Sportfishing is a fun activity people have been doing for so long. It’s also known as recreational fishing because people do it for fun as a hobby to chill, relax and spend time with nature. Sometimes even others hold competitions and win awards in the sport.
Sportfishing is different from other types of fishing, such as commercial fishing or fishing for sustenance, because it is not meant to get food or profits but purely for pleasure.
Just like any other fishing, sportfishing includes the use of Avet reels, fishing rods or hooks. When most anglers go sport fishing, they catch the fish and release them back into the water. In some competitions, you can even lose if your catch dies before judges assess your catch.
Types of sportfishing
The different types of sportfishing include:
Fly-fishing
Fly-fishing is the most common type of sport fishing. It includes a fishing technique where anglers use a fly as bait. The method they use for fly-fishing is what makes it fun. They put a fly or bug at the end of the reel then place it on the water. This is meant to appear as if a bug has landed on top of the water.
Fly-fishing is different from typical fishing, where the bait is presented to the fish below the water. With fly-fishing, you have to be strategic when casting your line so as not to scare the fish.
Most people enjoy fly-fishing because you get to be out in nature, beautiful scenery, fresh air and having fun. Once you catch the fish, you release it back into the water.
Saltwater fly-fishing
Fishing in saltwater takes different forms, and you can have fun in many ways. You can enjoy saltwater fly-fishing from the beach, boat while surfing, from a pier or by wading. You can also practice fly-fishing on saltwater, and the most common saltwater fly-fishing activities are wade fishing shallow flats if you want to catch bonefish and redfish.
The second method is inshore casting from a shallow draft boat to catch snook, redfish, sea trout and striped bass. Both these methods are best done in backwaters and flats. Both activities also have an element of sight fishing which is searching for and casting to observable fish. Fly-fishing in salt waters requires stealth and precision.
Rod and reel
Rod and reel is a typical style of sport fishing done by anglers where they use a fishing rod and reel. They can use a wide range of baits or lures to catch fish. Other devices anglers may use are usually to complement the fishing rod as bait for the targeted fish.
If you are looking for trophy fish such as the blue marlin, it will require patience and strategy. You might have to travel miles offshore to go hunting.
Land-based rod and reel
Some anglers fish from the shore using a rod and a reel and get trophy fish. They use the same heavy-duty tackle, rod and reel as they would on a boat. Usually, the angler would stand on a rock platform that extends out into the water. Then they attach a balloon and live bait to the line. The balloon is used as a bobber to keep the bait they are operating at a preferred depth and a sail to let the currents move the rig inshore.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing is probably one of the oldest forms of fishing, dating back to the olden times where they didn’t have access to modern equipment for fishing. Spearfishing doesn’t require bait or a lot of gear. If you are good at diving and using a speargun, then you are good to go. However, when spearfishing, you have to take care you don’t hurt other anglers.
There are different techniques to spearfishing, including:
Shallow water spearfishing
Shallow water spearfishing involves spearfishing from above the water or just under the water. It is the simplest technique for spearfishing, which is perfect for new anglers, and you do not need special gear for it. You can practice shallow spearfishing from a boat, kayak or the shore.
Freedive spearfishing
Most spearos are good divers, and if you want to become a good spearo, you must be a good diver. Mastering the art of underwater breathing and learning how to swim underwater are all essential for your safety, as well as improving your odds of catching any fish. There are a few diving techniques you can try:
- Start small – you can start practicing in shallow waters to get a feel of the sport and get comfortable in the water before going deep underwater.
- Remember to relax to conserve your energy – if you use a lot of energy underwater, you will run out of breath faster and decrease your chances of catching any fish. When you relax underwater, you can control your breathing, allowing you to stay under for longer.
- Stealth – you are not a fish, and you definitely will not outswim any of them. With spearfishing, the element of surprise is the best course of action. Ensure you make your movements underwater slow and stealthily until you can make your move.
- Equalize – this technique is used to help you make up for the difference in pressure underwater. Ensure you close your mouth and cover your nose. Try to blow out the air until you hear a pop sound but remember not to blow out too hard. You might hurt your eardrums.
Scuba dive spearfishing
Spearfishing with scuba gear allows you to go even deeper underwater, where you can catch even bigger fish. It enables you to stay underwater for longer, and you can study the behavior of the fish you are hunting.
Sportfishing differs from traditional fishing, where you would cast your line and wait for the fish to bite. With sportfishing, you cast your line over and over, you change locations to hunt the fish — that’s what makes it more fun. There are times some even do it for competition and win prizes for the biggest fish caught.