Saltwater fishing
Saltwater fishing lures enthusiasts and then swallows them hook, line and sinker. Dreams and ambitions abound of spending precious leisure hours out on the saltwater fishing our hearts out.
The embracing smell of the sea breeze permeates our nostrils as in a predator-like fashion we begin our saltwater fishing hunt for the ‘big one’! Strange creatures that we are, once satisfied with the token photo of our big catch, as a rule we tend to choose the smaller, sweeter varieties of our saltwater fishing catch for our meal.
Living the ultimate rugged life at sea on a tropical saltwater fishing and tourism vessel for some years, has been an unforgettable lifestyle experience and I feel inclined and indeed obliged to share the thrill with other fishers of less, similar and broader experience. The many aspects for discussion on saltwater fishing include but are not restricted to surfcasting or beach fishing, netting, trawling, rod and reel fishing, hand line, sport fishing such as marlin, bait netting, mud crabbing, spear fishing and finding and marking your own favoured saltwater fishing spots. Then comes the myriad of equipment one needs or simply covets; boats large and small, navigation and other vessel equipment, legislation, licences, methods and equipment to store your catch and of course how to deal with the end product, in other words how to prepare your saltwater fishing catch and present it at the dinner table.
One of the most appalling failings among saltwater fishing addicts is the number of people who put to sea ill prepared for the worst-case scenario. Ill prepared insofar as having the correct and necessary safety equipment, ill prepared in maintaining that equipment and ill-prepared in the knowledge required to operate said equipment. The low value that some folk put on their own lives and the lives of their fellow fishers and their families astounds me. Whilst saltwater fishing is a wonderful outdoor activity it is also presents a high danger level. The sea is not something to trifle with. It is to be respected. It can be an unforgiving master. We need to examine methods of maintaining a high level of safety and maintenance so we can continue to enjoy our chosen pastime of saltwater fishing.
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