunate consequence of concentrating on the grouper-type species that has most bottom fishers using three or even more hooks along with heavy sinkers and line in the 50-lb or greater class. If a trophy bonita grabs hold, you may well catch it but it is unlikely to be eligible for any sort of Bermuda or world record. Just carrying a care-fully rigged single hook rig ten feet or so off the bottom is likely to get a "floating" fish's attention and if it turns out to be a big bonita or amber, it can be entered in club competitions or perhaps, a line class record. Who says meat fishing can't have an element of sport about it.

A species that has good sporting qualities and is excellent fare often gets overlooked by boaters and shore anglers alike. This is the pompano, or, more properly, the palometa. Although this species is found inshore all year long, it is at the tail end of the summer that some of the largest are to be found. They are also really quite numerous and it shouldn't take too much effort to catch enough to make life interesting.

First off, you don't need anything more that a light spinning rod. Even one of the inexpensive sets that you can pick up in hardware shops is more than adequate because the target species isn't much larger than the average trout or small-mouthed bass that northern anglers pursue. Six-pound test line is more than adequate; in fact, to go any heavier will defeat the purpose and certainly eliminate any sporting aspect to the exercise.

The average pompano is probably just under a pound in weight. They may look bigger but they really are compressed so that their bodies aren't very thick, thus meaning that there probably isn't too much in the way of weight. A two-pounder is a really nice fish, impressive too. The local record is four pounds and that is one monster pompano! The time-honoured tradition of using pieces of white bread that have been soaked with sardine oil works well; there is no question about that. Nowadays the cost of a loaf of bread and a tin of sardines tend to put a different light on this practice. If someone is trimming the crusts off sandwiches, this provides an ideal source for the bread bits. Squeezing a handful of fry or a couple of anchovies into the bread pieces is usually good enough to get the pomps interested and, on many occasions, the bread by itself works.

Another inexpensive chum is some fishy-flavoured cat food. A tin of this mixed into the bread bits almost guarantees results as there aren't too many times when the pompano don't show up. Because most of the fishing is done over white sand, the fish often blend in pretty well and can be hard to see. Look out for the tell-tale black trimmed fins that will break the surface. This is a sure indication that the fish are there.

If bait fishing isn't your bag, try using a small silver spoon or other shiny artificial. The flat lures that resemble fry or other minnows work well and the pompanos will rave each other to try to nail the lure if it is worked quickly through the water, a foot or so below the surface.

Fly tackle can be used as well and this can make for a nice introduction to the use of such gear. A floating fly line and a six-pound tippet will work just fine. Fly fishing off a beach is nice and easy because there aren't any obstacles in the form of trees, walls or overhead power lines. Introducing a fly into a chum slick is totally legit provided that it is cast rather than dragged. Once in the right area where the chum has been, the pompano will be worked up and will take a shot at most any offering.

Once caught, you will find that fillet of pompano has few peers and that your efforts will have paid off handsomely. Even if the weather starts to act up and it is really getting a bit overdue at the moment, this sort of fishing carried out from the shoe or from a boat along the sandy shoreline or over the flats, can prove to be a rather pleasurable source of Tight Lines!!!