Mighty Fighting Fish:
What Makes For Good Sport?

By Ian Ford

The Challenge

We all want a challenge from our fishing. This can come in many forms but I think it is true to say that all anglers enjoy a decent battle once hooked into a fish. This article looks at the factors that make some fish more worthy opponents.

Weight Sheer weight provides the first element to our list. Big fish can exert more pull on the line than a smaller fish of the same species. However, weight alone cannot satisfy us as some big fish are just lazy and allow themselves to be hauled in without any sense of sport at all. Fine for the beginner but not for the avid angler.

Power & power transfer Obviously a fish needs power to put up a good fight. Predators tend to be leaner and stronger as their very survival depends on being able to strike at their prey. Their design therefore tends to allow for a large and rigid tail that can transmit this power into a strong thrust; the sort of thrust that smashes your line. Think of these as Formula One racing cars with their super-size wheels.

Fact: Did you know that the Rainbow Trout is the fastest (and therefore most powerful weight-for-weight) freshwater fish of them all. Tests have recorded speeds of 8.0 metres per second (about 18 miles per hour for those who still think in those terms). This still pales into insignificance against the Black Marlin; with a top speed recorded at 36.1 metres per second (that's an incredible 80 miles per hour) this is truly the game-fisher's fish of fish.

Stamina Raw power isn't everything though. Some fish can give a great tug at the start of a battle but then fade quickly. A classic encounter needs a fish with the stamina to keep fighting until the bitter end. Predators, ones that feed on other fish, do tend to have more stamina but I can think of exceptions.

Athleticism We all know of species that leap in the air and somersault in the desperate hope of shaking themselves loose. Those that feed on the surface are the most adept, having had much practice of swooping upwards on the take. Leaping takes power, but we don't see all powerful fish trying to escape this way - so I see it as a separate factor.

Aggression I keep aggression separate as well. Predators are aggressive by definition but not all are as voracious. Truly magnificent sporting targets such as Golden Mahseer and Taimen are renowned for their aggressive takes, the former usually deep in the water, the latter mostly on the surface. The anticipation of such a take heightens the angler's every sense and ensures that the battle commences with the highest of spirits.

Desperation I struggled to think of a more technical sounding word for this factor. Think of the times when you have played a fish to exhaustion and are just bringing it to the net when suddenly it senses the end and spurts back into life for one more final flurry before succumbing to your skill. I don't think this factor is something that goes so much with species as with individuals but you may have had other experiences.

Wisdom Some species, and large specimens, tend to get a reputation for being wily. They just seem to know a baited hook from a natural morsel and either leave the former alone or use some clever tactic to extract the goodies without actually getting hooked. Perhaps they give a little tug to see if it's an impatient novice; perhaps they nose around to see if there is a line attached. Whatever it is they do, only the studious angler stands any chance of getting a take. This aspect of the challenge is often the one taken most seriously by experienced anglers as they try to prove their own insight and acumen.

Surroundings & atmosphere Perhaps this concept harks back to our hunter origins. Some locations are just much more suitable for an epic encounter. If you love wilderness fishing you will understand my meaning entirely. A pristine river with a backdrop of remote mountains is exactly the sort of place to feel a buzz even before the water erupts and the line screams off the reel.

Timing Certain times of day and certain seasons are more favourable for epic battles. Night-fishing is a classic example. In the dark the angler is less able to perceive the battleground and so the fish gains an advantage. The angler is aware of this and has to rely on a different set of senses.

Conclusion Every location, freshwater or salt, has its own ecosystem and, though not every area is fortunate enough to have the quality of fighting fish named above, there are sure to be local sporting fish as well as local duds. Every once in a while though it is nice to get away and find a new challenge. With a bit of research you can follow up on the factors listed above, and others of your own choosing, to find some exotic species to target and to get yourself an angling adventure to remember.

Ian has lived and travelled extensively in Asia over the last seven years. He has been a passionate fisherman from school-days and is now combining the two fields by offering exciting and affordable fishing holidays abroad for individuals and groups.

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