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Is Fishing a Sport?

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Tiernan

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13,021 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:12 PM
Just returned from a great vacation where we did alot of fishing - caught alot and kept only those we deided to eat...snapper, sheepshead, flounder and a couple of reds. But during the trip my bro-in-law referred to how "fishing is my favorite sport". I argued the point that while fishing is definitely one of my favorite "pastimes" it is hardly a "sport". Any rebuttals?
Jul 21, 2010 2:12pm
Strapping Young Lad's avatar

Strapping Young Lad

Senior Member

2,453 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:14 PM
No. If so then Xbox is a sport.
Jul 21, 2010 2:14pm
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berry

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475 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:19 PM
There can never be a sport where one participant has no idea that they are playing.
Jul 21, 2010 2:19pm
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Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:20 PM
Depends on how you are fishing. I kayak fish to me that's a sport!
Jul 21, 2010 2:20pm
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:24 PM
Fab1b;429015 wrote:Depends on how you are fishing. I kayak fish to me that's a sport!

We were fishing from kayaks too (my first time with this method and it was great fun) but I gotta agree with Berry...fish hafta be one of the dumbest creatures on earth and just because you can essentially "trick" one into biting a barbed piece of metal, that don't exactly make you a "Sportsman".
Jul 21, 2010 2:24pm
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Bio-Hazzzzard

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1,027 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:28 PM
I think it definately is a sport at a competitive level. My opinion would be that if I go out and fish for fun it is leisure and if I fish in a tournament there would be something I am competing for under said rules of that tourney. By the same token if I go out and run every day I consider that a pass time I enjoy which is leisure to me or I can run a marathon and run competitively following organized rules.

I think this could go either way sport or not.
Jul 21, 2010 2:28pm
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Bio-Hazzzzard

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1,027 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:33 PM
Tiernan;429021 wrote:fish hafta be one of the dumbest creatures on earth and just because you can essentially "trick" one into biting a barbed piece of metal, that don't exactly make you a "Sportsman".
But you need to know where to find them first.
Jul 21, 2010 2:33pm
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FatHobbit

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8,651 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:37 PM
I guess it depends on how you define sport. I tend to think things that are judged are not sports. (boxing, figure skating...) They might take a lot of athleticism, but I don't think they are sports.
Jul 21, 2010 2:37pm
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Heretic

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18,820 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:38 PM
Well, there are competitive fishing circuits with money prizes and stuff, so I'd say it could be considered a sport to some degree if it's actually done competitively.

Now, if your friend is simply considering going out with a few beers and catching some fish as a sport, I'd call BS on that.
Jul 21, 2010 2:38pm
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Red_Skin_Pride

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1,226 posts
Jul 21, 2010 2:48 PM
Heretic;429042 wrote:Well, there are competitive fishing circuits with money prizes and stuff, so I'd say it could be considered a sport to some degree if it's actually done competitively.

Now, if your friend is simply considering going out with a few beers and catching some fish as a sport, I'd call BS on that.
This. If you're just fishing with your buddies to pass the afternoon and relax, that's certainly not a sport. However, the point someone made earlier is valid...if it's in a tournament setting, and everyone goes in with the intention of winning a competition that has set rules, and where each person/team has to catch the most/biggest fish, then I would call that a sport. Because in that case, you're not competing against the fish, the fish are just the guage to measure who wins. You are competing against other humans who have engaged in mutual competition with you.
Jul 21, 2010 2:48pm
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Strapping Young Lad

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2,453 posts
Jul 21, 2010 3:01 PM
Can we call video games a sport too? You are competing against others. There can be prizes involved. Your fingers must be in good physical condition.
Jul 21, 2010 3:01pm
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Heretic

Son of the Sun

18,820 posts
Jul 21, 2010 3:11 PM
Strapping Young Lad;429068 wrote:Can we call video games a sport too? You are competing against others. There can be prizes involved. Your fingers must be in good physical condition.

Hey, I saw the finals of a Madden tournament on one of the ESPNs a ways back. One of the most surreal, tripped-out things I've ever watched. It's unfortunate I didn't have any good weed on me, because if I did, it'd be the greatest moment in TV for me. The dude who won was some skinny Eminem-looking wanna-be who was talking shit like he was paid to. It was awesome. After getting a sack on his semifinals opponent, he's just bouncing in his face saying something like, "Yeah! That's why I got those hittas up there! That's why I got those hittas up there!"

I'd respect fishing as a sport more if people like him competed there. "Yeah! 8.5 pound bass in the house, boi! Your weak-ass lures ain't touched 6 pounds!!!"
Jul 21, 2010 3:11pm
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trackandccrunner

Senior Member

1,283 posts
Jul 21, 2010 3:50 PM
Heretic;429084 wrote:Hey, I saw the finals of a Madden tournament on one of the ESPNs a ways back. One of the most surreal, tripped-out things I've ever watched. It's unfortunate I didn't have any good weed on me, because if I did, it'd be the greatest moment in TV for me. The dude who won was some skinny Eminem-looking wanna-be who was talking shit like he was paid to. It was awesome. After getting a sack on his semifinals opponent, he's just bouncing in his face saying something like, "Yeah! That's why I got those hittas up there! That's why I got those hittas up there!"

I'd respect fishing as a sport more if people like him competed there. "Yeah! 8.5 pound bass in the house, boi! Your weak-ass lures ain't touched 6 pounds!!!"
Haha I always love watching Madden Nation on ESPN that some good stuff.
Jul 21, 2010 3:50pm
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The Giss

Senior Member

106 posts
Jul 21, 2010 4:35 PM
It's more of a sport than cheerleading.
Jul 21, 2010 4:35pm
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Strapping Young Lad

Senior Member

2,453 posts
Jul 21, 2010 4:42 PM
It doesn't require more physical/athletic ability than cheerleading though. No disputing that. So, what makes fishing more of a sport than cheering (assuming you were being serious).
Jul 21, 2010 4:42pm
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Thread Bomber

Message Board Terrorist

1,851 posts
Jul 21, 2010 4:48 PM
Bullshit..... If you "noodle for a 60lb plus catfish, that's a sport. especially since you go into it's turf an wrastle it.






edit: It also shows your intelligence level
Jul 21, 2010 4:48pm
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Laley23

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29,506 posts
Jul 21, 2010 4:59 PM
I think it depends on what you are doing as well, in terms of what kind of fishing. If you are deep sea fishing its basically put the bait in the water and chill. That is just dumb and frankly bores me to know end.

If you are fly-fishing I can see where its a sport. It takes attention the whole way. It takes a TON of skill, and it takes a ton of knowledge. I love to fly-fish and can see why people consider it a sport. That type of fishing is much more skillful and taxing on the mind that other forms.
Jul 21, 2010 4:59pm
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Apple

Prost!

2,620 posts
Jul 21, 2010 5:37 PM
Not sure that fishing is actually a sport. Yes there is technique and experience that can increase your success and then there are tournaments with prizes sometimes too.

I would consider it more of a competition than a sport.
Jul 21, 2010 5:37pm
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darbypitcher22

Senior Member

8,000 posts
Jul 21, 2010 5:59 PM
I think under competitive conditions it could be considered a sport. I mean, what type of fishing are you doing? Are you looking for bass, or are you out tryin to hook Marlin and Barracuda that could fight for hours and take a ton of physical exertion to reel in?
Jul 21, 2010 5:59pm
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Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Jul 21, 2010 6:06 PM
fishing is an outdoor sport, just like hunting
Jul 21, 2010 6:06pm
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Bio-Hazzzzard

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1,027 posts
Jul 21, 2010 6:25 PM
Laley23;429222 wrote:I think it depends on what you are doing as well, in terms of what kind of fishing. If you are deep sea fishing its basically put the bait in the water and chill. That is just dumb and frankly bores me to know end.

If you are fly-fishing I can see where its a sport. It takes attention the whole way. It takes a TON of skill, and it takes a ton of knowledge. I love to fly-fish and can see why people consider it a sport. That type of fishing is much more skillful and taxing on the mind that other forms.

I fly-fish frequently as well and you are right and it does take a ton of skill. I also fish in the bays of west Florida and use artificial lures which takes a ton of skill also and yes I do alot of the off-shore fishing too, you know, the dumb kind of fishing. I will tell you that when you have a sixty pound grouper and you fight with it for a long period of time it is very taxing physically, your arms are burning, it's summertime sweatin' your ass off, and just when you are about to give up this fish is in the boat. That my friend is very rewarding and you have sixty pounds of fresh grouper to eat after you had your ass almost beat by this fish.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but to call offshore fishing dumb is just that your opinion.

I don't care where a person is or what type of fishing a person is doing, if that person doesn't no where the fish are hiding and at what point of time of the day, their catch will be minimal. That is where the skill is.
Jul 21, 2010 6:25pm
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GOONx19

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7,147 posts
Jul 21, 2010 6:35 PM
I both hunt and fish with regularity, but I was gonna post what berry said. Anything in which one of the "competitors" doesn't even know they are a part of the event is nothing more than a past time.
Jul 21, 2010 6:35pm
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CinciX12

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2,874 posts
Jul 21, 2010 11:51 PM
What does snapper taste like to those that have tried it? I caught a lot in Florida the other week but didnt stick around to eat them.
Jul 21, 2010 11:51pm
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Apple

Prost!

2,620 posts
Jul 21, 2010 11:58 PM
If you're catching snapper in Florida and don't know what it tastes like you must not be doing it right.

:p
Jul 21, 2010 11:58pm
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Bio-Hazzzzard

Senior Member

1,027 posts
Jul 22, 2010 12:02 AM
^^^ American Red Snapper is great. As far as the flavor it is a very mild and hearty white fish, good stuff.

Mutton Snapper is also good with the same flavor, but a little less meaty and mushier.

Yellowtail Snapper falls in between Red and Mutton Snapper.

Pink Snapper....beats all of them
Jul 22, 2010 12:02am