STILL not a lot of fishing even though the weather has been surprisingly good for this time of the year. The real problem is that the anglers are waiting for the real spring and most of the pros are concentrating on marketable species that can be caught at minimal expense.

Yellowfin tuna are still the dominate species on the Banks. Chumming works wonders provided that you can get decent conditions and these have been rather lacking of late. The fish range from 25 to 50 pounds and offer plenty of sporting potential for anyone willing to make the run.

With the days starting to lengthen out, Argus again becomes a realistic possibility and given the recent lack of effort there may be a few surprises out there.

Trolling is producing wahoo although it can be quite sporadic. Apparently some of the commercial boats have managed five or six fish in a trip while others have had to make out with one or two. The quality ranges from average school fish just slightly larger than a summertime "lizard" to fairly respectable 50-pounders. Still, good enough reason to put in a couple of hours on the Edge where, with a bit of luck, a strike or two should translate into some fresh fish.

Local anglers will be delighted to learn that the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has added the yellowtail snapper to the list of species eligible for line class records.

It may be recalled that for some years now, the local IGFA representatives including the venerable Tom Smith, have tried to persuade the organisation to accept this species as eligible. It was pointed out that the yellowtail met the criteria on which IGFA based its selection of species. These included availability within a range; the yellowtail is found in the western Atlantic and through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, and its value as a game species. It is certainly a game species ? Bermudians have acknowledged that for generations.

It is well worth noting that the current all-tackle record is for a 10-pound, 3-ounce yellowtail caught off Louisiana. Contrast this with the fact that there is only one Bermuda record yellowtail that weighed less than ten pounds! That particular fish was a 9lb 4oz snapper caught by James A. Pearman back in July, 1972. It is actually notable for two reasons. One, it was caught on 6-lb test line; light tackle by any standard; and, secondly, it is also the most recent Bermuda record for yellowtail snapper.

It is almost shocking to think that it is over 30 years since a new yellowtail snapper graced the record books. Granted, the existing numbers will take something quite special to upset the incumbents, but the 2-lb, 4-lb, 8-lb, 16-lb, and 30-lb test categories are all vacant! The largest Bermuda record yellowtail was caught by the same James Pearman in August, 1971. It was caught on 50-lb test and weighed in at a whopping 13 pounds and 14 ounces! This certainly puts the all-tackle world record to shame.

The other records presently on the books are: 11 lbs 10 oz on 12-lb test by Ray Baptiste in 1971 and, on 20-lb line, 11 lbs 12 oz by a Mrs. T Stock in 1967! For those planning an assault on the record books, here is some information that may be useful. All the Bermuda records were set in July or August.

Although yellowtails are found all around the Island even into the Great Sound and Hamilton Harbour, it remains no secret that the real giants are to be found on the crown of the Bank. Unfortunately, there is a rather nasty population of sharks there that tries to ensure that only yellowtail heads make it to the surface. Still, perseverance should pay off as well as paying attention to the line class categories. And, don't forget, that there are men's and women's categories to be considered as well. With a bit of luck, the yellowtail snapper page in the IGFA record book will read like the blackfin tuna page did some years ago: Bermuda, Bermuda, Bermuda?.

The Bermuda Game Fishing Association has now finalised, insofar as that is possible, the tournament schedule for the forthcoming season. In order to help you plan your lives, here it is in all its glory.

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Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament / GFA Affiliated ClubsBermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (alternate) / IGFA Affiliated ClubsBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members OnlySandys Boat Club Annual Tournament / OPENSandys Boat Club Annual Tournament (alternate) / OPENBacardi Rum Fishing Tournament / OPENBrien/Palliot Fly Fishing Tournament / InvitationalBermuda Anglers Club Annual Tournament / Members OnlyBlue Water Anglers Club Member/Guest Tournament / Members and GuestsSpanish Point Boat Club Tuna Tournament / OPENBacardi Rum Fishing Tournament (alternate) / OPENBermuda Anglers Club Annual Tournament (alternate) / Members OnlySpanish Point Boat Club Tuna Tournament (alternate) / OPENBermuda Anglers Club ROLEX/IGFA Invitational Light Tackle Tournament (4 days fishing) / InvitationalBlue Waters Anglers Club v. Boston Sea and Surf Anglers / Members OnlyBermuda Regiment Annual Tournament / ResidentsBlue Marlin World Cup / OPENBermuda Big Game Classic / OPENTonky Trott Light Tackle Tournament (BWAC) Blue Water Anglers Club Member/Guest Tournament / Members & GuestsBermuda Regiment Annual Tournament (alternate) / OPENTonky Trott Light Tackle Tournament (BWAC) (alternate) / Members & GuestsBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members & GuestsSea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament (4 days) / OPENBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members & GuestsFlybridge Tackle Junior Tournament / OPENBlue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament / OPENBlue Waters Anglers Club Junior Tournament (alternate) / OPENBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members & GuestsSea Horse Anglers Club Annual Tournament / Members OnlyMid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament / ResidentsMid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament (1st alternate) / ResidentsBWAC Member/Guest Wahoo Tournament / Members & GuestsMid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament (2nd alternate) / ResidentsBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members & GuestsBWAC Member/Guest Wahoo Tournament (alternate) / Members & GuestsBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members & GuestsBermuda Anglers Club Fun Tournament / Members & Guests

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It is worth noting that what is not included but which continues to seem to be creating a life of its own is the Bermuda Triangle Tournament. Muted earlier this year, this international event is likely to include Bermuda as one leg with the Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands as the other two. Details are still far from finalised but, should it come to pass, mid-July seems the most probable time. In any case, local participation is likely to very thin indeed as the entry fee is something like $50,000 ? that makes for some really pricey Tight lines!!!