Basics of Sport Fishing
While fundamentalists can argue high and low as to whether fishing can be considered a sport or recreational activity. It can’t be denied that many people are attracted to the process of pulling slippery fish from the water for other reasons than putting food on the table, especially in Costa Rica.
Many sport fishers choose to eat what they catch, but there is still a significant difference between those that fish for a living and those who fish for sport. Furthermore, many fish that are caught at the hand of sports people will be returned to the water to replenish populations.
Today’s commercial fisheries can pull in shoals of fish in unprecedented amounts, more than enough to feed the populations. In addition to releasing the fish they catch, sports fishermen often help the fish industries monitor the various populations of fish to improve conservation techniques by tagging fish before releasing them to the wild — other fish are stuffed and mounted on the wall as fine trophies. Of course sport fishing in Costa Rica is probably one of the most popular destinations of practicing this sport.
Methods of Sport Fishing
There are many ways to pull a fish from the water, many have been in practice for thousands of years, some of these have been perfected into an excellent science and others have changed little over the centuries.
The methods used are primarily based on the type of fish being hunted. ‘Big Game’ fish, including marlin, sailfish or tuna, require specialized equipment, transportation and a small expedition to obtain. Then there’s fly fishing, the artistic activity of aristocrats since the times of ancient Rome. There are many different techniques, the common factor in all is the use of a line and hook as opposed to a net or trap, employed when catching the fish, like Costa Rica sailfishing and Marlin fishing in Costa Rica.
Within the separate categories of fishing techniques can be found the more competitive types who create a competition of the sport. These competitions can be between matched teams or individual competitors, often fishing for designated amounts of time and scoring points for the number of fish caught, total weight of fish and other specifics.
The concept of fishing for a sport is not a modern idea. There is evidence that suggests this has been happening for a long time. The first recorded competition was held in 1496, and there is no reason to believe this was the first event of its kind.
Until the discovery of petroleum plastics, only the very wealthy were involved in fishing as a sport. The competitions held by the aristocracy of the 17th to 19th centuries has been carefully recorded with specifics like line and rod weight as well as tackle and angler etiquette carefully laid out.
As time progressed and fishing became an attainable pastime to just about anyone, competitions have exploded across the world. The sport fishing industry is a well-established giant, making well over 25 billion each year.
Sport Fishing and You
Perhaps the biggest reason for the huge popularity of the activity is the fact that anyone with a desire to participate can become a formidable competitor with a bit of practice and attention to improvement. Remember that if you are fishing in Costa Rica, costaricasportfishingtours.com is a great resource for you.
All that is needed is a bit of introduction to the best practices of the sport, and anyone is all set to begin learning from their mistakes. Everyone does, so don’t fret too much. Following are some valuable tips to set you on your way to proper angling.
As an angler, that is one who elegantly pulls fish from the water with a line and rod rather than a harpoon, net or any other device; it is important that you consider the equipment you will employ after carefully considering the fish you will be hunting.
Your skill level as an angler will also be an important factor to consider. The best place to procure your equipment will be a location where you can ask a lot of questions and get some expert advice on the equipment you will need. Don’t go over the top with expert equipment now, stick with smooth and manageable, as seen at costaricasportfishingtours.com.
The time you take in getting prepared for fishing will pay off of fish you will catch. So think of your location and research what type of fish can be found in abundance in this water, what is the preferred bait and tackle to catch this fish and even what time of day would be most expedient.
A lot of the information you will gather as experience is gained, this is where your love and patience for the sport, your catch and yourself as an angler will come into play. This will lead you to set up the perfect situation for your fish and yourself.
In Closing — There is, without a doubt, innumerable points that have been overlooked in this short article —things like the need for proper shade, packing a lunch and bug repellant or the fact that fish don’t like direct sunlight — nevertheless, if these pointers have given you clue into the fascinating world of sports fishing, then the article has served its purpose.