10 Facts About Fishing Most People Don’t Know
Last Updated on May 20, 2022 by Boatsetter Team
Fishing is a really relaxing and enjoyable sport, where you get to spend lots of time out on the water in the fresh air on your fishing boat rental. Fishing can be as simple as throwing a line in the water and waiting for a bite, but like any hobby, there are ways to make it far more complicated. There are also so many things that new fishermen might not know about the sport. It is important to become familiar with some of these things before you head out on the water. Here are ten fun facts about fishing that might be a little hard for you to believe.
So Many Fish in the Sea!
Arranging a fishing boat rental can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), there are around 38 million anglers and 32,000 species of fish in the world. Some estimates say that there are over 15,000 fish species that are still not yet identified. So if you enjoy fishing, you are certainly not alone! There are still so many more types of fish to discover in the world’s lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Watch out for Lightning!
Some intriguing research has found that anglers on a fishing boat rental are more commonly hit by lightning than any other sportsmen because of the extra time it might take to seek shelter and because of their own general carelessness. Fishermen are often the farthest away from any kind of suitable shelter when they are in a fishing boat rental far from the shore. If you are looking to get out on the water for some fishing and if there is a big storm approaching, just take a few deep breaths and wait until a better day to go fishing. The fish will all still be there!
Remember the Horsehair
The first fishing reels were invented in China during the 4th century, but angling only became widely popular in the 15th century. During that time, most fishing lines were made by hand from horsehair, and then they were replaced by silk line in 1908, which could be commercially produced by machines. There was also linen line appeared that was used for catching big-game fish. Today’s lines are almost all made of synthetic materials like fluorocarbon. These types of fishing lines have a refractive index similar to that of water which makes them almost invisible in the water.
The History of Spearfishing
Long before people threw lines into the water to catch fish, many Native American cultures relied on spears for their fishing. Fish was a big part of some of their diets and male native Indians went spearfishing while the women were not allowed to use spears and so they used a simple system of a string with a hook on the end. Although this practice has become increasingly rare on a fishing boat rental, there are still some people who use spears to catch fish, for example, by using high-powered spear guns while they are scuba diving.
The Oldest Fish Hooks
The oldest fish hooks were made from the shells of sea snails. Some samples were found in a cave on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and these samples have been said to be 23,000 years old. Marine scientists have suggested that these types of fish hooks were used mostly in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea when fishing started becoming more popular in those places.
Most Fish Cannot Swim Backwards
Fish are powerful swimmers and they can dart back and forth in many directions. Although there are some exceptions, it is believed that most fish simply cannot swim backwards due to the anatomical design of their bodies. Since eels are designed very differently from most fish, they are one of the species of fish that actually can swim backwards through the water.
Catfish Have No Scales
Most species require scales for protection (almost like a shield of armor). Catfish, though, don’t have scales like other fish, but their bodies are covered by a thick mucous layer. They also have lots of chemoreceptors all over so that they can taste and smell with their skin. This is what gives catfish their distinctive appearance and why they are so easy to recognize!
Impressive Sturgeons
Whie catfish can get pretty big, the sturgeon is actually the largest fish found in the fresh waters of North America. The white sturgeon, which lives in the Pacific Coast region, can reach a weight of almost a ton, and fish that are in the 200- to 300-pound range can be quite easy to catch on a fishing boat rental. Sturgeon are not intentionally dangerous to humans, but in Florida, there have been several incidents of large sturgeon leaping out of the water and injuring those on a fishing boat rental.
Hungry Pike!
One of the most aggressive types of fish in the world is a pike, a long-bodied predatory freshwater fish with a pointed snout and large teeth. They are actually cannibalistic and they are often avoided by many other fish, including those of their own species. Other species will often follow bait for quite a distance and then turn away right at the last second. A pike, however, has been known to attack pretty much any kind of lure or bait that passes its way. These fish taste great but they can be really aggressive, so keep that in mind when you are heading out on your fishing boat rental!
All kinds of Fisherman Superstitions
Fishermen can be extremely superstitious people, so be prepared to hear some tall tales from them. There are so many strange things they believe, but here are just a few. First, they think you will not catch any fish if you take fishing rods into your house before you go fishing. Second, they think it is bad luck for a dog to stand near fishing equipment – but black cats are said to bring good luck if they come nearby! Third, they think that if you go out on your fishing boat rental, you should not look back once you cast off because it will bring bad luck. Finally, they think that other fishermen who wear earrings or have tattoos won’t drown in a shipwreck or if they fall overboard.
A Few Other Interesting Facts
Are you interested in learning some more fun facts about fish and fishing? Check out these other amazing tidbits that you can use to impress your friends while you are enjoying your fishing boat rental. With Boatsetter, you can have so much fun fishing and enjoying some of the best scenery the world has to offer. There are so many different types of boats, so if you’re trying to decide which boat might be the best for your fishing boat rental, you can use Boatsetter to test the types of vessels that are available to find out what might be the best fit for you and your crew. It’s easy to make a reservation, which is refundable up to 24 hours before the date of departure.
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
