The Chum Line November/December 2008
Welcome to the final issue of The Chum Line for 2008 where we cover:
- Late Fall/ Early Winter Prospects
- Club News
Late Fall/Early Winter Fishing Prospects
Over the past few weeks the balmy weather of October has become a distant memory with a succession of cold fronts passing the Island. There has been plenty of wind, cooler air temperatures and, at times, heavy rain. Many anglers call it quits over winter, but there can still be some good fishing to be had if you pick your day to head offshore. Just remember the winter weather window can be pretty brief so it pays to double check conditions before heading out over coming months.
Captain Keith tells us there are some nice fish to be found on the SW Edge and on Challenger. Frigates are available both on the SW Edge and out on the Bank. If you can snare some of these they can be either slow trolled as live baits or fished from a kite. There are also some small robins around the SW Edge and Keith and Kevin have been successful with a mix of these and frigates to produce Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Barracuda and the occasional Dolphin. Playmate has also put some nice fish in the boat while at anchor too. One of the more notable captures was a huge Horse Jack (aka Steel Head Jack) of just over 27lbs. That was just a pound short of a world record for the line test. So close!!!
There are plenty of fry around in the bays at present so it might be worth an afternoon or two of prospecting these areas to stock up the bait freezer for next season.
While the Blackfin Tuna have been biting pretty well, some Club members have also been lucky enough to stumble across a Yellowfin Tuna or two. Playmate put one in the boat recently that went 25lbs. That's one species that has really had its head down this season. The situation in Bermuda is in sharp contrast to Kona, Hawaii where 2008 is being described as the year of "yellowfin fever" (according to the November Hawaii Fishing News). The cockpits in Kona have been awash with big 100lb plus Yellowfin Tuna. Maybe it will be our year in 2009! (Just not during the ILTT - that's a class of fish you don't want to mix with on 12lb test line!).
The bottom fishing is still firing so don't neglect some of the less glamorous species in Bermuda waters, like Coneys. They still taste great hot off the grill!
Club News
The Club Christmas gathering is scheduled for Friday 5 December at 7pm at Mad Hatters Restaurant located at 22 Richmond Road. Space is limited so if you want to attend please RSVP to your club secretary, Fiona Beck by 1 December (fiona.beck@sccn.bm or phone 337 6065). The price will be $75.00 per person plus gratuities.
Organization has started for the 2009 International Light Tackle Tournament, which will kick off with the Captains' meeting on Sunday 14 June and conclude with the prize giving on Saturday 20 June. Expect more news on the Club's flagship tournament over the next few months.
Some of our Club members are currently attending tournaments off the Island or will be fishing elsewhere over the Christmas and New Year period.
Brian Lines recently headed off to Panama to participate in a tournament at the well known Tropic Star Lodge. According to the Lodge's website over 250 world records have been broken at the Lodge.
Cindy Mitchell has returned from competing at an IWFA Light Tackle Tournament in Islamorada. Cindy landed a very nice Tarpon during a much improved Tarpon bite when compared to the conditions that prevailed in 2007. This is quite a tournament. Over three days 50 anglers landed 453 Jack Crevalle, 343 Ladyfish, 141 Redfish, 236 Sea Trout, 410 Snook, 32 Tarpon, and achieved 14 Backcountry Slams. See if you can spot Cindy in this tournament photo!
Dean Rea and Fiona Beck will be making their annual Christmas and New Year migration to fish the waters in the Kingdom of Tonga. Expect some (hopefully true!!) tales of bruising encounters with big Giant Trevally or GTs as they are more commonly known in the South Pacific. According to the 2008 IGFA records the All Tackle Record for a GT is an incredible fish of 160lbs 7oz. That's some species of Jack!
Club Catch Records
Finally remember to email Francis Patterson with your catches as they come to hand over the fall and winter months. Francis needs to know the species, the line class, and the weight of the fish, the date and the boat on which the fish was caught, along with any method of catch (fly, spincast or spinchum) other than conventional. Francis' email is fhpp@northrock.bm.
"Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all Club members".
Contacting the Club
If you need to contact the Club just email us at bermudaanglersclub@bermuda.com.