THINGS are hotting up and it is later than you might care to think. The autumnal wahoo run is showing sign of starting and there is no shortage of small game on the Banks and on the inner bottom. In just a couple of weeks the seasonally protected areas will again open up to anglers and there are lots of ambers, bonitas and other game species just waiting to pull on a line.

Offshore, the wahoo are starting to please on a consistent basis. Expect a number of shots with multiple strikes rapidly becoming more commonplace. It should be no trick for even an amateur to manage three or four. While many of the fish are of the summertime "lizard" variety, there are some substantially larger.

Putting light tackle back in the limelight was Dylis Pantry. Fishing aboard Wicket Woof on the northeastern side of Challenger Bank she hooked a fine wahoo on 12-lb test that took some 25 minutes to catch. It weighed in at 51 pounds, a world class fish and a good indication of the fine light tackle angling that many locals are ignoring in favour of using heavier gear.

The main object of the Pantry's attention was, of course, the yellowfin tuna that are maintaining a presence on both banks. Many of these fish are in the 30 to 80-pound range and offer good sport on most any gear. The only problem seems to be the heat, which discourages both fish and anglers at the height of the day.

There are some larger yellowfin about as well but these have been taken while trolling. Capt. Allen DeSilva's DeMako had a nice fish in the 130-pound bracket that was taken while marlin fishing and other trollers have also reported large yellowfin taking trolled offerings intended for wahoo. Although the billfishing should be easing off, there is still plenty of action. Not only is just about every boat getting multiple shots but many of the fish are big. Alan "Heads" DeSilva's Treasure Isle, released a fish estimated at over 800 pounds and there have been several estimated at over 500 pounds that have been brought to boatside and subsequently released.

Special mention should be made of the fact that DeMako has now over 50 blue marlin this season and Capt. Allen DeSilva is hoping to set a new record of fifty releases and this looks eminently do-able. A very impressive statistic by any standard! A notable catch was made by Capt. Russell Young's Sea Wolfe off Sonesta early last week. The fish was a blue estimated at 180 pounds. What was notable was that the fish had previously been tagged with a Billfish Foundation tag. Well, Capt. Russell did the right thing. They retrieved the tag and replaced it with a new one. This way the information available from the initial tag will still be of value while the new tag will offer scientists a second chance of learning about the life history of that particular fish.

Given the size of the fish, it can not have been at liberty too long. This is suggested by two possibilities. One, the fish was recently tagged and probably locally, although it is not impossible that it did not leave wherever it was tagged and came this way. Electronic tags indicate that once tagged marlin tend to leave the area and head off for presumably safer pastures. Next, is the fact that virtually nowhere in the Atlantic are blues caught much less than 100 pounds. Even at that size they are formidable eating machines and cannot take too long to put on 60 or 70 pounds. So, even if it was tagged as a "baby", it should not have taken more than a year or so to make it up to its present size. In any case, it will live to fight again another day and it will be interesting to see if the tag turns up somewhere.

Surprisingly, this is the second occasion that this has happened here. Some years ago, Capt. Alan DeSilva and his Mako IV caught a fish on the northern side of Challenger Bank that sported a tag. This fish was also retagged and the original tag retained for the scientists. All pretty neat stuff.

The 27th annual Flybridge Junior Tournament went off with delightful conditions and the fish pleased as well. When the weigh-in was completed the results were as follows:

In the under five years age group, fishing from the shore using a handline, Kaush Bell had a three ounce grunt that was a winner while Christopher Ricca's seven ounce bream did the business for the boy's category.

On rod and reel, Brittan Moseley had a 1-lb. 9-oz reef fish (a wrasse of some description) with Nicole Pedro taking the girl's honours with a 3lb. 8 oz. houndfish.

Fishing from boats and also using rod and reel were Jenna Stewart and Joshau Allan. They caught a 1 lb. 7 oz. yellow grunt and 1 lb. 10 oz. silk snapper respectively to emerge winners.

Also afloat but using handlines were Ashley Farrington and Nicholas Lines.

They used this traditional gear to good effect, catching a 5 oz. garfish and a 1 lb. 9 oz. silk snapper, both of which were winners in this category.

In the shore category in the 5 to 11 year age group, the winners were Brittany Haley who caught a 2 lb. 1 oz turbot on handline and Joshua Malpas whose handline caught a 2lb 11 oz turbot. On rod and reel, Brittany Ricca's 4 lb. chub and Kevin Adams' 1 lb. 13-oz bream were both winners.

Fishing from boats and using rod and reel were Mark Terceira with a 22-pound wahoo and Chelsea Soares with a 4-lb. 4oz blackfin tuna. Each won their respective category. On handlines, Charclair Lambe had an amazing 7 lb. 12 oz. red hind and Fraiser Sheen caught a 3lb. 3oz bonefish to claim the honours in their divisions.

In the 12 to 16 year age group, fishing from a boat, Blair Smith caught a nice 22-pound wahoo on rod and reel. Using handlines, Hayley Hill won the girl's section with a 4-lb. 15 oz mackerel while David Ferreira's 1.5 pound silk snapper took the boy's honours.

Still with the older crowd, but with the girls declining to take part, Tyler Nearon using a rod and reel and fishing from the shore, caught a winning 1-lb. 15 oz. garfish. In the handline division, Anthony DeCosta had a one and a half-pound silk snapper that beat all comers.

Winning the grand prize, and obviously fishing from a boat, was Tyson Flood. He came up with a 24 lb. 2-oz wahoo that was the largest fish of the tournament.

As always, this event was most successful. This year it drew 126 entrants, making it one of the island's largest tournaments. Given that number 28 is on the cards for next year, it is also one of the longest running. In this respect, the community owes Flybridge a debt of gratitude for keeping the spirit of angling alive and well for over a generation.

The prize presentation will take be held at Flybridge Tackle on Saturday, August 23 at 10 a.m. promptly and winners are asked to be present.

Congratulations to all the participants and especially the winners for their Tight lines!!!