The fishing season is definitely winding down and the weather is starting to shift into winter mode. Happily, the tropical systems have remained quiet and Bermuda can probably cautiously start to breathe again.

Not that the fish have finished doing their part yet. Wahoo and a few dolphinfish and tunas are offshore but with few boats, commercial or otherwise working the drop-offs, there are few really notable catches. The weather for the next few days is forecast to keep efforts at a minimum.

Bringing local fishing coverage into the social media that seems to bind the world together, there is an influencer who is doing a good job of providing coverage of some of the most readily available fishing to be had in Bermuda. For the most part, this individual fishes off docks and various rocks around the Island, always using basic equipment: a spinning rod and a selection of common lures and baits.

While it is fairly obvious that catching something for dinner is a large reason for his fishing he does highlight some of the great sporting opportunities that are available to the angler limited to working from the shore.

An area that is way more productive than most people think are the South Shore beaches. While the presence of any sort of fish is far from apparent, the sandy bottom is home to at least two of the most important sport species available to shore fishermen anywhere.

First of these is the bonefish. This fish is found pretty much throughout the world in tropical and subtropical waters. These regions mostly conjure up exotic islands and palm trees and, along with the stalking of a bonefish, the ultimate destination for many light tackle and fly fishermen.

Ignoring the palm trees, the sandy bottoms of the local beaches harbour large numbers of juvenile bonefish and the occasional larger specimen. Much of the allure of the bonefish is the hunting aspect of flats fishing, but this becomes nearly impossible off a sandy beach with rollers stirring up the bottom view every few seconds. But even blind bottom fishing a lure or bait off the beach here will pay off. The smaller bonefish there will weigh up to about a pound and will give a remarkably good account of themselves foreshadowing the real battle that an adult bone will offer.

Hooking into a bonefish weighing 5lb or more is nothing short than really exciting fishing and they grow considerably larger. None of the current world records are held here now, as a fish in the 13-to-16lb range is needed and a new record will depend on the line test used. They do get big enough here though, so it is a very real possibility.

In the early days of Bermuda sportfishing the bonefish was highly desirable, and many records were set here. Gradually the novelty wore off as the offshore scene took hold and the pursuit of hefty bonefish is now a specialised form of angling here, appealing to a limited audience. Even though that is the case, there is no reason that even a novice could not try their luck off any beach. The downside, if there is one for an angler, is that bonefish are definitely a sport fish with little food value. While there are some who will argue to the contrary, just accept the fact that the bonefish is very aptly named.

There is another fish that is readily caught off the same beaches as the bonefish, the difference being this is more a mid- or top water fish. It is also a delight in the galley and, given this attribute, it is surprising that more people don’t try to catch them.

This is the palometa, often mistakenly called pompano, although it is related to the pompano which is much more frequently found along the East Coast.

The palometa will readily take a variety of small lures which can be cast and retrieved in the clear and seemingly fishless waters right off pretty much any beach. Tiny little spoons work well as does a freshwater lure called the Swedish Pimple®. The traditional bait is pieces of bread that have been mixed with the oil from a can of the cheapest sardines, but even plain bread will do as will bits of cat food or most anything fishy.

The palometa will always give battle, a legacy due to its close relationship with the jacks and their only disadvantage is their lack of size. Most fish will weigh about a pound or so, a nice one will go 2lb, and the Bermuda record is a monstrous four pounder.

They will make themselves apparent quickly if a handful of bread bits is thrown into the surf; then dropping the hook-bearing piece into the floating bread will almost always result in a strike. Spinning tackle works best, but this is also an opportunity for any budding fly fisherman willing to put in the effort. On the right tackle, think light freshwater gear, the fish will certainly make for Tight lines!!!