AWAKE, awake, it's time to arise from winter's malaise. Break out the gear, fuel up the boat and make ready. The 2008 fishing season is dawning; gone is the time for dawdling. In keeping with established tradition, the recognised sport fishing season starts off on May 1, this coming Thursday. Although not too much is being said, there are enough wahoo around to justify putting in a bit of effort. The fish seem to be spread out with pockets of concentration scattered around Bermuda's edge. The boats that have located these hotspots have gotten into the 'teens and even better. The average size of the fish has been fairly reasonable and most of the restaurants and markets are boasting a good supply of fresh wahoo.

This suggests that little has been done to publicise the quality of the fishing and, as usual, the amateurs are late in arriving on the scene. An increase in effort will probably see more consistent reporting and there is every reason to think that the spring wahoo run is underway. Fast and short-lived are the watchwords and one suspects that the time to get out there is now if you want to get in on the action.

So far, the yellowfin tuna have continued to keep a low profile. It is hard to believe that they won't put in an appearance at some point. Actually, if they remain absent, that could have a negative effect on the expected influx of big billfish as the season progresses. Tuna do form a part of the marlin diet and are a good reason for such predators to remain in the vicinity of tuna schools. We'll have to wait and see what develops.

There are probably a few white marlin cruising in the deep since conditions are just about right and the blue marlin are due any day now. For the most part, trollers have been sticking to the drop-offs which are not preferred area for billfish. The water temperature is certainly warm enough, having topped 70°F inshore. Dolphin are also occasionals at this time of the year; a prolonged easterly wind often blows in seaweed and flotsam that is accompanied by dolphinfish.

The attaining of this inshore temperature is the first sign that it is time to start looking for the annual inshore influx of snappers and jacks. Schools of jacks are being reported fairly regularly and, on sunny days, a few snappers can be seen lying in the shadows cast by docks and bridges.

Land-bound anglers and those wishing for a bit of prime fresh fish may want to try their hand at catching a snapper. Be warned, though, you will need more than a fair share of patience.

On a related note, there is word of a correction to the IGFA's 2008 World Record Game Fishes book. Happily, the only people who will be affected by this will be those who specifically fish for records. Under the entry for grey snapper (Lutjanus griseus), it appears that the species is eligible for line class records up to 50-lb test (24-kg) line. In actuality, IGFA will only recognise records set on lines up to 30-lb test (15-kg).

Having such restrictions actually makes sense because some of the IGFA-recognised species do not attain any great weight and it would be just plain silly to allow 130-lb test line to be used to catch a fish that has a maximum size of less than 25 pounds. After all, this is supposed to be sport fishing.

Actually, Bermuda does host some rather hefty grey snappers. The problem is catching them because they are smart fish. Certain old sages know when and where to be during the early summer to really make a haul of grey snappers. This is a closely guarded secret and definitely a speciality. Those who know can pretty much guarantee coolers full of grey snapper when the time and conditions are right.

There are a few things that can be done to improve your chances of snagging a "lawyer" as they used to be called. They are less wary in the evening and night. Full moons are the best time when they let down their guard even further. Another option is to use very light line, on the premise that if they can't see it, they will take the bait. On the down side, the fish will inevitably take the line into the rocks where light line is a distinct liability.

There are lots of stories about giant grey snappers and have been for years. While it is true that the species reaches a large size here, there is a firm foundation for confusion. This is because there is another species of snapper that very closely resembles the grey. The cubera snapper which is uncommon here but by no means absent, looks very much like a grey snapper and is easily mistaken for one.

Very easily mistaken for grey snapper, the cubera snapper attains sizes in excess of 100 pounds while the grey is considered one of the smaller snapper species with ten or twelve pounds probably being the maximum size.

It pretty much takes a trained expert to differentiate between the two. Obviously, a small cubera could pass for a grey and vice versa. It is when the specimen is record-sized that the question gets raised. There is a slight distinction in the shape of the body but not one that most people would notice. The real definition comes in the shape of a tooth pattern on the roof of the mouth ¿ not somewhere where anyone is likely to look. If you do happen to catch a whopper, remember to take it to Fisheries or the Aquarium to have someone qualified effect the identification. It might then find its way into the record books. Rest assured, IGFA is going to carefully consider any application for a grey snapper record over the expected normal weight.

Additional information on these species can be found on these websites on the Internet: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/GraySnapper/GraySnapper.htmlhttp://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/CuberaSnapper/CuberaSnapper.html According to the published schedule, the tournament season gets underway next weekend with the Bermuda Fishing Clubs holding their annual tournament (BFCAT) and the Sandys Boat Club organising their event.

After these there is an almost continuous sequence of tournaments and do not forget that the 24th is less than a month away. The boat will be required for picnicking, dinghy races and other ancillary tasks. That usually requires some degree of organisation and not a little bit of work. But, with a bit of time in hand, it might be possible to slip offshore to try and come up with some early season Tight lines!!!