Commercial fishing
Commercial fishing is often called the most dangerous
occupation in the world. Fishing provides a large quantity of
food to many countries around the world, but those who
practice it must often pursue fish far into the ocean and
during bad weather. Commercial fishermen harvest almost all
aquatic species, from tuna, cod
and salmon
to shrimp, lobster, clams,
and squid.
Commercial fishing methods have become very efficient using
huge nets and sea-borne
processing factories. Fishing has been increasingly restricted
often integrated with varieties of fishing rights allocation
schemes, and international treaties have sought to limit the
yearly fishing effort.
Commercial fish raising in the forms of aquaculture
and mariculture
supplement the free-range catch of fish.
Recreational fishing
Recreational fishing is generally done with a pole (fishing
rod) and line with a small number of hooks, a technique
known as angling. Laws usually limit the number of
lines and hooks that one fisherman can use and the number of
fish that can be harvested. Many species of fish are pursued
by recreational fishers for various reasons. Popular sport
species of fish include bass, pike, muskellunge, marlin,
and swordfish--fish
that are a challenge to catch and provide good trophies.
Species of fish harvested by sportsmen for eating include perch,
trout, salmon,
and sunfish.
Laws generally prohibit the use of nets and catching fish
with hooks not in the mouth. However some species can be taken
with nets for bait and a few for food, like smelt.
"Trash" (non-sport) fish considered of less value
can sometimes be taken by multiple methods like snagging, bow
and arrow, or even gun because they are seen as competing with
more valuable fish.
Recreational fishing laws may also cover other aquatic
species, such as frogs
and turtles.
Sport
fishing is a recent phenomenon of recreational fishing
where fisherman compete for prizes based on the total weight
of fish caught in a time limit. This sport evolved from local
fishing derbies into a large competition circuit in the U.S.A.
with professional fishermen competing supported by
professional endorsements, and other large-scale tournaments
around the world.
How to fish
When fishing, keep at some distance from the margin of the
stream, so that your shadow may not fall upon the water, and
frighten away the fish; to avoid the same consequences, do not
indulge in laughter or loud conversation.
If the water be still, throw in small pieces of ground
bait; if a strong current, large pieces; do this quietly and
cautiously, for fish are so wary and suspicious, that it
requires the nicest delicacy and management to circumvent
them.
When the wind blows right across the water, fish with your
back to the wind, as you will not only be able to throw your
line better, but the fish will be on that side, attracted
thither by the flies and other natural bait which the wind
will blow into it.
The common angle worm is a universal bait for fresh water
angling. They grow almost everywhere except in sandy soils.
The common white grub is also used successfully in trout
fishing. They are found in fresh ploughed earth, and under old
stumps, decaying foliage, etc. The grasshopper
is also good for trout in his season. The trout or salmon
spawn will attract trout quicker than any other possible bait.
Caterpillars, flies, locusts,
beetles, etc., are good for trout.
Live bait consists of the minnow,
the shiner (or mullet), the goldfish and other small fish.
Ponds of these fish are kept by those who furnish baits, and
by some habitual sportsmen.
The frog
is an excellent bait for pickerel.
They are sometimes used whole, but in case where you use the
hind legs only, they should be skinned.
For saltwater fishing, the shrimp
is the leading bait. The shedder crab,
in its season, is most excellent, particularly for striped
bass. The soft shell clam,
cut in small pieces, is a good bait for many kinds of sea
fish. The horse mackerel or small blue fish is an excellent
bait. Where the tide runs swift, use the tail, leaving on the
fins.
Preparing baits
We have before said that salmon roe
was an excellent bait for trout. The roe of large trout or
salmon trout is just as good. These are tempting baits for
many other fresh water fish besides the trout. Old fishermen
preserve it as follows: First put it in warm water, not hot
enough to scald
much - then separate the membranous films - rinse it well in
cold water and hang it up to dry. The next day salt it with
two ounces of salt and a quarter of an ounce of saltpeter to
the pound of roe. Let it stand another day and then spread it
to dry. When it becomes stiff put it in small pots, pouring
over each some melted mutton tallow. You can then use a pot of
preparation as you may want it for bait. It is excellent for
trout, and indeed for almost any fry in fresh water.
To tie a hook to a line
Prepare, by waxing with shoemaker's wax, a piece of strong
silk or thread; take your hook in your left hand between your
thumb and forefinger, about as high up as the point of the
barb or a little higher, as you may fancy; place the end of
your silk under your thumb, take three or four random but firm
turns around the shank of the hook until you reach the end
(for the purpose of preventing the gut being cut by the hook,
and moreover that your gut may stick firmly without the
possibility of coming off;) now lay your gut or line (the
inside of the hook, up) on to this winding, holding it with
the end of the thumb, and commence whipping it around firmly
and closely, occasionally pressing the turns to keep them
even; continue this operation until you get within three or
four turns of the finishing point; in order to fasten firmly -
give three loose turns, then insert the end of your silk under
them, and drawing it through, you have a secure fastening,
called the hidden knot. Another method of finishing when you
have arrived at the fastening point, is to make two or three
half hitch knots; this is done by passing the end under one
turn of the silk, making a loop, and drawing it down. The
hidden knot is the better and most secure mode.
Catch and Release
Catch-and-release fishing is increasingly practiced
especially by fly-fishermen,
as well as spin and bait-casting fishermen, to increase conservation
and to protect rare fish such as marlin. The practice is
however disputed as it by some is considered unethical to
perform painful actions to the fish for fun and not for the
reason of food production. Because of this, catch-and-release
practice is illegal in Norway.
This article is licensed under
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It uses material from the Wikipedia
article "Fishing"
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