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Reeling in the big catch

The thrill of competitive sport fishing
Enzo Vigil patiently waits for a fish to take the bait at Boranda Lake in Palo Alto.
Enzo Vigil patiently waits for a fish to take the bait at Boranda Lake in Palo Alto.
Kianna Panaligan ’27

Year round, sport fishing competitions have anglers capturing valuable fish and the hearts of millions worldwide. 

From serene freshwater lakes and rushing rivers, to the vast saltwater oceans, this beloved hobby blends challenge and excitement to achieve personal accomplishments, mastering techniques, or competing against fellow anglers in tournaments. 

The multifaceted sport allows fishing enthusiasts to experience a journey of skill, patience, and passion. 

What sets sport fishing apart from other typical sports is the emphasis on its skill and strategy. An experienced angler must know when and where to fish, what specialized gear to use, as well as how to handle the equipment. All of these factors play a significant role in the success of the results; therefore, the angler’s capacity to understand and apply their knowledge to varying conditions is widely critical. 

Kianna Panaligan ’27
At Alpine Lake, a serene lake near Mount Tamalpais, anglers hope to catch the coveted largemouth bass.

Unlike other sports where athletes can control the outcome, fishing requires an immense amount of patience and perseverance—this is where many anglers find fishing to be difficult.

“To me fishing looks easy, but when I try, it is actually pretty hard. I catch myself being really impatient when I don’t get a fish immediately, especially since I have no clue what to do half the time,” expressed beginner angler Rachel Gerke ’27. 

“As someone who fishes pretty frequently, it definitely took time to figure out what I liked and what I didn’t like. I would go with my brother to fishing lure shops, and experiment with different ones. Fishing in my opinion is not really a one fits all situation,” stated avid angler Enzo Vigil ’27. 

“Yes, fishing can be complicated and complex, but it can also be as simple as putting a worm on a hook,” added Daniel Vigil ’82.  

There is always an opportunity to fish. Fishing remains a popular activity throughout the year for it has a wide range of environments that engages anglers during any season, in any weather, from all corners of the globe. Each setting requires its own techniques and equipment, which adds to the excitement and complexities of sports fishing. 

Avid angler Davio Vigil ’20 said, “Fishing is one of those things that you can always do, no matter the time of year. For myself, I go pretty frequently with my brother, and we go just as a simple way to relax and to enjoy nature whenever we like.” 

To many competitive anglers, sports fishing is more than just fishing, but rather, it’s a community. Experienced anglers pass down their knowledge to the next generation, and many are willing to share their own knowledge and experiences with other fellow anglers. Many anglers found fishing as a way to bond with their peers, family, or even strangers.

“There are many times where another fisherman cracked a conversation when I passed them to move to a different spot, usually asking if it was a good fishing day or not, or how many fish they caught that day. I appreciate it when they suggest the lure they are using, because I always seek to buy more,” stated Enzo Vigil. 

Outside of the competition’s focus, many anglers just enjoy the thrill of discovering something new each time they cast their line. With so many variables to experiment with, fishing is a sport that never gets boring, for there are so many layers that can be added. 

Fishing offers endless opportunities to play with the choice of bait, lure, and gear, as well as weather conditions and temperatures constantly change the game of fishing.

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