5 Reasons Why Fishing Is A Sport and Not Just A Hobby

Fishing is a favorite pastime for many people and an opportunity for families and friends to bond. However, not many know that fishing requires skill, good stamina, and strength. Thus, many fishing enthusiasts are often asked if fishing is a sport or just a hobby. 

Is Fishing a Sport or Just a Hobby?

Before we proceed to the list of reasons why fishing is more than just a hobby, take a look first at the definition of sport, and based on that, we’ll check if fishing is a sport.

A sport is an activity that involves skills and physical exertion and can help improve physical health. Aside from that, it includes elements of competition and social participation. Rules, regulations, and patterns of behaviors established and implemented by an organization govern an activity recognized as a sport. 

So, let’s look at fishing based on skills, physical exertion, competition, social participation, and rules and regulations, and list reasons we can consider it a sport.

1. Fishing Requires Skills

Anglers and athletes have a lot in common, especially when needing skills in their activities. Fishing is more than just throwing a line and hook with bait into the water. Many fishing techniques can be used to catch different species.

For example, you can catch a regular largemouth bass by baitcasting. However, if you want a bigger one, you need to apply light to heavy tackle, depending on the size of the fish.

On the other hand, fish that lie close to the ocean bed also require different skills. One of the best examples is flounder. There is a specialized fishing method to catch this fish, called flounder gigging. This method is commonly done at night when anglers have to shine a light on the ocean floor and look for flounder. Once they have found one, they will have to strike it with a gig, a fish spear.

So, at the end of the day, if you want to become a successful angler, you will have to practice the different techniques, familiarize yourself with the varying behaviors of fish species, and learn about the changing currents and winds. You have to do this because there is more than one way to catch a fish, and there are also hundreds of fish in the water with different requirements. 

2. Fishing Requires Stamina and Strength, and It Helps Improve Physical Health

Many people think that fishing is just sitting on the shore with a cooler full of baits and waiting for a fish to bite. But, it is more than that- it requires stamina and strength. 

When catching a trophy-sized fish that weighs a lot or an aggressive one that can put up a fight, then you will have to wield an enormous amount of strength and stamina. And, by exerting physical effort, you are also burning unwanted calories. Fishing acts like a cardio workout and jigging and fly fishing are some of the more active techniques that you can try. On the other hand, if you want a full-body workout, you may opt for wade and kayak fishing. 

3. Fishing Helps Promote Mental, Emotional, and Social Well-Being

Just like all other sports, angling is therapeutic in its sense. If you dislike tedious sports that can cause high levels of stress, broken bones, or sometimes, even death, then you can try fishing. This activity allows you to relieve stress and pressure. 

Many fishing enthusiasts say that angling rewards them with a moment of solitude and serenity. It can be a getaway from their busy, fast-moving lives. Furthermore, some say angling provides them an escape from their worries and allows them to focus because it fascinates their attention.

Besides those things, active learning from fishing can give people a sense of purpose and drive their motivation. Moreover, being around other anglers, with whom they can share their experiences, can promote better social well-being.

4. Fishing Follows a Set of Rules

Like any sport, fishing follows a set of rules. However, these rules may vary depending on what state you are in. These fishing rules and regulations are in place to protect marine life. Without them, marine life can be destroyed and depleted. 

One of the most common rules in fishing is that an angler has to have a license. At the same time, they need to abide by the rules set by the local government, and not following these rules will result in hefty fines.

5. Fishing Can Be a Competition

Many people think that fishing is a solitary activity, not knowing that it can also involve competition. Different fishing organizations hold an annual competition for fishing enthusiasts. One of the best examples is Bassmaster, who has bass fishing competitions in various places in the United States. 

Most pro-level competitions don’t have particular rules about disallowing novice anglers. However, a specific level of skills is needed to participate in them. Pro anglers have the skills to find fish in all sorts of bodies of water, no matter the season or the weather conditions. Aside from that, they can also operate different kinds of boats. So, if you are an inexperienced angler, it is best to start your career by joining club-level competitions and earning the skills that will take you to pro-level fishing events. 

Fishing is a Sport

Like any other sport, fishing requires skills, stamina, and strength. Aside from that, it can also foster physical health and mental, emotional, and social well-being by providing an avenue for anglers to explore, learn, and interact with people they can share their interests with. It also follows a set of rules for the benefit of both human beings and marine life, and lastly, it can be a fun and exciting competition that will test your skills and knowledge.

So, with these five reasons, there is no doubt that fishing is more than just a hobby. It is also a sport.