Here we are with about eight percent of the year already gone. Time really does fly when you are having fun or are otherwise distracted from more pleasurable pursuits. If fishing is the objective, then most will be writing February off as a hopeless month for getting offshore, making the "lost" part of the year about 16 percent.

Actually, if you come down to it, there is only about 35 percent of the year that falls into the fishable category.

May through August is pretty reliable, weather-wise, but then you have to factor in the odd hurricane or other tropical activity and that makes for an even smaller percentage of the year. If you really want to feel glum, consider that if you only have weekends to work with then only about a quarter of the reduced total available fishing time is of any use to you.

If you really want to be depressed, just allow for Sundays as the fishing day and it is a pitiful 14 percent of the 30-odd percent available. Serious optimists will point out that the holidays like May 24th and Cup Match should add in some more potential fishing time. No matter how you look at it, many of us spend rather a large portion of our leisure time (which most of us don't have too much of) not to mention money in the pursuit of game fish.

Truth to tell, not too many amateurs manage more than ten trips a year. Even when the intention is to get out there every weekend during the season, this is only likely to work out at something like a dozen excursions during the summer months.

Happily, we are actually spoilt here by comparison to lots of other places. Boats are pretty much readily accessible.

If you lived in the United States or elsewhere, you might have a trek of a couple of hours or more to the marina where your boat resides. Similarly, if a charter is involved, the trip may actually involve taking a plane to where the fishing is. Even some of the lake or stream fishing on the mainland may be some distance away from where our keen angler resides. Basically our fishing is on our doorstep by comparison to most others.

The next part can be argued a couple of ways.

From Bermuda we have really quick access to blue water. A run out of the East End can have you on the Edge in about 20 minutes and the short course to Southwest Edge isn't a whole lot longer.

The same trip out of one of the North Carolina fishing inlets may be two hours or more and a canyon run from the New York area can be as much as six hours. Given our access to marlin, tuna and wahoo, Bermuda has to really rate up there for convenience and big game availability.

What we lack, though, are the tidal areas that are home to some great game fish in their own rights. Red drum, sea trout and striped bass provide great sport along most of the east coast. Bluefish migrate up and down the coast and although they aren't really large, they are exciting to catch and give a good account of themselves. Farther south, tarpon and permit combine with bonefish and ladyfish for good inshore action.

The extended reef areas found on the continental shelf are also productive. This is, in part, due to the ecology that comes with rivers and estuaries. The seaward flow of nutrients (not to mention pollutants!) makes coastal waters incredibly productive at the base of the food chain. From there things move on upward through the food web with major predators coming in at the top level to take the cream.

In contrast, we are blessed with the pure, clean water that supports the existence of a coral reef. While not quite as luxuriant or diverse as those found in the Caribbean, we certainly have enough to support a variety of reef dwellers, ranging from the colourful damselfish to the mighty black grouper or rockfish.

The so-called "floating fish" like jacks, ambers and bonitos inhabit both the nearer shore coral world and the structure offshore. The structure is comprised of the Edge and the Banks, which harbour reefs of sorts with the remnants of Argus tower being a prime location.

The mere fact that the fish move to and fro the various locations makes them a likely encounter almost anywhere around the Island, including some of the inshore sounds and bays. About the only negative thing about the reef area is its relatively small size – like everything else in Bermuda! Places like the Bahamas have vast reef and flat areas which provide plenty of habitat for fish, lobsters and other sea creatures. Some of these areas are remote enough to be under-exploited, something that can't be said about any of our reef area.

Finally, there is that area that is largely ignored. The clear, white sandy beaches and flats are home to some quality, although not outrageously numerous as they are in places down south, bonefish. This species is sought after in many tropical locations but is infrequently fished for here. They can be caught even in the winter months but they do take some patience, good conditions and a bit of skill. The latter can be learned, the weather will please on occasion but the former can be a challenge.

Also in this area are the palometa or pompano. Rather small but exceedingly game and good table fare, this is another species that was once a hallmark of Bermuda angling.

Readily available to the shore fisherman, one would think that it would garner more attention than it does. Like the bonefish, pompano can be caught through the winter but it is the late summer when they are at their best.

Taking everything into consideration, we have it pretty good here. There aren't too many places when high-end luxury fishing for blue marlin and the like can be had on a shoestring budget. Locals have used simple centre consoles and other small craft to go after the ultimate in big game fish and some have done it quite successfully. Even small boaters have stories to tell of the pursuit of game fish that others really only dream about.

And while you are wondering about the seasonality of it all, most of the game species that occur here are around throughout the year. Some species have peak times for numbers or quality but this is in sharp contrast to other places where the season may be just a few weeks or a month or two. Bearing this in mind, even now in the bleak mid-winter, all it takes is a day of good weather and, hey, presto, you could slip out and grab some Tight lines!!!