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Fishing

Fishing is both the recreation and sport of catching fish (for food or as a trophy), and the commercial fishing industry of catching or harvesting seafood (either fish or other aquatic life-forms, such as shellfish). Fishing is done in a river, canal, lake, sea or ocean, from the shore or from a boat or ship (or occasionally, as in the picture, standing in the water).

Table of contents

1 Commercial fishing 2 Recreational fishing 2.1 How to fish 2.1.1 Preparing baits 2.1.2 To tie a hook to a line 2.2 Catch and Release 3 See also: 4 External links:

Commercial fishing

Commercial fishing is often called the most dangerous occupation in the world. Fishing provides a large quantity of food to many countries around the world, but those who practice it must often pursue fish far into the ocean and during bad weather. Commercial fishermen harvest almost all aquatic species, from tuna, cod and salmon to shrimp, lobster, clams, and squid. Commercial fishing methods have become very efficient using huge nets and sea-borne processing factories. Fishing has been increasingly restricted often integrated with varieties of fishing rights allocation schemes, and international treaties have sought to limit the yearly fishing effort.

Commercial fish raising in the forms of aquaculture and mariculture supplement the free-range catch of fish.

Recreational fishing

Laws generally prohibit the use of nets and catching fish with hooks not in the mouth. However some species can be taken with nets for bait and a few for food, like smelt. "Trash" (non-sport) fish considered of less value can sometimes be taken by multiple methods like snagging, bow and arrow, or even gun because they are seen as competing with more valuable fish.

Recreational fishing laws may also cover other aquatic species, such as frogs and turtles.

Sport fishing is a recent phenomenon of recreational fishing where fisherman compete for prizes based on the total weight of fish caught in a time limit. This sport evolved from local fishing derbies into a large competition circuit in the U.S.A. with professional fishermen competing supported by professional endorsements, and other large-scale tournaments around the world.

How to fish

The common angle worm is a universal bait for fresh water angling. They grow almost everywhere except in sandy soils. The common white grub is also used successfully in trout fishing. They are found in fresh ploughed earth, and under old stumps, decaying foliage, etc. The grasshopper is also good for trout in his season. The trout or salmon spawn will attract trout quicker than any other possible bait. Caterpillars, flies, locusts, beetles, etc., are good for trout.

Live bait consists of the minnow, the shiner (or mullet), the goldfish and other small fish. Ponds of these fish are kept by those who furnish baits, and by some habitual sportsmen.

The frog is an excellent bait for pickerel. They are sometimes used whole, but in case where you use the hind legs only, they should be skinned.

For saltwater fishing, the shrimp is the leading bait. The shedder crab, in its season, is most excellent, particularly for striped bass. The soft shell clam, cut in small pieces, is a good bait for many kinds of sea fish. The horse mackerel or small blue fish is an excellent bait. Where the tide runs swift, use the tail, leaving on the fins.

Preparing baits

To tie a hook to a line

Catch and Release

See also:

• Fishery
• Fishing line
• Fishing hook
• Fishing reel
• Fishing rod
• Long-line fishing
• Overfishing
• Noodling
• Sinker
• Trawling
• Trolling for fish

• How to fish taken from the Boy's Own Book of Outdoor Sports (early 1900s)
• Effects of Water Quality - the ability to find fish will ultimately rest on the water quality.
• Water Quality relationship - even if the fish survive can they be consumed safely?