IT is time to get out there! The fishing is fairly good at the moment and now that the commencements of summer festivities are out of the way, the sport fishing effort should increase markedly. Club competitions have all started and the weather is moderating to the point that one can actually plan a weekend outing in advance.

Even inshore, things are looking up. Jacks and mackerel may be seen schooling in the inshore waters and snappers are taking up their positions around docks and jetties. The South Shore is home to loads of pompano (palometa) and the flats have a ready supply of bonefish flitting in and out of the shadows.

The angler more interested in catching something to eat will find that the shore line fishing will continue to improve until the weather gets so hot that even the fish will take to avoiding the heat of midday.

Small boaters working the reef areas will find lots willing to please. There are a few yellowtails and turbots in the surface waters. It is still a bit early for white water snappers but bonitas often put in an appearance and they are generally willing to take any respectable offering. Not likely to be giants, they are still welcome entries into the fish box. Working the bottom should pay off with coneys, barbers and red hinds. Do remember that there is a legal daily limit on the number of hinds that can be caught.

When it comes to the offshore scene there are persistent reports that the bite is best really early or late in the day. This doesn't affect most commercial operators who tend to be out there when the sun rises but amateurs could probably benefit for making early moves. The main species being sought is the wahoo. There are good numbers pretty much everywhere around the Island and on the Banks. They are proving to be cooperative taking trolled baits and artificial lures as well as hitting live baits. To the latter, there are lots of mackerel around, some of which are suitable for use as live baits. They aren't frigate size but are a bit larger. Having said that, they do make good troll baits and even if one is being trolled dead, don't think that a wahoo won't attack it.

In terms of size, things are pretty good. There are plenty of 'hoos in the 30-45-pound bracket. There are enough larger fish around to make life interesting. Some of the better captures have included fish up into the 70-pound range. Such fish give a reasonable account of themselves on 50-lb test gear but they can be really exciting on 30-lb or even 20-lb test. Despite what some might think, they are eminently catchable on such gear. For instance, the Wahoo Tournament has often been won on a lighter line class with a fish in that size range. The process may take a little longer but as long as the hook stays in (and that is a real challenge with wahoo) the line will eventually come back onto the reel and the fish will be brought to the boat.

Something which happens more often that you might think is that a lot of wahoo are never actually hooked. They frequently bite down on the hook and hold it in their jaws. When making speed they keep their mouths clamped shut, thereby keeping themselves attached to the angler. Then, just as they come along side they open their mouths and the hooks simply part company with the fish. If you don't believe this, think about how many wahoo have been gaffed and when they hit the deck the hook comes free. It is not as if it has had a good hold through the 'hoo's bony jaw.

That which seems to be lacking are the yellowfin tuna. A few are occasionally caught on the troll but the numbers just are not what we have gotten used to in recent years. Looking back over a decade or more, there have been periods when they were scarce but the years that have seen good runs of billfish have tended to coincide with large numbers of tuna in and around the Banks. This must raise some doubt as to what this year's experience will be like.

Perhaps surprisingly, the season's first blue marlin has not yet been caught. As May turns into June, there must surely be some large specimens prowling the deep water. Doubtless, they will put in an appearance when least expected and then everyone will remember to carry heavy gear when traversing the Churn.

Variety otherwise comes from the odd dolphin (always welcome), blackfin tuna, rainbow runners and jacks. Sharks are also being caught in chum slicks and they are often surprise "biters" when bottom bouncing for other species. Although it is a bit early for the usual summer invasion by tiger sharks, there are some duskies around and they aren't too fussy at the best of times.

Looking back, a bit of rain and the promise of a steady breeze developing did nothing to deter the Sandys Boat Club from holding their annual tournament. Overall, it cannot be denied that it was a success with enough boats taking part to justify the call.

In the final analysis, there were ten fish, all wahoo weighed in by three boats that presented themselves at the weighstation in a timely fashion. Other boats participated but either had given up due to the conditions or had nothing worth weighing. After all, going fishing isn't the same as catching.

The 12-lb test award was won by Richard King with a 64.6 pound wahoo. This is a nice fish that bears out the fact that large fish can be caught on light line. The 30-lb and 50-lb line classes went to Joe Botelho with a 49.1 pound fish and a 47 pounder, respectively.

Richard King's catch earned him the High Point Angler prize while the High Point Boat Award was won by Leslie Spanswick's Ruggies Ride.

The largest fish in the tournament was the 64.6 pounder and the smallest was a 13.3 pound fish.

The Bermuda Game Fishing Clubs Annual Tournament (BFCAT) took a dimmer view of the weather; and perhaps wisely, the organising club, Bermuda Anglers Club has postponed the event. The new date is June 29 ¿ a mere month away.

This weekend is the scheduled date for the season's first big tournament and, as long as the weather cooperates there should be a nice selection of fish brought to the Dockyard weigh station on Sunday. This usually gives spectators a visual treat and the prizes at stake give the participants every reason to hope for some really Tight lines!!!