He who lives by the rod, shall die by the rod

Fishing is an ancient practice that dates back at least 10,000 years back, the term fishing is applied to hunting for fish or other aquatic animals mostly for consumption. However, the modern fishing now relates a lot to recreational fishing and closely related to the term sport fishing. Recreational fishing has conventions, rules, licensing restrictions and laws that limit the way in which fish may be caught.

The most common form of recreational fishing is done with the use of rod, line and reel and different type range of baits. Lures are commonly use in replacement of baits to replicate the movement and looks of real baits.

Recreational anglers have been known to cause the depletion of fish stocks in commercial lakes, this is due to anglers with poor knowledge of how to protect the fish from damage or stress once out of the water. Hence the term Catch and release was introduced where anglers will release the fish back into the water after it has been caught. This will significantly have a positive effect on the ecosystem of aquatic species. There’s been constant debate on the where some consider it to be unethical to inflict pain on a fish for fun or sport and not for reasons of capturing food. Personally (being an Angler) I find that buying fishes or aquatic species from the market caused more damage to the ecosystem, fish or aquatic species that we buy from the market are usually caught by long nets and other methods whereby other species are also netted and most of the non-targeted species of fish are usually disposed of or made into fish food.

A lot of angles I know will practice catch and release. Some say it does not make much difference especially when you are fishing from the sea/offshore. However freshwater fishing from lakes and rivers will have a significant effect on the particular fish species. I myself usually go for snakehead species (called Toman here) that are a predatory species and the very few freshwater species here that actually take lures. And every single time I have one at the end of my line, it’s just feels exhilarating and exciting, I’m sure a lot of anglers would be able to relate to what I’m referring to. I myself practice catch and release for these species and hope that more people do it as well. I would like my children and the next generations to have a chance to actually know how it feels like when they have a 10pounder on the end of their line! I love this famous quote: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, We borrow it from our children”

Most of the anglers I know are really passionate about fishing. (I’m sure most that I don’t know will be as well) Hence I decided to choose the title. I find that a lot of anglers are really so passionate about it that almost everything else is secondary, especially when it comes to getting the correct bait/lure. I remember there was a time where we need to use some flour to mix a particular bait we use for fishing in a pay-pond, and when we go to the store to purchase the flour, it needs to be a particular brand which is more expensive than the usual ones. The interesting thing is, if it was for our own consumption, we would have chosen any brand that comes to mind or that is cheaper. The point is passionate anglers would really go the extra mile as long as it catches the fish.

We have tested all kinds of different baits, and just like any business we have test out different techniques and strategies and it things does not always go according to plan.

I find that these principles are valuable in starting a business as well.


Here's a photo of me with a Snakehead (toman) that I caught on a Spinnerbait!