Future of Fishing

Welcome back to all my followers. I appreciate all my reader's patience and dedication to reading about a topic so dear to my heart. In this installment we will discuss the future of fishing, and two of the most destructive problems that affect it.

 

The picture above is of a commercial fishing boat. One of the major concerns for the future of fishing is overfishing. Overfishing is not just caused by commercial fisherman, but they are the most recognizable culprit. Due to the large amount of fish and other sea life that these boats haul in on a regular basis, it is important that law makers establish firm guidelines when regulating just how much they are allowed to catch and keep. Without these laws, the profit hungry commercial fisherman would strip our oceans of certain fish without concern for the affects on population and breeding of these species. My personal feelings about this problem are satisfied on one side but concerned on the other. I feel that the lawmakers have done a good job in setting the limits and rules for fishing, but I don't feel like adequate resources have been made available for the law officers that are tasked with enforcing the rules and regulations.

The other major concern that affects the future of fishing is pollution. Pollution is probably the single most damaging event in terms of killing fish. Pollution can range from household garbage and trash, to thousands of gallons of oil and other harmful chemicals. Pollution not only kills or sickens adult fish, but it also destroys millions of fish eggs that are the future breeding generations of thousands of species. When we wipe out that many eggs, we not only hurt the immediate fish population but also the population for years to come. Even the fish that survive an encounter with pollution may not be safe for humans or other sea life to consume. This cycle does not just affect the amount of consumable fish for humans but also for the rest of the chain of life. The birds, whales, and seals that depend on fish for survival are also put at risk of starvation and sickness. I feel that this particular problem is squarely mankind's fault. We have dumped our waste wherever we want for hundreds of years, and now the effects of that carelessness are coming back to haunt us. We have not even come close to doing enough when it comes to cleaning up pollution and preventing future pollution. Each day we add massive amounts of pollution to our ecosystem, and the majority of all pollution winds up in the ocean.

In general I feel that we are taking the right steps to prevent overfishing, but we have not even scratched the surface of what we need to do concerning pollution. As long as we are more concerned about money and comfort, our water's will suffer for our actions. The task of cleaning up our world is a daunting one, but if we do not start to seriously consider the consequences of our actions, then we will not have a fish population or an inhabitable world left.

Geared to Fish

Welcome back to the Importance of Fishing. In this post we will take a more detailed look at some of the gear associated with fishing and what fish are typically targeted with the use of said gear.

 

The picture above is of a  Bass Pro Shops Graphite Series Spinning Rod. This rod comes in a variety of different lengths and actions. The action is defined as light, medium, medium heavy, and heavy. In layman's terms the length and action are often referred to as a rod's "backbone". On a spinning rod the reel is mounted underneath the rod as you would hold it. This rod can also be purchased as a baitcaster. A baitcaster has an open faced reel that mounts on top of the rod as you would hold it. I selected this rod for several reason. The first reason is because of it's quality make with an affordable price tag. The other main reason for choosing this rod is because of it's great crossover ability. This rod can be used effectively in both fresh and saltwater scenarios. In freshwater this rod has plenty of "backbone" to land lunker bass or large catfish. It can be used in saltwater in similar fashion to catch trout and has the strength to handle Redfish as well. 

 

The reel on the left is an example of a spinning reel, and the reel on the right is an example of a baitcasting reel. Different fisherman have different preferences when it comes to which style of reel they prefer to use, and the reels have different styles in which you fish them, but no matter which reel you decide to use, they are both capable of catching the same fish. Most fisherman will agree that the baitcasting reel is more difficult to master and fish with. One of the challenges that determine which reel I use is the wind. If it is windy, then I will not even try to use a baitcaster. However, if the wind is not blowing, then I will use a baitcaster for it's ability to cast further and more accurately. The spinning reel is a reliable all weather reel that any fisherman can learn to use quickly.

In my next post we will take a look at the future of fishing and some of the problems and concerns that affect both commercial and recreational fisherman. I will also add my personal feelings concerning these issues and whether these problems are being properly addressed. 

Funny Fishing

Welcome back to To The Importance of Fishing. Our last installment was about answering some important questions, but this post we are gonna have a little fun.

Sometimes fishing can be boring, and I know first hand how that feels with my vast fishing experience. However, the one the that always brings me back to fishing is that unknown of never knowing exactly what you might catch or what might happen. Remember, you are out in nature, and nature is unpredictable.

One funny story that I remember from fishing happened on a large charter fishing boat. This boat was huge and easily had twenty to thirty people fishing from the sides of it. I have no dislike for rookie fisherman, but I can easily spot one. Such was the case with Fisherman Doe that I was casually observing a few people down from me. He suddenly yelled out and began furiously working the bent over fishing rod he was holding. After a few moments watching I knew something was not right about the behavior of his fish. Eventually one of the boat hands made his way over to the man and began trying to help him with his obviously massive catch. It wasn't long however before he to saw what I had seen. He instructed the man to hand over the fishing pole. The man refused because if it was a record fish he would not be able to claim it if he passed the rod off. The boat hand informed him that no matter what it was he was not going to catch it if he did not hand him the rod. Finally the man complied and gave him the rod, which the boat hand gave a massive yank and then handed back to him. The rod was still slightly bent over with something on, so the boat hand told him to continue trying to reel in his catch. When all was done and he got it to the surface he had literally caught a rock. He had managed to hook himself on the reef and mistook it as a fish. We all shared a laugh as the exhausted man proudly displayed his catch for all to see. I have to admit that it was a pretty rock. The man wanted to keep it as a souvenir, but it is illegal to remove and keep coral. After that I didn't see him fishing anymore that day.

The reason I chose this story is to point out an important fact for anyone who wants to go deep sea fishing in the future. When the experts on the boat tell you not to fish on the bottom, it might be wise to listen. You want to fish near the bottom sometimes, but if you fish directly on the bottom you will only catch rocks even if a fish does bite your hook.

In my next post we will take a detailed look at some of the equipment and the preferred fish to target with this gear.

Fishing for Knowledge

Welcome back to the fifth edition of The Importance of Fishing. There have been some very good questions asked over the last few weeks, and I would like to answer some of those. I will also discuss what those questions have made me relearn about fishing. The questions that my readers asked, have made me go back into my mental warehouse of fishing knowledge and revisit some of the more basic importance's to myself and other fisherman.

First I would like to list some of the questions asked, and answer them as best I can.

Question 1: What are some tips that you would give on deep water fishing?

Answer 1: The most important tip I would give about deep water fishing, is to ALWAYS have the proper safety equipment on-board the boat. Examples include: life jackets, long range radio, flares, fresh water, food, and any equipment needed for large fish.

Question 2: What is the most important thing to consider while fishing in deep water?

Answer 2: This one is an easy one and relates to Question 1. SAFETY! There is nothing else more important than safety while doing any style of fishing, especially in deep water.

Question 3:  Do you prefer fresh water or salt water fishing? 

Answer 3: I most definitely prefer salt water over fresh. The reason is simple. You will typically get a lot more action from a larger spectrum of fish while in salt water. Basically, in salt water, you never know what you might catch. For instance, while fishing for Sea Trout (about 20 inches long and maybe a pound), I hooked in to a 75lbs Tarpon.

  

 Final Question: Does fishing in competitions require years of practice or could you start as a beginner?

Final Answer: There are fishing competitions that range in difficulty from beginner to pro all over the world, but I would definitely try to learn a bit about the fish and location before you spend that money on the gas and entry fees. Most pro tournaments won't let you enter unless you have spent time on the amateur circuit with a good record.

These are all really good questions, and made me remember a lot about my passion that I had taken for granted after all these years. I have since checked all my safety gear to insure its working condition. Some of the equipment was in need of replacement, so thanks to those reminders I will have the proper gear next time I head out to fish. I also was unsure of the current Pro Circuit entry rules, so I took a look at some of those as well. I will not begin to list them all, but any fisherman wishing to participate on the Pro Circuit must spend time in the Amateur Circuit first. However, if you are a decent fisherman and have lots of money to spend on your fishing toys, it shouldn't take you very long to get on the pro tours.

That's it for this edition. Be sure to check out my next installment for some funny fish tales, and to learn about a very close and humorous family, fisherman can be.

Represent the Fish

Welcome back to this weeks fishing blog. In this post I would like to talk a little about a big issue that seriously impacts fisherman and that is conservation. As a sportsman I know that conservation is a huge priority. We want to make sure that the fish are not only there for our future generations, but the fish need to be healthy and safe for consumption. Three of the the most credible pioneers for conservation in this region are Bass Pro, Georgia DNR, and Florida Sportsman. All three have a long standing commitment and understanding to the importance of conserving our natural outdoor wonders.

Bass Pro Shops is one of the Nation's leading retailers in all things outdoors. They have experts employed that can advise on any topic involving the outdoors that you can possibly think of. As an organization they are regularly involved in teaching the youth about safe practices in nature, conservation of our natural resources, and how to just have fun and maximize your adventure.

Florida Sportsman

Florida Sportsman has been around since 1969 and they lead the charge in not just Florida but in the Nation's capitol when it comes to conserving our fishing waters. FS provides a voice for anglers to tell the government what's really going on in our waters. FS fights for fair fish size limits, bag limits, and season open and closure dates. FS also helps fund research that helps determine these limits. They take all this information, find out what the government is going to do about it, and then educate the fisherman so that we know what we can and can't do.

 

Most of us have heard of the GA DNR, but if you have not, it is a government organization that monitors and controls hunting and fishing activities in the state of Georgia. Each state has their own DNR, charged with distributing rules, regulations, and licenses to the public. These rules, regulations, and licenses go a long way towards furthering conservation. It helps to prevent poaching and other illegal activities that might harm our outdoors. The DNR maintains parks throughout the state, and provides information to visitors about our natural resources and why they are so important to protect.  

With the help of organizations like these, we stand a better chance of protecting our natural resources. It is important that we protect our world, so that future generations can enjoy the same outdoor activities we enjoy today.

In my next post, we will look at a few questions from my readers, and explore some of the concerns that fisherman face. 

Fish Tales

In this weeks post I would like to share a true "Fish Tale" of a story with my followers, and answer some very good questions that I have received regarding fishing. As I discussed in my previous post, there are several different styles of fishing. My personal favorite falls under the saltwater fishing category. For simplicity the two most popular styles of saltwater fishing are coastal and deep sea. They mean exactly that. Coastal means you are fishing within just a few miles of the coast and in relatively shallow water. Deep sea fishing you will find yourself in much deeper water, but it can still be within a few miles of the coast. This particular story occurred in deep water approximately twenty miles out in the Gulf of Mexico.

From the time I was a child and well into my teen years, I spent at least three months out of the year at my family's beach house in Alligator Point, Florida. It was there that I learned most if not all of my saltwater fishing skills. One summer, when I was ten or eleven, my neighbor, my dad, and myself went on a deep sea fishing trip about twenty miles out to the O Tower. It was well over one hundred feet out that far. We came upon a spot that showed lots and lots of fish on the radar equipment, so we stopped and dropped anchor. We quickly began catching a lot of large Red Grouper.

  

So fast were the fishing biting, that many times the bait did not even reach the bottom before a fish was on. Suddenly the "bite" just stopped. We couldn't even get a nibble or anything. We were not too bummed because we had caught so many already, but it was still early in the day. We figured we would wait it out a bit and see if the fish started biting again. During this lull in the action we decided to eat lunch, but we still had our poles in the holders and our baits in the water. Suddenly my rod bent completely over for just a heart beat and then went completely slack. I reeled in the line to find that my line had been cut. I re-rigged the hook and line with a steel leader and sent my bait back down to the bottom. Suddenly my pole bent over again, but this time with the steel leader in place it didn't go slack. I immediately went to grab for the pole. I vaguely remember my Dad yelling no, but I was to eager to fight this fish. When I grabbed the rod and pulled it free of the holder I quickly realized my mistake. At that time I was a scrawny little kid and probably only weighed sixty or seventy pounds. This huge fish on the other end began to pull me overboard, and I refused to let go of the rod. If not for my father's speed in reaching me I would have been drug overboard. He quickly grabbed hold of me and guided me to a special chair designed for a fisherman to sit in and fight large fish. After about two hours of fighting this fish we finally go it alongside the boat. It was a seven foot Nurse Shark.

 

This was my first real lesson in safety while fishing. Many more would follow, but this mistake could have cost me my life. It was from this point on that I began to seriously learn about the equipment involved in fishing and how it can aid and keep you safe. Has anyone else had an accident while fishing? If you have, did you have the proper equipment to handle the situation? I know that is one mistake I will never make again. When fishing, especially in saltwater, always expect the unexpected. 
       Finally I will address a couple of questions asked by a few of my readers.
  
Question 1: What is the most important thing to know about fishing?

I chose this question because it directly relates to the point of my story. The most important thing about fishing is safety, so the most important thing to know about fishing is what equipment you will need to bring for whatever style of fishing you are doing. Had I waited until my dad put the safety harness on me before grabing the rod, I would not have nearly been yanked overboard.

Question 2: What's the most difficult part about fishing?

The most difficult part about fishing is having patience. Most fishing trips will not start like the one in my story where the fish are biting like crazy at any bait you offer. You have to have patience to keep trying different techniques and baits if the fish are not biting. Eventually you will find the right combo and the fish will let you know.

Well that's it for now. In my next post I will answer more questions and introduce several huge organizations that every fisherman should be familiar with. 

Fishing with Style

In my first blog post we talked about the sense of freedom and relaxation that fishing can bring you, but this week its all about style. So let's talk style. By that, I mean which style of fishing might best fit you, for what you want to accomplish while fishing. If you have a properly equipped boat, you probably don't want to sit around on the bank and peck away at some bream or walk halfway around the world to cast into that for sure bass spot. However, if you do not have a boat do not fear. You can have a full day of enjoyment while fishing from the bank.

From top to bottom you have Black Sea Bass, Spanish Mackerel, and Spotted Sea Trout.

The fish you see in the above picture are usually caught from boat. However, there are ways to catch these same fish from land, but we will not delve into that this round. As I said you usually will find yourself on a boat fishing for these, and we call this style Grass Flats Fishing. This particular style can be a little bit expensive, but it is definitely not at the high end cost for fishing. The general idea for this style is to take your boat out into your favorite saltwater grass flat, and drift along slowly while presenting the preferred bait. For those that don't know, a grass flat is a flat area of the ocean floor covered in grass in about 3-10 foot of water. Most of the fish found in the grass flats are predators and will strike at anything shiny or bloody. Many people feel it's more complicated than that, but it really is as simple as finding the right bait and getting it out in the water. The predators will do the rest.

Largemouth Bass caught by me at Lake Sunrise in Quitman, GA.

Now we move to the fishing done from the bank. Fishing from the bank can and does exclude you from some species,but as you can see from the picture just above, you can still catch a monster from the shore. The three most popular types of fish targeted in fresh water from the shore are bream, bass, and catfish. All of which are very tasty, I might add. The laziest style is for the catfish. All you need is a sturdy rod, medium sized hook, a heavy weight, and some chicken livers. Once your rigged just toss the bait out, take in the slack, and wait for a nibble. Pretty simple huh? It's also one of the cheapest fishing methods available. The brim fishing takes just a tad bit more work, because you will often have to re-bait your hook. All you need is a bamboo cane pole, 10 feet of light line, a small hook, a small float, and a can of worms, basket of crickets, or several slices of bread if you are squeamish. Toss your bait out, wait for the float to go under, and then give it a pull to set the hook. Wallah! You have caught yourself a brim. This style is also very cheap. The bass fishing takes the most work. You will have to move around a lot and you will cast and retrieve your lure countless times, but when that big fat bass grabs hold you will forget about all the work. This style is as cheap or expensive as you wish to make it. If you are after big bass, you probably need a good rod, and those vary in price. The lures are relatively cheap. The hardest part is figuring out which lure the bass in that area like, but when you start catching them you will have found the right one.

Next week I will share a story from one of my fishing trips. I will also talk more in depth on my favorite kind of fishing, and that is Saltwater Fishing.