Fishing from a
pier
Angling is a form of
fishing. It is often used synonymously with the terms
sport fishing and recreational fishing, although subtle semantic
distinctions exist among the three terms. Specifically,
angling is the practice of catching
fish by means of an "angle" (hook). The hook is usually
attached by a line to a fishing rod. A bite indicator such
as a float is sometimes, but not always, used. Frequently,
the rod is outfitted with a fishing reel that functions as a
mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line.
The hook can be dressed with lures or bait. Generally,
angling is thought of, principally, as a method of sport
fishing but some commercial fisheries use methods which are quite
similar.
Introduction
A
fishing hook.
The use of the hook in angling is descended,
historically, from what would today be called a "gorge." The
word "gorge", in this context, comes from an archaic word
meaning "throat." Gorges were used by ancient peoples to
capture fish. A gorge was a long, thin piece of bone or
stone attached by its midpoint to a thin line. The gorge
would be fixed with a bait so that it would rest parallel to
the lay of the line. When a fish would swallow the bait, a
tug on the line would cause the gorge to orient itself at
right angles to the line, thereby sticking in the fish's
gullet.
Angling, insofar as it can be considered equivalent to
recreational or sport fishing, is a popular activity in many
parts of the world. The species of fish pursued by anglers
vary greatly with geography. Among the many species of salt
water fish that are caught for sport are swordfish, marlin,
tuna, salmon and halibut. In North America, the most popular
fresh water sport species include bass, pike, walleye,
muskellunge, yellow perch, trout, salmon, catfish, crappie,
bluegill and sunfish. In Europe, a large number of anglers
fish for species such as carp, pike, tench, rudd, roach,
European perch and barbel (especially in stillwaters). Although some fish
are sought for their value as
food, others are pursued for their fighting abilities or
for the difficulty of pursuit.
Removing the hook from an unidentified species
of
Mackerel.
Which of the various techniques an angler may choose is
dictated mainly by the target species and by its habitat.
Angling can be separated into two distinct categories: using
either artificial or natural baits.
The natural bait angler, with few exceptions, will use a
common prey species of the fish as an attractant. The
natural bait used may be alive or dead. Common natural baits
include
worms, leeches, minnows, frogs, salamanders, and insects. Natural baits are effective due to the lifelike
texture, odour and colour of the bait presented, and require
a relatively simple presentation.
By contrast, the artificial bait angler uses a man-made
lure that may or may not represent prey. The lure may
require a specialised presentation to impart an enticing
action as, for example, in
fly fishing.
Laws and regulations managing angling vary greatly, often
regionally, within countries. These commonly include permits
(licences), closed periods (seasons) where specific species
are unavailable for harvest, restrictions on gear types, and
quotas. For instance, an angler in the UK is legally
required to hold a permit which allows the angler to fish
with two rods for non-migratory fish. Any fish captured must
be returned to the water otherwise unharmed. In most
jurisdictions, there are legal penalties associated with
breaching the regulations. In general, anglers are strongly
advised to check and become fully aware of all angling laws
and regulations in a local area before setting out to fish.
Laws generally prohibit catching fish with hooks other
than in the mouth (snagging) or the use of nets other than
as an aid in landing a captured fish. Some species, such as
bait fish, may be taken with nets, and a few for food.
Sometimes, (non-sport) fish are considered of lesser value
and it may be permissible to take them by methods like
snagging, bow and arrow, or spear. None of these techniques
fall under the definition of angling since they do not rely
upon the use of a hook and line.
Sometimes considered within the broad category of angling
is a fairly recent phenomenon where contestants compete for
prizes based on the total weight of fish, usually of a
pre-determined species, caught within a specified time
(fishing
tournaments). Such contests have evolved from local
fishing contests into large competitive circuits, where
professional anglers are supported by commercial
endorsements. Professional anglers are not generally
considered to be engaged in commercial fishing, even though
they gain an economic reward. Similar competitive fishing
exists at the amateur level with local fishing derbies. In
general, derbies are distinguished from tournaments; derbies
normally require fish to be killed. Tournaments normally
deduct points if fish can not be released alive.
Fishing techniques for fresh
waters in temperate climes
When fishing, keep at some distance from the fish's
expected location, so that your shadow does not fall upon
the water and spook your prey. Most anglers also discourage,
for similar reasons, laughter, stomping the ground, or loud
conversation.
If the water is still, use smaller pieces of bait; if
there is a strong current, use large pieces; do this quietly
and cautiously because fish can feel vibrations around them
and can actually see forms, movement and shadows above the
water. It is generally accepted that fish in heavily fished
waters become more wary and, consequently, more resistant to
capture.
When the wind blows right across the water, fish with
your back to the wind, as you will not only be able to throw
your line better, but the fish will be on that side,
attracted by the flies and other natural bait which the wind
will blow into it.
The common earthworm is a universal bait for fresh water
angling. Worms can be found in dark damp areas or at night
when they surface to conjugate. In attempting to capture
earthworms as bait, be aware that they are sensitive to
light; the use of a red lens on a flashlight filters the
light to wavelengths not detectable by the worm. If a worm
senses the light from an unfiltered flashlight, it will
quickly seek refuge in its burrow in the earth. Grubs and
maggots are considered excellent bait when trout fishing;
they can be collected in freshly ploughed earth, under old
stumps, under decaying foliage, in rotting animal flesh,
etc. Grasshoppers, bees and even ants are also used as bait
for trout in their season, although many anglers believe
that trout or salmon roe is superior to any other bait.
Many people prefer to fish solely with
lures, which are artificial baits designed to entice fish to
strike. A common way to fish a soft plastic worm is the
Texas Rig.
Responsible use of bait fish
Fathead minnow — a common
bait fish.
The capture, transportation and culture of bait fish are
means by which exotic species of fish and other nuisance
organisms are spread between fresh water environments. The
irresponsible use and handling of bait fish has caused
severe damage to aquatic
ecosystems. Using exotic species as bait is generally
not recommended.
Conscious effort to maintain a healthy ecosystem is
always a factor on reponsible bait use. Like avoiding
emptying bait buckets into fishing venues at the end of the
day, considering the environment when collecting bait, and
avoiding overharvested bait fish areas. That also includes
the avoidance of causing severe damage on river banks and
stream beds in search for earthworms or other
invertebrates.
Awareness that transportation of fish from one location
to another can contravene the law and the introduction of
fish alien to the vicinity can be a concern since it may
introduce diseases and parasites from other areas.
A brief note on saltwater fishing
For saltwater fishing, shrimp is the leading bait. The
shedder crab, in its season, is most effective, particularly
for striped bass. The soft shell clam, cut in small pieces, is good bait for many kinds
of sea fish. Bait fish, whole or cut, and squid and octopus,
whole or cut, are also popular saltwater baits.
Preparing roe as a bait
As mentioned above, roe is an excellent bait for trout
and salmon. These are also effective baits for many other
fresh water fish besides trout. Many anglers preserve it as
follows: place the roe, either as separated (ovulated) eggs
or as whole skeins (ovaries), in warm water (not hot enough
to scald), remove any remnants of the filamentous supporting
membranes, rinse well in cold water, and allow to dry. The
next day, salt it with 60 g of table salt and 10 g of
saltpeter to 500 g of roe. Let it stand another day and
then spread it to dry. When it becomes stiff, you can then
use it as bait. Many anglers will tie the roe into small
nylon bags (4 to 8 eggs per bag, depending on size.) This is
ideal for trout, and indeed for almost any fresh water fish.
Catch and release
Catch and release fishing is increasingly practiced,
especially by fly anglers. The general principle is that
releasing fish allows them to survive, thus avoiding
unintended depletion of the population. For species such as
marlin and muskellunge but, also, among few bass anglers,
there is a cultural
taboo against killing fish for food.
The practice of catch and release is abhorred by those
who consider it unethical to inflict pain upon a fish for
purposes of sport. Some of those who object to releasing
fish do not object to killing fish for food.
Adherents of catch and release dispute this charge,
pointing out that fish commonly feed on hard and spiky prey
items, and as such can be expected to have tough mouths, and
also that some fish will re-take a lure they have just been
hooked on, a behaviour that is unlikely if hooking were
painful.
A definitive science-based conclusion on the issue is
unavailable. However, a 2006 study suggested that many fish
die because of the stress and injuries inflicted by
catch-and-release fishing. Fish were tracked after being
caught in a La Crosse, WI fishing tournament. Within a few
days, hundreds of the fish were found dead, many from
Largemouth Bass virus. According to media reports,
Largemouth Bass virus "can cause death when the fish is
stressed."
[1] On the other hand a
number of UK carp waters contain fish that have been caught
and released so many times that they have been given names!
Opponents of catch and release fishing would find it
preferable to ban or to severely restrict angling. On the
other hand, proponents would appeal to the idea that
burgeoning human populations place increasing stresses on
fish populations and that restricting angling is not
reasonable.
In some jurisdictions, in the Canadian province of
Manitoba, for example, catch and release is mandatory
for some species. Many of the jurisdictions which mandate
the live release of sport fish also require the use of
artificial lures and barbless hooks to minimise the chance
of injury to fish.
Barbless hooks, which can be purchased from major
manufacturers or which can be created from a standard hook
by removing the barb with pliers, are sometimes resisted by
anglers because they believe that increased escapement is
the inevitable result. Barbless hooks reduce handling time,
thereby increasing survival. Concentrating on keeping the
line taut while fighting fish, using recurved point or
"triple grip" style hooks on lures, and equipping lures that
do not have them with split rings can significantly reduce
escapement.
Criticism
Animal protection advocates have tried to raise awareness
about the "suffering" of fish caused by angling. In light of
recent research, some countries, like Germany, have banned
specific types of fishing and the British RSPCA now formally
prosecutes individuals who are cruel to fish.
[2] Experiments done by William Tavolga provide
evidence that fish have pain and fear responses. For
instance, in Tavolga’s experiments, toadfish grunted when
electrically shocked and over time they came to grunt at the
mere sight of an electrode.
[3] Additional tests conducted at both the
University of Edinburgh and the Roslin Institute, in which
bee venom and acetic acid was injected into the lips of
rainbow trout, resulted in fish rubbing their lips along the
sides and floors of their tanks in an effort to relieve
themselves of the pain.[4]
Dr. Lynne Sneddon wrote "Our research demonstrates
nociception and suggests that noxious stimulation in the
rainbow trout has adverse behavioral and physiological
effects. This fulfils the criteria for animal pain."
[5] Dr. Donald Broom at Cambridge University
states, “The scientific literature is quite clear.
Anatomically, physiologically and biologically, the pain
system in fish is virtually the same as in birds and
mammals."[6]
However Professor James Rose of the University of Wyoming
emphasizes the distinction between reaction to injury and
psychological experience of pain. He points out that the
absence of a neocortex in the fish brain means that fish
lack the means to experience pain in the same way as humans.
[7]
See also
External links