Nothing can stop the footsteps of humanity in fishing! Across the world, the imagination unleashed by humans for fishing knows no bounds!

Fishing is a method of catching fish. "There is no superiority in fishing methods; fishing skills vary in depth; all methods are natural." Different fishing methods are used for catching other fish species in various water bodies.

For instance, in natural water bodies like lakes and reservoirs where big fish are targeted, sea fishing rods are preferred, while in fishing ponds, hand rod platform fishing is generally used. So, what are the commonly used fishing methods? Which method is the best? Below, we introduce several mainstream and widely used fishing methods.

1.1 Surfcasting.

Surfcasting involves using specialized rods designed for catching large fish. The advantages of surfcasting include long casting distance, resistance to wind and waves, minimal risk of fish running away, simplicity and efficiency, and high flexibility.

Surfcasting often involves bottom fishing with rigs such as rig-and-sinker or explosion hook setups, with bells used to signal fish bites. A single angler can use multiple surfcasting rods simultaneously to increase the catch rate. The disadvantage of surfcasting is its suitability only in areas with flat bottoms without aquatic vegetation or debris; otherwise, there's a risk of snagging, and fish bites are only indicated when the fish has swallowed the bait.

1.2 Shore Fishing.

Shore fishing, handheld sea, and freshwater rod fishing resemble surfcasting with softer rods and shorter casting distances.

The advantage of shore fishing is its versatility for both large and small fish species. Shore fishing can utilize rig-and-sinker or explosion hook setups for targeting species like crucian carp, black seabream, and grass carp, making it widely applicable.

1.3 Pole Fishing.

Pole fishing has been popular for over twenty years and is used in competitive and leisure fishing.

Pole fishing combines a hand rod, mainline, float, sinker, swivel, leader line, and hooks for bottom fishing. It suits species like carp, crucian carp, and tilapia, especially in fishing ponds. The advantage lies in the hand rod for controlling fish, enabling quick retrieval and easy fish removal.

2. Spearing

This fishing method is only observed in the Loyalty Islands.

Fishermen first observe fish movements from elevated rocks and then spear them using wooden spears! However, this traditional fishing method is at risk of disappearing. Only older adults and a few young individuals occasionally use this method to preserve tradition or as a form of physical exercise.

3. Lighthouse Fishing

Unable to resist the temptation of dazzling lights in the dark, bonitos swim to the surface, unaware that a large net is waiting to catch them all!

Clustering together, the bonitos are surrounded by fear, performing their final frantic dance to escape the trap, but it's too late.

4. Stilt Fishing

This fishing technique can only be witnessed in southwestern Sri Lanka. From dawn till dusk, fishermen sit on stilts embedded in coral reefs, maintaining a discreet posture to wait for the fish to bite.

They collect the caught fish in white bags hung on the stilts and bring all their haul back to the shore after a few hours.