Why is fishing so Popular?

Submitted: Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 11:45
ThreadID: 107608 Views:2807 Replies:8 FollowUps:4
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One of the more common interests amongst travellers is getting out the rods or the tinny, and spending time catching, or perhaps trying to catch fish.

I often wonder what the attraction is to this pastime; there must be something that provides the fisherman with pleasure to keep doing that which he loves.

Do fishermen catch fish for eating, or is it the thrill of hunting, or thrill of the chase?

I used to go fishing when I was a kid with my father, and did enjoy it at the time from memory. However, I guess I was taken fishing as my father didn’t know how to snare rabbits or catch kangaroos. To me it would seem to be the same thing as in being hunting, the food and the thrill of the chase would still be there. So perhaps fishing is a cultural thing. If fathers took their children out hunting for red meat, would the child be more prone to doing so as an adult?

Is it because fish actually taste better than red meat? I’d much prefer a barra to fried rabbit to be honest so maybe it is the quality of the meat that is procured.

Is process of fishing that is the attractant? My last fishing trip over a four day period near Kalbarri about four years ago was more memorable for catching up with old mates, than the fish that we caught (or didn’t catch).

I, and I guess many of us are surrounded by this love of fishing. Many of my friends and colleagues from work spent their entire annual leave going on fishing trips, some organised professional trips.

One only has to look at the TV guide or in the local newsagent or the camping store to see that fishing is, and will always be more popular than rabbit or kangaroo hunting. Why is this?

Cheers
Alan

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In whatever comes our way.



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Reply By: bks - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 14:20

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 14:20
I dont care if I catch a fish or not. I just love sitting quietly on a river bank watching the stream go by. If I catch a fish thats a bonus.

Slightly related, at the sydney camping show I was looking at the Multi rod. By putting it together with different sections of rod you can go from a surf rod to a trout rod, apparently 36 different combinations.

Has any one tried them? it would save me carry a surf rod boat rod and light fresh water rod as I do now.
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 16:41

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 16:41
bks,

I just had a look at their website and videos.

Very interesting. Would certainly save a lot of space.

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
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Follow Up By: Member - Roger B (VIC) - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 23:59

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 23:59
"If I catch a fish thats a bonus."

If I catch a fish it's often a nuisance !!!!!

Cheers...

Roger B...
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Reply By: The Bantam - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 15:11

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 15:11
It does not matter what pushes you buttons, fishing has it.

Only those with the most extreem aversions will find fishing unatractive.

It is the only hunting most people can access and it does not involve guns....the no guns bit removes a lot of objections.

Unless you are in a desertt land scape, you can easily access some sort of fishing.

While there is gutting a butchering involved with fish, its all relativly clean and civilsed.

If you are into boating..its a reason to own and boat and be on the water.

If you are into gadjets and stuff...there are plenty

If you like precision engineering.....Oh there is plenty of that.

If you want to spend money.....you can spend as much or as little as you like.

Its scalable ( chuckle) big fish, small fish..do it occasionaly or every day .large boat small boat..no boat at all....lots of money..hardly any money at all.

You can be a moderate environmentalist or a meat headed vandal and still find it attractive.

It appeals almost equally to men and women. It appeals to all ages

Yu can get the whole faimily involved

It is apass time that transends all ages, nationalities and social groups.

It is a universal pass time, that has universal appeal...arguably it has more universal apeal than sex.

Its a marketing dream.

cheers
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Follow Up By: equinox - Monday, May 05, 2014 at 20:29

Monday, May 05, 2014 at 20:29
Very good points Bantam.
It answer my query to a great extent.
If I had more time and wasn't so fidgety I may just try it again one day.
Cheers
Alan

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Reply By: Phil B (WA) - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 19:40

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 19:40
Hi Alan,
Why is fishing so popular you ask. A fisherman might ask why is 4Wdriving so popular, what’s there to see out there – at least I might bring home a fish he might say- lol.
I have a foot in both camps; it’s just in the last few years when my fishing buddies are no longer available so my passion for fishing has been curtailed.
What do I like fishing – almost the same as 4Wdriving, away from the crowds, 4wding to get there, great mates, the anticipation of the big one or a variety you haven’t caught before.
By the way although there is beach, jetty, boat and rock fishing my passion has always been land based game fishing. With my favourite spots being Quobba cliffs, Steep Point, False Entrance and Crayfish bay.
There’s nothing better than getting up at dawn and setting yourself up to do some spinning (lure tossing), wind it in toss it again. Your mind drifts away, you relax although your arm feels like its about to fall off, you do this for hours then you get hit, there’s a scream from the reel, line smokes off at lightning speed, as you start to see the spool empty the fish slows down, then it pump and wind, pump and wing, the fish takes another run and its starts again, eventually the fish is gaffed and the adrenalin rush is over.
Here are some fish caught at Steep Point.
Oh fishing might be a $20 rod and reel from Kmart for some (nothing wrong with that), for others its $100,000 boats, $1000 reels, air flights around the world etc – probably a bit like a 4Wdriver with diff locks, dual battery system, 4 inch lift, roof, rack, turbo, winch and so on.
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Follow Up By: equinox - Monday, May 05, 2014 at 20:35

Monday, May 05, 2014 at 20:35
Hi Phil,
I do remember some of your articles from a mag I can't remember a few years ago.

Nice sized fish by the way.

The way you describe it does seem to carry some level of excitement - might have to drop in a line next time I travel up the coast.

Cheers
Alan

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Reply By: Sigmund - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 19:56

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 19:56
It's a good excuse for doing nothing ;-)
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Reply By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 23:49

Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 23:49
"Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day.

Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day"




And therein lies the attraction methinks..................


:)







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Reply By: evaredy - Monday, May 05, 2014 at 13:51

Monday, May 05, 2014 at 13:51
While there are many reasons for the different people out there, for me it is extremely relaxing.

I don't get too disappointed if I don't catch anything, I find I am able to just chill out and relax without having to worry about the daily stresses.

Then you mix in the odd bite here and there and it becomes a little tussle between something you can't see but know it's down there somewhere, just teasing you. Thinking about that and trying different tactics soon makes everything else just slide away, then you throw in some awesome sunsets and it really doesn't get much better, well I guess it does if you actually land the little sucker :)
AnswerID: 531910

Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Monday, May 05, 2014 at 21:06

Monday, May 05, 2014 at 21:06
G'day Alan,

I have to admit that I am attracted to fishing for a host of reasons already mentioned. It is extremely satisfying to spend time on the water and attempt to extract a fish but it helps if you are either successful at it or just enjoy the experience! One thing for sure it requires a commitment to bringing all the required gear to make it just that little more enjoyable. Just don't over think it!

Kind regards
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Reply By: bigcol - Wednesday, May 07, 2014 at 08:16

Wednesday, May 07, 2014 at 08:16
Relaxation.
Just being out on the water.
The excitement on the kids faces as they're pulling them in.
My excitement when I put out the pots and they're full of crabs.
Doesn't matter where you are. Land based or in a boat, it's still great fun.

A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work
AnswerID: 532031

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