Coarse fishing or angling is a freshwater fishing hobby that originated from the United Kingdom targeting certain freshwater fishes that early British men consider as “coarse”. Exceptions of targeted fishes include the game fishes like the salmon, trout, and char. This kind of fishing is exercised within freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, rivers, etc, but other than the sea. Though it may be considered as a hobby, a number of angling clubs and organizations have considered this activity as a sport that only well skilled and well experienced angles can win. Finally, to protect ecological (fishery) diversity, every aspiring angler should acquire a rod license either from a local post office or from the governing Environment Agency website.
Coarse fishing equipment
Just like any other fishing gears and equipment, coarse fishing requires a tackle. Depending on the choice of the angler, the tackle may either be those commercially produced rod and reel, ordinary poles made out of softwood, bamboo, aluminum, or any other stick, floats, or even trapping nets and bags. Another coarse fishing essential is the bait. Aside from inviting rigs that may eventually lure the fish into the trap, there are still instances when using baits are essential or more beneficial. Ideal baits include earthworms, worms, maggots, meat, pellets, caster, pinkies, bread, etc.
Types of Anglers
As stated above, coarse fishing may be classified either as a hobby or sport depending on the angler’s purpose or objective. Technically, the types or fields of angling are the Pleasure Angling, Match Angling, and the Specimen Angling. But lately, a more dynamic type has evolved; the all-rounder.
- Pleasure Anglers. As the name suggests, these individuals’ primary goal is to just have fun and consider the activity as a hobby for himself and his family. It can be one of the stress-relieving or relaxing activities that anyone can enjoy. Additionally, advanced techniques and skills in angling are not necessarily applied in this type of angling.
- Match Anglers. Anglers of this type are considered sporting fishers and most of the time they are members of fishing or angling clubs and organizations. These groups hold certain competing events where members can participate and show their angling skills and top secret coarse fishing rigs.
- Specimen Anglers. Though they may be considered as sporting anglers, the objective of specimen anglers is to target or compete on coarse fishing a certain species of fish. Another purpose is to photograph the catches or perhaps, outrank a personal record.
Benefits of the activity
More than the fishing skills and experiences that a hobbyist can acquire from coarse fishing, the emotional fulfillment and joy that it can provide a man is more than enough as a benefit. Surely, the excitement and thrill associated with the activity is rewarding. The calmness of the environment and the water may also be therapeutic and calming to a person. Aside from these benefits, family members can always take advantage of their free time to have a picnic, fish, and bond with each other. Finally, sporting matches within and between angling clubs are also held most of the time for a specific cause or benefit.