The passage of the year’s first real cold front probably knocked thoughts of venturing out on to the ocean out of most people’s minds as they scurried for parkas, boots and other winter paraphernalia. And, to be honest, the forecast for the next few days is anything but glorious and that will put an end to any hopes that a weekender might have had.

Having said that, there has been an interesting variety of fish caught over the last week or so. One of the more successful commercial operators managed a haul of six wahoo with some bettering the 40-pouind mark. Other catches have included yellowfin tuna and a rather nice dolphin that tipped the scales at about 20lbs. Part of the problem is that is all well and good when there are just one or two boats out there; increase the number of boats and the catch usually ends up being subdivided with rather slim pickings for all concerned.

Given the fishing prognosis and the weather, it is more likely that most anglers will stay close to home and think about the days ahead. Television programmes, videos and fishing magazines will become the main source of vicarious angling pleasures as will the planning of future journeys on the briny. Another useful exercise would be to look over records, both international and domestic and sort out a strategy for the coming season; it will come and probably catch you unprepared the same way that it did last year, and the year before, and so on.

An interesting item in the IGFA’s latest list of new world records and potential world records points out that some anglers are now pursuing grey snappers with fly tackle. As everyone knows, grey dogs are notoriously hard to fool with bait and most artificial lures. Of the latter there are some that are more successful than others: for a fish that is pretty smart the tendency to attack certain lures may be the triggering of some innate reaction, a bit like the way a barracuda will go after a tube lure that is some outrageous fluorescent colour that does not exist in the ocean and of a shape that doesn’t resemble anything either.

Maybe it is the action of certain baits or lures. It is possible to get a bonita worked right up by repeatedly dabbling a bare hook or feather right in front of it and playing “keep away”. At some point the fish will go for it and if you let it take it is will be hooked. That technique might with a snapper: get it interested and then tease it into attacking; it certainly works on marlin that come up into a spread and are reluctant to take a bait. A giveaway sign or “tell” might be the dark line that goes through the snapper’s eye when it is excited. That might provide some idea of the rate of success in baiting the fish.

In any case, there is no reason not to try to catch a grey snapper here on a fly rod. During the warmer months, they hang around docks and other areas in shadow and tend to be pretty territorial. Although they are wily, even large ones can be caught and trying for one on a fly might just be innovative enough to fool these otherwise street-smart fish. Basically, they haven’t been exposed to such things and they might well be willing to take a chance.

The largest current fly-tackle records are the men’s records on the 12, 16 and 20-lb tippets weighing around 6, 7 and 5 pounds, respectively. No real giants there. All the rest of the records, both women’s and men’s seem to be less than three pounds with many weighing between one and two pounds. Surely there is some potential there. Best of all, considering that they will come right to a dock or boat, there is no real need to be a master fly fisherman who can cast a feather over 100 feet with the accuracy of an NFL quarterback.

That there is something special about this category is evidenced by the fact that most of the line class records are held by fish better than five pounds with the all-tackle record standing at an even 17 pounds. Also notable is the fact that almost all the records are held in the United States, but for two recently set here by Cindy Mitchell (both in the seven pound bracket on 8 and 12lb test line) and a solo offering from Bimini, Bahamas. Curiously, only one of the US records is held outside of Florida and that is from Louisiana.

Catching a snapper can be a challenge at the best of times but just maybe there is something that you might need to know. Without giving away any secrets, there is a period and a place or two in the late spring when the snappers are in an extremely vulnerable mood. Knowing where and when to go can be a real advantage. Suffice it to say that at just about any time fresh bait, preferably fry, and fishing at night can really pay off as even the larger snappers are inclined to provide some Tight Lines!