Do you guys consider bass fishing a sport. I am in a dicussion with a friend who says fishing is not a sport, but he thinks hunt

[canvasbackhunter]

Do you guys consider bass fishing a sport. I am in a dicussion with a friend who says fishing is not a sport, but he thinks hunting is a sport. Any points I could bring up?

[Gary Devine]

According to Prep Rally, Kentucky has announced that it will become the second state in the nation (behind Illinois) to sponsor a high school bass fishing state championship.

[99explorer]

Bass fishing with rod and reel is definitely a sport. Trotline fishing for catfish is closer to trapping.

[small game sportsman]

Yes, bass fishing is defiantly a sport. But then again, what else did you expect from this site.

[2Poppa]

Fishing is a sport! Cheerleading is not a sport.

[Drover1]

Originally, the English word “SPORT” referred to recreational fishing, hunting and falconry. Competitive events such as jousting or wrestling were “GAMES.” Today we refer to games such as football or baseball as “sports,” but fishing and hunting really are sports (even when they are not set up as competitions.)

[99explorer]

Commercial fishing with a net would not be a sport, whereas angling with rod and rel is a one-on-one challenge,demanding knowledge and skills throughout the event.
Another major difference between the two is the element of fun which is missing in commercial fishing.

[DSMbirddog]

Does yopur friend have a reason for the distinction between the two? I certainly consider fishing a sport.

[Sourdough Dave]

Fishing is a pass time, but then the sport of baseball is America's pass time

[Knife Freak]

I think it depends on why you do it if you set nets and traps for fun than it is a sport if yu use a rod and a line to catch tuna to sell it is a job, but yes I consider any form of fishing besides commercial a sport. Ad I am not considering competitive or sponsored fishing commercial.

[Knife Freak]

I both hunt and fish and both take a lot of effort. When I am hunting and fishing I am walking everywher I go. Then you have to catch or shoot the animal, clean animal and haul it home the distance you walked so it is definately a lot of work. And for anyone that thinks limblines and trotlines for catfish isn't work they are wrong because it's probably more work setting checking and resetting than bass fishing is.

[Knife Freak]

Also ask your friend if he considers bow fishing a sport because if he doesn't his argument is purely emotion based and not worth anything.

[chuckles]

It may not be a sport but hiking canyons in a 5mm neoprene leisure suit certainly is a workout.
Or if that sounds boring try hooking a nice trout in the tail above a rapid your boatmates are expecting you to help paddle through.
I have had some very "sporty" experiences fishing, some I would care to repeat and some that were strictly one timers.
Maybe have your friend traverse a snow field on a 45deg slope in felt wading shoes and then ask him again.

[Glenrock]

Fishing is a sport and can be competitive.

[santa]

I looked up the word "sport" in my trusty old Webster and here is what I found: "1. Pastime; amusement 2.Outdoor diversions, as fishing, hunting, and esp.athletic contests; also indoor contests of similar nature, as bowling, basketball, etc. 3. (a) Pleasant jesting; as, he spoke in sport. (b) Mockery; as, he made sport of his efforts. 4. (a)A toy. (b) A butt; a laughingstock. 5 A person who takes or accepts things in the spirit of fair play, as if abiding cheerfully by the rules of a game." Thus without going any farther into Webster's definition of the word sport, we can see that he declares that fishing is an outdoor sport. Since bass are a fish, I would say that fishing for them would have to be a sport by definition.