Fishing

I

Introduction

Fishing, act of catching fish. Fishing for sport, recreation, and relaxation is called sportfishing, or angling, derived from the Old English word angel, meaning “fishhook.” This article addresses angling; for information on large-scale commercial fishing, see Fisheries.

Angling is one of the most popular forms of recreation in the world. People fish from shore and from boats, for almost every type of game fish (a fish that is prized for the sport involved in catching it). Fishing equipment, called tackle, is simple. The basic tools are a rod, a reel, fishing line, and hooks and lures. Because tackle is inexpensive and finding a place to fish is easy, almost anyone can fish. The sport provides a source of fresh food, and anglers also enjoy the time spent outdoors.

II

Fundamentals

Sportfishing may be done in fresh water or salt water. Freshwater fishing takes place in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. Game fish in these waters include trout, bass, and many other species. They range in size, from fish as small as 0.25-kg (0.5-lb) bluegills to as large as 45-kg (100-lb) king salmon. Saltwater fishing occurs in oceans, estuaries, and tidal rivers. Game fish found in these waters tend to be larger than average freshwater fish. They include snappers, bonefish, striped bass, and tuna. Fish as large as 70-kg (150-lb) sailfish and tarpon, and 225-kg (500-lb) marlin, can be found.

The three most favored methods of fishing in both salt and fresh water are bait fishing (the use of live or dead bait placed on a hook), spin fishing (the use of metal or plastic lures), and fly-fishing (the use of feathered lures resembling either insects or small fish). In all three methods, a fisher chooses a rod, a reel, and line of an appropriate weight and strength. Lures are chosen that imitate the game fish’s prey.

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Once the angler has walked, waded, or boated to an area where game fish are found, he or she casts the bait, lure, or fly into the water and then reels it in. If a fish attacks the bait, the angler attempts to secure the hook in the fish’s mouth by setting the hook—that is, lifting the rod in a quick, powerful motion so that the hook lodges in the fish’s mouth. The fishing rod bends and the reel releases line when the fish attempts to flee, but when the fish rests, the angler can bring it closer by reeling in the line. When the fish is brought close enough, the angler captures it with a net or other tool, such as a gaff. If the fish is not to be kept for food, an angler will examine it for a few moments (always keeping it underwater), unhook it, and release it.

The best sportfishing occurs in spring and fall, when game fish are most active, either searching for prey or reproducing. Although they may be caught during winter and summer, fish are generally more sluggish then and less apt to chase an angler’s lure. Several other factors influence fishing. Water temperature is important, as different species are more active at different temperature levels. Also, if a fish’s natural prey is nearby, that game fish will be active. Some fish, particularly in salt water, move to different areas depending upon the phase of the moon and the levels of the ocean tides. Weather affects game fish activity, as fish are more likely to search for food before and after bad weather, when the water is disturbed.

III

Fishing Tackle

Anglers generally catch fish one at a time, using a combination of tackle. This distinguishes them from commercial fishers, who catch many fish at once using only one piece of tackle, such as a large net or a long line with hundreds of hooks. The most common pieces of sportfishing tackle are a rod, a reel, fishing line, and hooks and lures.

A

Fishing Rods

A fishing rod is a long, straight, flexible pole that an angler uses to cast bait or lures into the water. Fishing rods can be made of bamboo, fiberglass, or graphite. Bamboo rods range from inexpensive cane poles without reels to finely handcrafted fly-fishing rods. Fiberglass rods are the most popular rods with beginners. They are relatively inexpensive, not easily broken, and require little maintenance. Graphite has become a popular rod material for experienced anglers because it is extremely light yet strong.

Rod length depends upon the fishing an angler intends to do—not only the type of game fish sought after, but also the type of water and the surrounding landscape. Short, flexible rods are often used in locations where overhanging tree limbs and branches limit an angler’s casting area. Long, wispy rods up to 4 m (12 ft) in length may be used for long casts in moderate winds. Shorter, sturdier rods are used for pulling heavy game fish from the depths of large lakes or the ocean. The diameter of the rod determines its flexibility, which is the measure of how far it can bend without breaking when a fish is fighting hard. Thicker and stronger rods are used for bigger, more aggressive fish that would break medium and small rods.

The rod has a grip or handle made of high-quality cork or foam. Several small metal rings called ferrules are attached to the rod from the handle to the tip, including one on the very tip of the rod. These ferrules serve as guides for the fishing line. They help the line flow smoothly when the angler casts and retrieves, and the last guide helps control the direction of casts. Most rods also have a reel seat that secures the reel onto the rod near the grip.

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