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February 8th - Report by Amy Flass:   The best thing about New York in winter is that it's only two hours from a sunny February day, spent catching Wahoo in Bermuda.

I was told that both the fishing and the weather in Bermuda during the winter months were a bit "unpredictable", but the morning of February 16, 2008 was looking good!  I even remarked to Peter, on the run out, that I had really lucked out both weather-wise (a sunny 70 degree day!) and with regard to the flat, calm conditions we were experiencing.  Pete was then good enough to inform me that rainy rough days were actually much better for Wahoo fishing. Oh. That was the first time I had heard that.  But,that Wahoo enjoy inclement weather was just the beginning of the education that I was to receive that day, aboard "De Mako”.

Lesson #2 - Ballyhoo Rigging

As Peter was getting the baits ready to get into their skirts and go to work, he was good enough to show me the proper ballyhoo rigging technique. With some close supervision (and a friendly reminder to free the hook at the end), my bally was ready to go for a swim. Peter put her out on the center rigger. Not long after the spread was out and one angler awoke from her nap in the salon, it happened - STRIKE!

Lesson #3 - The Center Rigger Has a Lot of Line Out

Great news - we had a fish on and it had eaten the bait that I rigged!  But, as I started reeling, I realized that Jeff's "Man, that's a lot of string out there" comment may have actually been a valid statement, not just trash-talk. After a battle lasting about 15 minutes and a very sore left bicep, this lesson was taught to me by a 58lb Wahoo.

So, the day was progressing nicely...all of the anglers were finally awake and in the cockpit, there was a fish in the box and our mate was wondering to himself if he had given away too many of his trade secrets.  I assured him that my ballyhoo success should be attributed to beginners luck and that I would not make any attempts to steal his job in the near future.  We were ready for another fish.  Instead, we got two.

Lesson #4 - Style Points Count in a Double Strike

I stood on the bridge and watched Jenni and Jeff fight fish at the same time.  From that vantage point, it became apparent that whilst both anglers appeared to have experience, one of them brought fish to the boat with the grace one might expect from a ballerina-cum-fisherwoman, and the other with...well...a move that will forever be known as "The Shimmy".

Final Style Point Tally: Jenni-9.9  Jeff-2.3 (with points deducted for almost being dragged into the fish box by his wee-hoo).

After the double strike, it was my turn to catch another fish, and we batted around the order twice more, until late afternoon. It was time to head back to the dock with our catch.   

To sum up, my President's Day fishing trip consisted of three (very cheeky) anglers, nine Wahoo, an incredible captain/mate team and a lot of laughs.  I can't think of a better way to have spent my long weekend in Bermuda (but hey, I'm a New Yorker).

A big thanks and all the best to Allen and Petey.