| Tips for Anglers: Sport Fishing | | | | or second time. No angler should enter the world of |
| While anglers do eat some of their catch, Sport | | | | competitive sport fishing unless they're used to |
| fishing is not done primarily for food. Sport fishing's | | | | fishing with thin, weak lines and bringing in large fish. |
| primary reward is in the thrill of catching the fish, and | | | | Competition adds an extra level of difficulty and |
| often fish caught are tagged and released back to | | | | excitement, and speed can be a factor in large sport |
| the water. Sport fishing is done with hook, rod and | | | | fishing competitions. An angler who is not completely |
| reel, though methods vary depending on what type | | | | comfortable and experienced with sport fishing should |
| of fish are being hunted. Competitive sport fishing | | | | not attempt to compete. |
| often does not allow all the fish to be kept, so many | | | | There are many ways that a beginning angler can |
| anglers who practice sport fishing do not keep all of | | | | learn the art of sport fishing, however. Many local |
| their catch. | | | | freshwater fishing areas host courses for beginning |
| For the most part, any fish that are kept through | | | | anglers who wish to learn more about sport fishing, |
| sport fishing are kept as trophies. Trophy fish that | | | | and very often experienced anglers are more than |
| are the most highly prized are rare species and very | | | | happy to coach beginning anglers and offer tips and |
| large species of fish. Such fish are often mounted | | | | advice. |
| and displayed. Sport fishing competitions are gaining in | | | | Many anglers who have tried their hand at sport |
| popularity, and more and more anglers are gaining | | | | fishing have found a great love for hunting the large |
| interest in the sport. In competition, extra points are | | | | prey that haunt the waters. For those who find sport |
| awarded to anglers who use thinner, weaker lines to | | | | fishing very enjoyable, competitive sport fishing can |
| haul in their prey. Thinner lines add an extra degree | | | | be very thrilling and fun once a certain degree of skill |
| of difficulty to sport fishing, though for beginners it's | | | | has been learned. |
| best to start with stronger lines and work your way | | | | Since sport fishing can be done from land or boat, |
| slowly toward thin, weak lines. Light tackle is used in | | | | beginning anglers should use whatever method suits |
| sport fishing, making casts fly far and wide. | | | | them best. Anglers who are more comfortable on |
| A lot of sport fishing is done in fresh waters, | | | | land should fish by land, gaining some skill and |
| especially in the US and Canada. Freshwater fish | | | | experience in this medium before going out on a |
| hunted by sport fishing anglers include walleye, | | | | boat. No angler should ever go out alone, and a |
| sturgeon, pike, salmon, and trout. Artificial spinners | | | | fishing buddy should be with you no matter your |
| and flies are great for catching trout in freshwater | | | | level of experience. Beginners should take a more |
| lakes and streams, for anglers who prefer not to use | | | | experienced angler to the waters with them, |
| live bait. For those who would rather use live bait, | | | | especially when sport fishing is the aim. Bringing in |
| anglers prefer worms and grasshoppers when fishing | | | | large prey is not an easy task, and sometimes you'll |
| lakes and streams for trout. | | | | need an extra pair of hands, especially when still in |
| Beginning anglers shouldn't tackle a sport fishing | | | | the learning stages. To truly learn sport fishing, you |
| competition right away. Hunting large prey is an | | | | must go out and catch some fish. The best thing to |
| acquired skill, and beginners shouldn't start casting | | | | do is take a friend or two, gather up your gear, and |
| their lines in competition if sport fishing for the first | | | | head to the nearest body of freshwater. |