Over the past decade, various technological advancements have crept into fishing, which has made fishing as a sport or hobby easier and more efficient. Some people say that there’s too much technology involved these days and that it’s ruining fishing, and others argue to the contrary.
With that said, let’s dive straight in to discover which key technological innovations have had the biggest impact on making fishing easier for anglers across the world and whether these technologies are enhancing or ruining the experience.
Is fishing a sport or hobby?
Fishing is officially recognised as a sport by the GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations), but it can also be classed as a hobby, depending on the circumstances and type of fishing.
For example, some people go fishing to relax in their spare time and consider it a great way to connect with nature, but others like to take part in competitive fishing competitions as a sport.
You also have other people who like to play fishing-themed video games on dedicated gaming sites or play fishing-themed online slots on legally permitted iGaming sites like those currently featured on casinos.com.
When it comes to fishing as a sport, the main types of fishing-related sporting events include the following:
- Non-angling fishing, such as spearfishing and bowfishing
- Match fishing, where anglers compete against each other to land either the heaviest fish or the most fish, all of which are unharmed and released after the event
- Angling, which is the traditional sport of rod and line fishing and can include lure fishing, fly fishing, and float fishing
- Recreational fishing, aka game fishing or sport fishing, is simply fishing for fun competition or as a form of light exercise
Which key technologies have helped make fishing easier?
Several key technologies have helped make fishing easier and more efficient, but it all comes with benefits and disadvantages. For example, some technologies have made fishing so efficient it has raised concerns about sustainability, especially regarding commercialised fishing techniques.
Some of the key technologies that have enhanced the fishing experience for millions of anglers worldwide, whether they fish on lakes, rivers, seas, or oceans, are things like fish finders, LED lights, sonar technology, GPS systems, fishing apps powered by artificial intelligence, and electric reels.
How have these technologies made fishing easier and more efficient for anglers?
Sonar technology helps people scan the ocean floors searching for schools of fish, which has significantly speeded up the process of finding fish.
Similarly, fish finders also help to pinpoint exactly where individual fish are. This same tech also typically provides other key data and statistics, such as the depth of the fish, how big or small they are, and even their behaviour.
GPS (global positioning system) technology also helps fishing boats to navigate and remain positioned more accurately in specific fishing sports on lakes, seas or oceans. Electric reels help people to reel in much heavier catches and reduce the risk of injury.
Cutting-edge LED lights help lure/attract certain types of fish and can repel other fish species. And finally, there are now many innovative AI-powered fishing apps that can be downloaded and installed for free on most modern iOS and Android smartphones.
These apps use huge volumes of data to forecast things like the best fishing sites and the perfect hours and seasons to go fishing.
Whether we like it or not, fishing technology is here to stay, and it will continue to evolve and get even more sophisticated over the coming years.
Will technology ruin or enhance the fishing experience?
Again, it all depends on the context. Some people like using technology, and others prefer fishing the traditional way without too much tech and only a rod, line, float, and bait.
Some people say that technology has taken the fun out of fishing and is ruining the experience, whereas others say that it has made fishing more fun and has taken the experience to the next level.
In other words, it all boils down to personal preferences and what type of fishing you typically like to be involved in. Although it can help people find fish and assist anglers in many other ways, it still doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to catch more fish.
It doesn’t make fish more hungry or make them want to nibble on your bait. Therefore, it still hasn’t taken away the thrill of fishing, and you still need a bit of luck to catch them.
Final thoughts
If the technology isn’t overused and when applied correctly and in moderation, it can enhance the experience, but it still isn’t for everyone.
Each angler is different; some people like using fishing tech to enhance their experience, and others prefer not to use the tech currently available to them. What type of angler are you, and what do you think about its impact on fishing as a sport or hobby?