The die-hard fisherman is a recluse. Our sport demands it of anyone who aspires to true greatness. Whether it is a lifetime of waking before the sun, weekend nights spent descending service ladders on 100 foot bridges to enhance bait presentation, or even simply embracing the skin-clinging stench of fish and blood that we all know, each hardened angler has been forced to confront the discrepancy between what society expects and what the fish demand. Time and time again, the importance of fish behavior will trump that of what most would consider common sense. During snook season, I have debated with myself and others about whether to sleep for a few hours before fishing an outgoing tide at 2AM or whether to stay up through the night instead. The “normal” question of whether fishing at 2AM before work the next morning – whether or not a nap is involved – has rarely come up. In certain cases, I have seen once loving relationships crumble, personal hygiene and safety neglected, and large grizzled captains giggle like school-girls. Fishing is a powerful addiction.
This fosters a great deal of understanding and compatriotism between fishermen. We have learned to create our own society, complete with unique regional diction (anyone know the difference between a cobia, ling, and a black kingfish?), varying uniforms, and an economic infrastructure that is truly amazing (recreational fishing has a $115 billion impact on the US economy according to the American Sportfishing Association). The general spirit of unity between anglers can withstand politics, gender, race, religion, and almost any other divisive subject that has plagued mankind throughout history. Dig deep enough however, and one can observe the only irresolvable debate that threatens to dismantle the fabric of the sportfishing community. Read more….