Wow! The lobster season comes to an end and the weather promptly puts paid to any fishing that might have been done. The onset of a late winter gale and the passages of some classic northern Atlantic depressions pretty much kept everybody home.On a positive note, it did give the offshore a good mix-up and the water temperature is still rising on an almost daily basis. Do expect fish to put in an appearance any day now.The only drawback is that you might have to endure any number of unproductive trips until things change for the better and the spring wahoo run takes place. Remember this particular phenomenon starts with almost no notice; moves rapidly and is usually all over in less than two weeks.Being caught on slip or otherwise out of commission when it happens usually means that you don't get to partake of any of the action. So be forewarned.The inshore waters should also be starting to show some signs of life. This is really something that can literally happen overnight.Schools of jacks almost miraculously appear out of nowhere and can be seen crashing into whatever bait there may be lurking along the coastlines of islands in the sound or harbours and bays.Schools of bait usually form up during the summer with the so-called blue fry schools forming at the later stages of the summer. Common or hogmouth fry can almost always be found in small knots pretty much anywhere with larger schools often forming in the late spring or early summer. Fact of the matter, this could start happening any time now.Anchovies are a bit of a luxury and, for whatever reason, have not been particularly numerous the last few years. Once the choicest of hook baits for offshore fishing, they are now more favoured for yellowtail fishing or for use on the top hook of a multiple hook rig intended for bottom fishing.Chumming for tuna usually means using fresh mackerel or robin strips as bait and just about anything will suffice to catch these fish. Actually, the really unprepared can do a lot worse than use some of the artificial lures that are available. While it does take some sort of chum to get robins up, they will eat just about anything, even slivers of aluminium foil on a hook. Although it doesn't happen as frequently as is claimed, they have been known to take bare hooks glistening in the bright sun.Mackerel are also easily caught on daisy chains and it only takes a couple of these to provide enough chum to get the ball rolling. This can quickly turn into a self-sustaining operation and eventually get the attention of larger predators like wahoo and tuna.Do not forget that some of the mackerel that take daisy chains can be fished as live baits. Obviously not the really large ones which are great for chum and hook bait but anything in the two-three pound range can work.This is especially true when there are wahoo around because, with their teeth, they can make short work of a large fish. This is where a third hook at the tail end of the bait can score. Not an IGFA-legal rig but it can be effective. An oldie, but a goodie.Speaking of such things, earlier this week, the Sea Horse Anglers Club held their annual prize presentation and had the distinct honour of having Tom Smith as the presenter.Many younger anglers were unaware of the contributions made to the Bermuda angling scene by Tom over a great many years.Even some Sea Horse members were surprised to learn that he had been one of the founding members of that organisation and that he had served on their executive committee for many years, notably as the club's secretary.His involvement in Bermuda angling helped to shape what we take for granted today and he still maintains a keen interest in the direction of the sport and watching how it continues to evolve.Apart from the wisdom and recollections that Tom brought to the meeting, he also produced a wide selection of memorabilia: clippings and photos that brought back many memories and had many of the members reminiscing about what angling was like in “the good old days”. The general consensus was that maybe, just maybe, they simply weren't all that good.Our tackle was nothing like the modern gear that is the norm these days; the boats were mostly wooden and, oh, so slow; luxury was not a term applied to any of them and, despite our success, we still had a lot to learn about techniques and practices.As would be expected a lot of discussion hearkened back to the old days with contrast to today.One of the events that rated a mention was the forthcoming International Light Tackle Tournament organised by Bermuda Anglers Club.This is to be the 47th such event and, following a run of lean years, the tournament is showing every sign of returning to its former glory.A major draw to this year's event is the increase in the number of teams scheduled to take part but, significantly, a gentleman by the name of Hugh Graunsall will be returning to Bermuda on this occasion, not to fish the tournament but to bring a team.The kicker here is that he could probably fish the event but , at the age of 90 years, discretion is indeed the better part of valour.A contemporary of a younger Tom Smith, the two fished together on many occasions including representing the British West Indies in the legendary Sharp Cup, Nova Scotia tuna tournament.Anglers who are handy on the internet may want to look at this website, http://caribbeanwaterman.com/2009/01/legend-of-the-month-the-old-man-and-the-sea/ as it provides a thought-provoking look at Hugh Graunsall's accomplishments and his contributions to the great sport of angling. There are a number of old photos including one that showed him fishing an ILTT here in the late 1970's.Given the size of the international fishing community 30 or 40 years ago, most knew each other or, at least, of each other and this makes for an intriguing look back to “in the old days”.Well, here we are in the midst of a long weekend for most of us. Yesterday was “kite day” for the young and the young at heart, and, even though the religious significance of this particular weekend will not go unmarked, there is scant likelihood of the sportsman managing a trip offshore.Various celebrations take precedence over avocations and the forecast is enough to deter those of us who lack familial duties. Far better to look forward to the coming weeks as the weather will improve, more fish will arrive on the offshore grounds and the season will start to swing into the sort of action that brings with it Tight lines!!!