What is fair angling?

What is angling and what is trapping, a debate which has been going on since the introduction of the clockwork bite alarm and certainly one which was strenghten with the introduction of the bolt rig. The debate was further amplified with the mass production of bait boats and fish finders.

In the past we`ve had automatic bite strikers and a number of other gadgets aimed at taking the sport out of the skills required to catch fish.

So what does the furture hold, underwater cameras on terminal tackle, electronic fish tagging with computer feedback information, weight of fish, preferred bait, location, is it about to feed, or possibly even a stun boilie, as soon as a fish comes within range of the bait, ZAP?

A very good thread subject mate, but before I comment, let's hear what others think.

I expect there was much horror when the first clockwork alarm materialised, I know there certainly was when the first bolt rig appeared in this country,

haha, you have a lot to answer for Mr Clay

Strangely I've always thought that at some time in the future when angling is no more, the sport would be developed into an arcade type of experience, located in 'Anglerdromes' with anglers strapped into shark fishing seats holding onto huge sea type rods and reels, battling against computer generated beasts of all kinds on a screen.
Hey, better than nothing at all!

well, probably not far from the truth terry, you can get those screen things what fit over yoyur head now, virtual reality or something and apparently they do an agling one, presumably you can just tap into a record carp

[Peter Bishop]

I am not sure I could seperate Angling and Trapping-in my mind they are one and the same, a form of hunting. It is just a sense of ethics that divides it.

The only difference I can think of is that 'trappers' use what might be considered crude methods to catch their quarry whereas Anglers, in the truest sense of the word, might prefer methods more gentlemanly, which give the fish a sporting chance of escaping.

I guess that is where the misnomer arose about "coarse angling" as opposed to other forms of angling.

The angler who skillfully attempts to convince his quarry that a cluster of coloured feathers actually mimic a natural fly, would have undoubtedly poured scorn upon the crude trapping methods employed by those commoners after perch, chub, roach and bream. People who used live baits like worms, and threw mashed bread in to attract the fish.

These days anglers still employ comparitively crude methods to catch fish. Witness the optonic, bait boat, bolt rig, floating pole, rattler, the Middy Shock stick, even the plastic pig.

What would Messrs Walton, Sheringham and BB have said about such unethical methods?

These days however we have no shame. Any bait or method is fair game as long as it delivers results, because in 2007 only size and quantity matter, not how you achieve it.

Any means of hooking the fish once it has picked up the bait is fair to me, be it a strike on a freelined bait or a self-hooking bolt rig. An alarm to say a fish has picked up the bait is also fair.

The skill in 'angling' is luring a fish to the bait in the first place and convincing the fish to pick it up. Watercraft, sight and stealth should be the only tools that should be used to place a bait. Any technology used to short cut fish location is cheating in my opinion. Otherwise you may as well go trawling with an echosounder.

Very good post Peter, now come on you lot, let's have more of your comments.

And another very interesting post Coops.

Keep 'em coming!

[Peter Bishop]

And Happy Birthday you old git!