What's the attraction of fishing ?

[Ariadne]

You cannot beat catching a Trout on a fly you have tied yourself, and then frying it in butter , at the side of the loch. Eaten with a lump of fresh bread, food for the gods

I'll trump that with Salmon.

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

So what's the attraction then ?

Looks good fun to me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1pO93WX3J0

 

[HoratioHB]

Just look at my Avatar, bloody exciting to catch even better to eat. (Mahi Mahi or Dorado depending on where you catch it)

 

[Chris_Robb]

Why? for the fun of it firstly and secondly for the delicious meal it provides
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNkXpRKDsRU
Thats why

Chris-Robb - no stout fishing rod required note the line in the vid

Peter, filmed on your Atlantic crossing. Couldn'y see the line really on the film. I take it, it was a hand line, but what hook and lure would you have?

You see - I said I was ignorant (about fishing....)

 

[Scillypete]

Peter, filmed on your Atlantic crossing. Couldn'y see the line really on the film. I take it, it was a hand line, but what hook and lure would you have?

You see - I said I was ignorant (about fishing....)

Chris, It was indeed a handline, 100lb breaking strain monofilament, 100 mtrs will be more than adequate. attached to that is a steel trace about 1.5 mtrs in length with a red muppet threaded on and a size 8/0 hook, nothing more required just let out about thirty mtrs of line and let it skip and splash on the surface. at the boat end I connected a good length of bungy which takes out the initial strain when a fish takes and stops the hook from being pulled from its mouth. A simple set up and should work well on your planned route, ideal speed 4 - 7 knots.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I like the sound of it. Particularly the eating bit.

I would expect the catching bit proving to be the most difficult.

Would very much welcome an announcement on VHF of anybody who has actually caught one and is is currently cooking and willing to share.

Say first come first served ? Surely the most decent thing to do ?

 

[Chris_Robb]

Chris, It was indeed a handline, 100lb breaking strain monofilament, 100 mtrs will be more than adequate. attached to that is a steel trace about 1.5 mtrs in length with a red muppet threaded on and a size 8/0 hook, nothing more required just let out about thirty mtrs of line and let it skip and splash on the surface. at the boat end I connected a good length of bungy which takes out the initial strain when a fish takes and stops the hook from being pulled from its mouth. A simple set up and should work well on your planned route, ideal speed 4 - 7 knots.

Pete - thanks -

 

[Perry]

Fishing is OK until you catch something you don't want ! we where fishing for Tuna in Palma Bay once when we caught a four foot Baracuda, a right angry thing it was.

 

[Searush]

Fishing is OK until you catch something you don't want ! we where fishing for Tuna in Palma Bay once when we caught a four foot Baracuda, a right angry thing it was.

Around the sandy areas of N. Wales it is Weaver fish you need to watch out for. Only small, but don't get a dorsal spine in your hand, or anywhere!

 

[V1701]

Fishing is OK until you catch something you don't want ! we where fishing for Tuna in Palma Bay once when we caught a four foot Baracuda, a right angry thing it was.

Barracuda are good eating in season and if they aren't endangered where you catch them (think there are some places where they are scarce). Biggest I've ever seen (on a wreck dive in Phillipines) was about same size as me and quite intimidating, they grow to a max of about 6 feet. Had I had a spear gun I don't think I could've done it though, beautiful creature..

 

[Badger]

The Tug is the drug.

 

[Cerddinen]

The op notes he didn't even realise he had hooked the fish. This is the outcome of using a rod that is too heavy for the target fish - probably a cheap 50lb boat rod with no flex. I use a 12lb Ugly Stick so even a single mackeral is noticeable and anything larger becomes fun.

 

[JayBee]

Done a lot of fishing from the boat with "mixed" success. OK -loads of mackerel, but they are pretty suicidal anyway.

We towed tuna lures for 2000 miles around the NE Atlantic this summer and caught one bass off Cabo Trafalgar - and that was it!

I ordered the RYA book "Fishing Afloat" which arrived this morning and looks pretty good - written for sailors, rather than already clued up anglers/sports fishermen.

 

[Ariadne]

Greater Weaver are good eating - BBQ'd better!

 

[Jinks]

You see, you're missing the point. It's called Fishing, not catching. The catching is a bonus which leads to the excitement of 'playing' the fish and enjoying the spoils. I agree with all those who have said if you're not going to eat it, don't catch it and it's hard to find a tastier meal.

Fishing is totally different. Fishing is relaxing with a line and a piece of some bait or other over the side listening to the sea and watching the water move. Fishing is trying different types of spinners in different depths of water with different retrieval rates just to see what happens. Fishing is relaxing and enjoying nature and your surroundings. Fishing is a state of mind.

Sometimes, catching just spoils that.

P.s. I'm surprised the Major hasn't contributed to this post with the wealth of expertise he has on the subject. Now there's a man who knows about not catching.