Diving and Fishing

[FishDiver]

I was an avid sport fisherman for decades before I began diving. Once I began to dive I gradually lost interest in fishing. I have so many fond memories of fishing that I still do it occasionally, but I quickly get bored with it. I am a catch and release fisherman so whether fishing or diving I don't bring any food home.

Has anyone else had this experience? Are others able to maintain an interest in fishing?

 

[DennisS]

I had a friend that combined the two. He took a cuban yo yo down with him and some shrimp. He was drifting the shrimp back to some snapper when a cuda hit it. He thought it was sporting and reeled it in. When it was about 20 ft away it went crazy zig zagging behind, to the left, to the right, and underneath him. Wrapped him up real good before he cut the line. One of those, "seemed like a good idea at the time" moments.

 

[greylion]

I'm an avid salmon fisherman on Lake Michigan from April to October and then I try to dive all winter long. Mix in a couple of weekends between April and October for diving and it's the best of both worlds. I love to eat salmon, so I have a freezer full of it. We are running a tournament this weekend where we donate the entire catch of 70 boats to the Northern Illinois food bank and then take out veterans for a free day of fishing on Sunday. There is a place for both and either on or under the water I love it!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I am a catch and release fisherman ...

Now there's an activity I could never comprehend ... that ain't fishing, that's called "bothering the fish".

When I was a youngin' I used to fish all the time. Where I lived at the time (Tennessee), folks fished for dinner. The only ones we ever threw back were either too little to eat or they didn't taste good (carp, for example).

I don't fish now ... not because I lost interest, but because the fishing regs in my state are so convoluted you need a law degree just to figure out whether you're legal or not. That applies to spearfishing too ... they got these things called "slot limits", where if the fish is a quarter-inch too big or too little, they can fine you heavily and seize your gear (including boat, trailer, car, or anything else associated with the fishing activity).

It's too risky to be worth it ... our state's vigorously trying to balance a budget deficit through fines of whatever sort they can get away with ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TMHeimer]

For 25 years I fished the lakes and rivers of Northern Manitoba. Now that's the place to fish. But not to dive. Haven't really fished the last 5 years since moving to Nova Scotia. Enter the diving era. I never did catch and release. It's supposed to be good, and I guess it helps fish populations (unless you're in N. Manitoba, where fish out number people probably a million to one). Fishing and releasing for sport seems to me to really be bothering the fish, causing them pain. I ate everything I caught unless it was illegal size, etc.

 

[Sas]

I am a catch and release fisherman so whether fishing or diving I don't bring any food home.

What is the point? Basically you are causing huge distress to a fish for no purpose other than entertainment.

I don't eat any seafood. I used to get seafood (abalone, scallops mostly) for my family but I feel too bad about it now so I no longer do so (much to my family's disappointment).

 

[elmer fudd]

I far prefer to spear fish than to catch them on rod and reel. Diving is just much, much more entertaining than sitting in a boat, and spearing a fish is much more exciting and satisfying than reeling one up. It's more productive too.

 

[Garrobo]

I've always bought my fish at Krogers. Lots cheaper.

 

[knowone]

Years ago when the molluscs and crustaceans became expected delivered and cleaned I retired. Ripping someone hanging around the front yard by the mouth into the sky?
Looking is good.

 

[OldNSalty]

I don't fish much at all anymore but I think it is really a time issue. I only have so many hours for any entertainment and when I am near the water I want to dive so I dive, then I dive some more. I guess I could fish and I enjoy it but for now, no time for both.

My oldest is around 8 so he has already said somethign about going fishing (as he looks at allt he fishing crap in the garage.) I suspect the time is coming when I will be doing mor fishing...if the oil doesn't ruin it that is.