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?Is fishing a game or just a hobby or just to cari makan??
By Musi Kadim|
First to say that fishing is a game since there is the element of sport involved. Game fishing is a sport between an angler and fish. The objective is to catch big fish with light line, rod and reel. Freshwater game fishing If you catch a Tilapia with a 30lb line and rods as thick as cane, you cannot consider this as game fishing. |
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To make matter worse, a triple hook is attached to the end of the line and the fish is hooked through the eyes or body and it is reeled in at high speed. The fish is dead upon retrieval. This is definitely not a game or sport.
But if you used a 4lb line and prawn hooks and strike a 2lb Tilapia, the story is different. There is an element of sport in this case. Because you allow the fish a fighting chance.
So what if the fish escapes? Remember, the objectives is to play a game with the fish. And if you do land the fish and release it immediately then the game is perfect.
Again, there is one more important thing. Tilapia is not a good fighter thus it is not considered as a game fish. Besides it is easily found and caught. Then the whole thing is not a game fishing.
Real freshwater game fishing is going for species such as Tomans, Sebarau and the rare Tapah.
You might say that the Toman is not good eating, has a flat taste and is a nuisance. But then it is a good game fish and can really give you a good fight.
To catch Toman involves a tremendous amount of work as you prepare to travel great distances, walks miles through jungles in search for these fish and also brave the wilds of crocodiles and animals. This is an introduction to freshwater game fishing. You know from the start there are many obstacles to overcome. Better still, you don?t know if you will ever get a bite. Think of the amount of money you spent in buying for equipment and paying for a trip. Surely you need a very good budget for all this.
You wouldn?t do this if you just want to cari makan, it is cheaper to go to the pasar.
Saltwater game fishing
There are two principles in saltwater game fishing. Firstly, game fish are mostly pelagic which are fish that roam the ocean from bottom to the top in search of food. Examples are Barracuda, Cobia (Haruan Tasik), and Dorado.
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Now folks, if you participate in a fishing competition and catch a Pari with 100lb line and powered reel, you still have long way to go. Although the rules allow you to qualify for a prize, you. Are actually well below the real achievement. Here, game fishing is non-existent. Even a Duri can qualify for a prize. Secondly, a Prime Game Fish, the Marlin. Marlins are International citizens and they travel the world. You catch Marlin, then you are the champion. Sailfish and marlin are considered big game fish although the Marlins in our water are juvenile averaging 100 ? 200lbs. Why are our Marlins small? Well no actual studies have been conducted on our Marlins but Black Marlins can grow in excess of 1,000lbs. Why isn?t Black Marlin exceeding 300lbs ever seen in our water? A good guess is that these fish have no time to grow up and land in the nets and converted into keropoks. If you are really keen on fishing, go for a challenge. Marlins are priceless. |
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IGFA ? International Game Fishing Association ? has certain guidelines for competitions. One of them is the line which is classified as 30lb, 50lb, 80lb, 130lb and all-tackle. Most of our competitions never apply these guidelines, and yet they called themselves "International events". |
Remember, we go fishing for one reason, GAME.
Again, if you think it is not a game, you are wrong. Calculate the price you pay for a fishing trip and divide it by the number of fish you catch. It is far cheaper to go to the pasar!
The actual fact about game fishing in Malaysia
Game fishing is non-existent is this country. Not only that game anglers are too few to form formidable voice, but also the authorities too do not really care
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We lack game fishermen. The number of fish in our waters have depleted drastically, partly due to anglers but mainly due to unscrupulous, greedy and mad people who use nets with undersized opening, bombs and poison to take out all the fish they could. These inconsiderate fools never ever give second thoughts to the ecological balance of nature. It takes four to eight years for a fish to mature and only one day to kill them all. |
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The average mentality for preservation is almost nil. There are laws against these wrongful acts but have you heard of anyone being prosecuted? So what do we lack here?
