




Sportfishing, also known as recreational fishing, is fishing for leisure, exercise or competition. It can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is professional fishing for profit; or subsistence fishing, which is fishing for survival and livelihood. The most common form of recreational fishing is angling, which is done with a rig of rod, reel, line, hooks and any one of a wide range of baits, as well as other complementary devices such as weights, floats, swivels and method feeders1. Popular fish species pursued by recreational fishermen are collectively known as game fishes. Although the caught fish can be consumed as food, catch and release is often encouraged for conservation purposes.