TROLLING is still paying off with wahoo but the numbers are dropping off dramatically with catches of four or five looking pretty good. Capt. Keith Winter's Playmate had four wahoo each day of last weekend. The average size is also dropping although there are still some larger fish around.

Occasional fifty pounders are still being caught but the average weight is nearer the twenty-pound mark. Look for the wahoo to start showing in the chumslick where guile will usually pay off for the patient angler who does not mid running up to the bow as the 'hoo heads for the anchor line.

Another option is, of course, live robins or mackerel as wahoo are well known for attacking any live bait offered.

There are some dolphin around and these will hit virtually anything that you might care to troll. They do have a special liking for yellow and yellow and green combinations. Perhaps they really are more cannibalistic than we might care to think! Given the easing of the wahoo action and the yellowfin starting to please on a regular basis it won't be long before the charterfleet will be concentrating on tuna and billfish. There have been quite a few white marlin around as of late and these have often been mixed in with the wahoo.

The blue marlin action has started to pick up quite markedly. On Saturday there were at least six fish raised and one of these became the first of the season's big blues landed. The catch was made on Capt. Stephen Cabral's Sea Scorpion and it was a very healthy specimen indeed. Unfortunately, there were problems in having the fish weighed and its real weight will never be known. The mathematical formula used to estimate marlin weight came in with a figure in the low to mid-900's and most experienced observers were of the view that although it was a big fish it probably did not quite make the magic 1,000 pound mark.

Anglers should be aware that the matter of scales in Bermuda is no clear thing. In most fishing destinations, the marinas and certain recognised weigh-in stations provide the weighing service. This may then be attested to by an I.G.F.A. representative or other witness. To some extent this was the case when the old Mac Robinson's Marina was in operation. There was a scale there that was available to all comers and even though it only went up to about 300 pounds, it was good enough for most purposes. The Department of Tourism through its Fishing Information Bureau also maintained scales at other locations, including Flatts and St. George's.

This situation worked quite well, until the giant marlin, that is.

That is when the scramble started. It may be recalled that one of Capt. Alan Card's granders was weighed on a scale at the U.S. Navy base the day after it was caught. There were similar problems with the other large marlin taken and although things have improved a lot they still aren't what they should be.

Some years ago the Government fisheries office has acquired an electronic scale that will go to 1000 kilograms (2200 pounds) and that scale has weighed most of the big blues taken in recent years. The point is that the use of this scale has to be obtained through the fisheries office and that means that weekends and after hours pose difficulties. The angling clubs also have scales of various weight ranges but as these are privately held, one has to know whom to contact in order to have the use of them.

Concerns were raised that the Bermuda I.G.F.A. reps should be responsible for the weighing of such fish. The problem there is that the reps are volunteers who are able to certify weights and to essentially serve as I.G.F.A.'s man on the spot. They are not employed by I.G.F.A., government or anyone else and therefore have no assets in the shape of scales or other equipment. These individuals are, however, pretty well connected on the Bermuda angling scene and they can usually obtain the use of a scale from one of the clubs or elsewhere. Naturally, a little notice is required and there will be times when there will be difficulties. Happily, the situation continues to improve as, just recently, Bermuda Anglers Club has also obtained a scale that is good to a ton.

There can be no doubt that the chumming season has arrived. The action of the Banks, especially Argus, is fantastic. Capt. Allen DeSilva's DeMako had twenty-odd tuna one day last week and then followed this up with a haul of thirty! Boats report good tuna action, no shortage of live robins and, finally, some decent fishing conditions.

Bermuda Anglers Club held their annual tournament last Sunday and Bobby Rego's Sandpiper had a good day, catching 12 keepers and releasing six other fish. Danny Fox had two yellowfin on 8-lb test (21.6 and 35.7), and another brace on 12-lb test line (38.4 and 35.7). Bobby Rego had three yellowfin on 12-lb test (35, 28.4 and 16.6) as well as one blackfin tuna (12.5) He also had a 12.8-pound Almaco jack on 16-lb test. Michael Judd, fishing 20-lb test had a 26.2-pound wahoo and two blackfin (18 and 16.3).

He also released three blackfin and one yellowfin. Although the final results of this tournament are not known, there is every indication that it is time to get offshore and start the chum slick. It just does not get much better than this at any time of the year and it rather looks like the timing of next weeks BAC 38th annual Light Tackle Tournament could not have been more perfect.

Inshore the bonefishing is prime. While never numerous there are enough really nice bones around to grab anyone's attention. Many of these fish are over ten pounds and are moving into trophy and even record class.

Bonefishing used to be a local speciality that has all but died out whereby even land-bound anglers have taken to neglecting one of the all-time great sporting species. Give it a try, even if it is only on a day when it is just a bit too blustery to head offshore. Find a lee shore (the West End is good) and try stalking one of these ghosts of the sandy bottom.

In similar fashion, most of the pompano get a free ride along the South Shore. It only takes a bit of bread, some sardines or cat food and some top class light tackle action can be had. Small silver spoons worked rapidly on spinning gear will also elicit strikes. The battle is short and sharp with the angler having the choice of releasing the pomp to fight again another day or opting for some of the finest fillets the sea has to offer. Now, there's a reason for Tight lines!!!