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Fishing IS a Sport
by: Ryan Wood 6/29/2012
People often ask me if I play sports. When I reply to them that I fish as a sport they always say that fishing is not a sport.
First of all, many people view fishing as just sitting on the shore with a rod in a rod holder letting bait sit in the water for hours. That’s the only type of fishing that they have experienced, so because of this, they refer to fishing as boring and nothing close to being a sport. What these people don’t realize is that there is a whole different side to fishing. Fishing can include elements of strategy, planning, competition, and in some cases, a lot of physical exertion.
It is also common for people to think that catching fish is just a matter of luck. I believe this is disproved by the fact that there is a consistent group of top anglers at the highest levels in bass fishing. While Kevin VanDam may be having a down year in 2012, it would be hard to argue that his 4 consecutive and 7 total angler of the year awards were based on luck.
I’ve played basketball, baseball, and football, and many of the aspects of those sports are also applicable to fishing. Things like practicing, having the right equipment, persevering, and running different plays in different situations all apply to fishing just as much as they do to other sports. I would also argue that the 12 hours spent standing during the Full Moon Open, casting over 1000 times, and moving back and forth in the boat all night is at least as physical as some of the other things we regularly call sports.
Even schools have begun to recognize fishing as a sport as there are now high school and college fishing teams, competitions and even scholarship opportunities.
So as long as we call golf, bowling, and car racing sports, competitive fishing should also be recognized at the same level. I will continue defending my chosen sport of fishing as adamantly as I have done in the past.
Blog content © Ryan Wood Member comments IceFishingFool, CO 6/29/2012 10:15:18 PM
I believe competiitve fishing is sport fishing, commerical fishing is not a sport. Its a way of life. To some its making a living. Fishing can be called harvesting. I believe now days its an excuse to get out of the house, to defer other chores, Fishing....Something to do when you retire, and have no other hobbies. LewsTherinTelemon, CO 6/29/2012 10:36:45 PM
Well said. JKaboom, CO 6/29/2012 11:56:03 PM
I was in the group you mentioned just sitting in a chair bait fishing. However I'm learning new things and especially when you hike a mile or two at 10K+ ft it sure is a sport... Mr.Pink, CO 7/5/2012 2:31:34 PM
You speak to a much larger issue that I find interesting. Some things are clearly sports: footbal, track and field, soccer, etc. Then there are the others. I'm not a fan of NASCAR, but these guys loose pounds of body weight during a race and run the risk of death. That's pretty hardcore. Golf, kind of the opposite. You don't risk serious injury, and some golfers look like joe-schmo, beer-belly and all. But the average gold enthusiast has nowhere near the skill and nerve to deliver to it counts like top pro players.
My position? Just as almost anything can be taken to an art-form, many things may be taken to the level of "sport". I love fishing, but I consider it a sport in my personal life. I run. I play soccer and tennis. If it's a sport to you, then it's a sport.
It really is a topic for books.
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