I’ll cut right to the chase. If you’re asking me, “is fishing a sport?” the answer is yes. Emphatically yes. Fishing has all the factors of a sport. At high echelons, there’s tremendous skill involved, as well as athleticism. Like traditional sports, fishing has massive competitions with thousands of screaming fans. There are multiple governing bodies and organizations maintaining the integrity of the sport of fishing, just as you would find in football, hockey, or baseball. Finally, an ever growing number of colleges recognize fishing as a sport and even offer fishing scholarships for talented anglers to join the college’s bass fishing teams.
We’re checking all the boxes here, folks. Fishing is a sport, period.
How quaint the world would be if one meaty paragraph was all it took to convince you. I know that’s not happening, but bear with me while I make my case for why anglers are athletes.
Fishing Takes Skill
While I’m a firm believer that anyone can catch a fish, I recognize that the sport of fishing takes tremendous skill to succeed ad the highest levels. Fishing tournaments can pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, and that wouldn’t be the case if just anyone could win them.
You literally have a situation where folks will spend a huge portion of their lives perfecting this craft. Some professional fishermen are likely closing in on a million casts, and with each one they try to refine their accuracy, distance, and subtlety. Fishing isn’t simply a sport at this stage, it might as well be an art too. The ability to deftly skip lures far under a dock or to to make a long cast without a large splash are traits few perfect. Like any slapshot or spiral pass, a perfect cast is an artform only the most skilled anglers can master.
There’s also considerable preparation to fishing. Many of us spend hours poring over books or obscure family fishing blogs on the internet trying to enhance our skills. Is this really any different than the quarterback who spends his nights with his nose in the playbook? Or, how about that scene in Cool Runnings where they’re all sitting in the bathtub, pretending it is a bobsled. In my mind, map study or reading the best fishing books is no different.
If one of the criteria for, “Is something a sport,” is “does it take skill?” then fishing checks that box.
The Sport of Fishing Requires Athleticism
Anyone who thinks that fishing isn’t a sport because it isn’t “athletic” has obviously never faced off against a giant halibut, or even just spent a cold and windy day on their feet in a rocking boat. They’ve probably never repeatedly cast a 1/2 oz. lure for 10 hours in the blazing sun. I doubt they’ve endured a 90 minute white-knuckle boat ride through raging swells, either.
I’m only 37. My body already can’t take the kind of abuse I used to put it through on long fishing trips of the past. When I was younger, I’d be out there from dawn until dusk throwing spinnerbait after spinnerbait. Now, that kind of work makes my shoulder ache, sets my hands on fire, erupts my back, and pummels my feet. Now, I have my share of health issues as everyone else does, but I wouldn’t feel this way if fishing didn’t require some athleticism.
In many respects, fishing can be a more difficult sport than some of the main ones. There aren’t that many sports besides fishing and American football that can claim to play in the worst weather nature provides. While fishing tournaments will be grounded in lightning or truly dangerous wind conditions, they’re not stopping for a downpour. The cold and wet aren’t the only issues, either. There’s no hotter place nearby than on a boat in the middle of the lake on a windless day. Fishing is a sport that pushes you against the elements like few others.
It Takes Athleticism to Reel in a Sport Fish
The elements, hours, and physical exertion aren’t the only reason I’d claim fishing is a sport. There’s also the matter of having to deal with the live, ticked off animal that often outweighs you on the other end of your line. Yes, freshwater fishermen rarely tangle with such giants, but saltwater anglers are going after tuna and marlin that weigh more than several men. Deepwater fishing is basically a giant tug of war with a wild demon from the depths. Not just anyone can do it!
Sports Can Be Relaxing, You Know
Some folks claim that fishing isn’t a sport because they see folks sitting in lawn chairs, drinking beers and watching bobbers. They claim that a hobby so relaxing as fishing can’t possibly be an athletic competition. Well, have you ever gone to a company picnic and played left field in the softball game? Did you break a sweat? I’ll bet you just enjoyed yourself and had a good time. The mere fact that fishing is relaxing does not disqualify it from being a sport. It just means that it’s another sport that can be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, if you’re so inclined.
There are Several Governing Bodies that Regulate the Sport of Fishing
As with all other sports, there are numerous governing bodies that regulate the fishing. Like FIFA or the NHLPA, these organizations regulate the rules for this sport to ensure that fishing remains competitive and fair. Everything from the types of permissible equipment to angling methods are categorized and considered. If fishing really were simply a hobby and not a sport, there would be absolutely no need for any of this.
Indeed, the fact that fishing is so highly competitive is one of the main arguments for why it is a legitimate sport. That it may be more niche than some other sports should not distract from the reality that fishing tournaments are long, multi-day, grueling affairs where extremely talented competitors go head to head. Frankly, fishing dwarfs some other niche sports. It’s estimated that there are 38 million anglers across the planet while only there are only 1.5 million registered curlers.
There are Many High School and College Bass Fishing Teams
One of the most compelling arguments for why fishing is a sport is the simple fact that so many high schools and colleges say it is. For years now, a growing number of schools have fielded their own bass fishing teams, competed in collegiate bass fishing tournaments such as those run by Major League Fishing. It’s not like these are filled with unknown schools, either. Both Baylor and Texas A&M have their own college fishing teams.
Several college fishing teams were detailed in an article by Major League Fishing where they went into the top 25 bass fishing colleges. As you can see, there are some top name schools there as well: North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, Kansas State and Perdue were all listed. That your child’s love of fishing may one day lead to collegiate success is a great reason to take your kids fishing.
How to Make Fishing More Sporting for the Fish
Once in awhile you run into someone who talks about how “sporting” something is or isn’t for the fish. Usually, they’re complaining about the use of braided fishing line, a heavy rod, or the act of horsing a fish in almost instantly. “The fish never has a chance!” they complain. “Use lighter tackle so the fish have a sporting chance.”
I mean, that’s a great idea and all if we’re trying to level the playing field between man and fish. The only problem is that, to the fish, this isn’t a game. They have no idea that “sport” is what you’re fishing for. Instead, they’re fighting for their lives. A hooked fish will dive through the most jagged cover, fling itself high into the air and smash down against the surface, make long runs, and expend every last bit of energy. Imagine how hard you would fight if your life was on the line. That’s what these fish are doing.
In the process of all this, fish are exposing themselves to a great risk of injury, and a certainty of high stress. Many go into shock. Some don’t come out. Whatever the argument is for keeping things “sporting” between you and the fish, you can bet it hasn’t accounted for this. Fishing might be a sport to you, but nature is playing for keeps. You should use the equipment necessary to safely get that fish into the boat as quickly as possible with the minimum amount of stress for your competition.
There’s absolutely no sport in deliberately choosing tackle that’s more likely to send an animal to an early grave, or at least to leave a rusting hook and snapped line in its mouth as a painful memento. While fishing is a great sport, always remember that it’s pitting you and against you, first and foremost. The fish are just one of the elements you encounter.
Final Words: A Study on Whether or Not Fishing is a Sport
I get it. I’m some random blogger on the internet. If you don’t want to believe me that fishing is a sport, consider this 2012 study in the U.K. that found that not only is fishing a sport, but it offers some unique features that set it up as a better sport for many. This report had some interesting observations:
- Since the sport of fishing can take place over one’s entire lifetime, it is great for active aging.
- Given that physical activity is required, but can be measured (some fishing is harder on the body than others), there’s a niche in this sport for everyone.
- Angling’s physical activity is more sustained than other sports. Sure, sports like hockey require intense bursts of energy, but you might be out fishing all day.
It’s really quite an interesting study. Definitely click on the link and check it out when you have some time. It makes a compelling, data-driven case for why fishing is a sport.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you find your kids or spouse are spending much of their time fishing, smile. They’re participating in a great sport that will hone their abilities, give them some exercise, and could potentially pay for their college one day.
Thanks for reading!
John Paxton
