Whether you’re a seasoned angler or someone who just likes a good fish tale, fishing is full of surprises. It’s a world full of bizarre creatures, extreme destinations, eccentric techniques, and stories that would regale even the most skeptical landlubber. Did you know that fishermen once used birds to catch dinner? Or that some fish use tools? If not, stick with us and we’ll tell you about these – as well as many other interesting facts about fishing!
In this article, we’ve rounded up 15 unique – and sometimes downright unbelievable – facts from the world of fishing. From ancient techniques and fish with superpowers to underwater oddities and out-of-the-box fishing gear, join us as we explore some truly surprising facts about your favorite hobby.
Caveman Anglers
Humans have been fishing for at least 23,000 years. The oldest fishing hooks were made from the shells of sea snails. They were found in Sakitara Cave in Okinawa Island, Japan, and were estimated to be between 22,280 and 22,770 years old.
In the Americas, the earliest fishing hooks hail from Cedros Island, in today’s Baja California. Also made from seashells, the fishing gear found on the island dates from around 11,000 years ago. The archeological remnants on the island also represent some of the earliest traces of human life on the entire continent!
Heaviest Fish Ever Caught
Among the top 17 heaviest fish ever caught, there are 10 Sharks. The overall heaviest fish on the IGFA record was a Great White Shark that weighed in at 2,664 pounds. The monster Shark was caught in 1959 by Alfred Dean while he was fishing off the south coast of Australia. Interestingly, before setting the current record, Alfred also caught two other Great Whites weighing 2,333 and 2,536 pounds, respectively.
Nowadays, fishing for Great Whites is strictly prohibited, meaning that Alfred’s records will remain for eternity. However, you can still take a crack at the second place prize, which is currently held by a 1,785 lb, 11 oz Tiger Shark, which was caught in 2004.
Speed Demons
Which fish swims the fastest is a hotly debated topic. The BBC famously recorded a Black Marlin stripping a line at 82 miles per hour. Later research, however, disputed this claim. It put the average Black Marlin speed at a much lower average of around 22 miles per hour.
Nowadays, Sailfish are often mentioned as the fastest fish in the sea. Scientists once estimated that these fish were able to reach speeds of 77 miles per hour. However, when put to the test and rigorous research, these speeds once again proved unrealistic. Instead, the maximum speed Sailfish can reach was put at 33 miles per hour. But although they may be slower than we previously thought, Sailfish are still the fastest fish out there, followed by Barracuda.
The Secret to Tarpon Leaps
Whoever’s had the opportunity to fight a Tarpon knows just how exhilarating it is. The “Silver Kings” live up to their names, putting on a show of fantastic power and acrobatic ability. There’s a reason why they’re so good at leaping, though – it’s the fact that they can breathe air!
Tarpon can gulp air and extract oxygen through their swim bladder. This lets them survive in low-oxygen waters. It also gives them that explosive, raw energy when hooked, allowing them to leap out of the water and pull with back-breaking power.
Fish Smart Enough to Use Tools
We’ve all heard stories about how Bass won’t bite on the same lure twice. Or tales of how they can even recognize faces. However, some fish go way beyond that in terms of intelligence. Certain types of Wrasse that inhabit coral reefs have been seen grabbing clams and smashing them against rocks to open them.
But what fish species is the smartest overall? The likely answer to that is Manta Rays. These magnificent creatures have the highest brain-to-body ratio of all fish. And when put to a mirror test, they’ve even demonstrated behavior that suggests they might be self-aware. To put it into perspective for you: dogs, as smart as they are, fail the mirror test.
Cormorant Fishing
Cormorant fishing is what you get when you ask yourself the following question, “Why am I bothering with a rod and reel when these birds are so good at catching fish?” Anglers in Asia had this thought as early as the 7th century, and they’ve found ways to use cormorants to help them catch fish ever since.
The technique involves tying a loose snare around the base of a cormorant’s throat, allowing anglers to control the bird. The snare lets the bird eat small fish, but prevents it from swallowing larger catch, therefore giving the angler a chance to retrieve it. Besides China and Japan, the technique has also been used in Greece, North Macedonia, and even as far as Peru.
World’s Longest Rod
How long is too long when it comes to fishing rods? If you ask the Schweizerischer Fischerei-Verband (we’ll let you figure out the pronunciation), there’s really no limit. In 2011, this Swiss angling organization constructed the world’s largest fishing rod, earning them a Guinness World Record.
The rod they created measured 73 feet and 7 inches (22.45 meters), and it was built from all the material you’d normally use in fishing rods. They used carbon fiber for the different blank sections, bamboo for the handle, and silk for the wrapping. Meanwhile, the world’s largest fly rod is located in Houston, British Columbia, where it serves as a 60-foot-tall monument.
Your Fishing Line Can Last Centuries
Monofilament is the standard choice of fishing line for most anglers, especially casual fishers. It possesses great knot strength, stretches under pressure to help it absorb shock, and it’s typically the least expensive option. But even though it’s easily replaceable, you shouldn’t throw your line away – and especially not in the water!
Made out of nylon, monofilament line takes a long time to biodegrade. It can remain in the environment for up to 600 years. So if you don’t want creatures to get tangled in your line centuries after your Saturday morning escapade, make an extra effort to recycle your fishing line. It’s as easy as putting it in the plastic sorting bin!
Parrotfish Beaches
The next time you’re somewhere exotic and relaxing on a gorgeous, white sand beach, you might just be lounging in Parrotfish poop. Worry not, however, as these fish quite literally excrete beaches.
Parrotfish possess powerful beaks that resemble those of parrots, allowing them to crunch up corals to eat the algae inside. Then, they excrete the coral skeleton, which is composed of calcium carbonate, as fine white sand. Impressively, a single Parrotfish can produce up to 200 pounds of sand per year. How’s that for a fishing fact?
River Monsters
Although the biggest fish species in the world are found in saltwater, the Earth’s rivers and lakes have their own fair share of monsters. Sturgeon are the world’s largest freshwater fish, with the Beluga variant reaching lengths of over 23 feet and weights of over 3,000 pounds. These fish, of course, weren’t taken by rod and reel, disqualifying them from counting as fishing records. However, they were, without a doubt, monstrous in size.
Some other river monsters include the Mekong Giant Catfish, one of which weighed in at 646 pounds in 2005. The widest fish species on record is the Giant Freshwater Stingray, measuring over 7 feet across. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to battle the largest Salmonid, head to Mongolia and cast for the mighty Taimen!
A Fish Older Than America
Greenland Sharks fall among the longest living vertebrates, with scientists estimating they could live for over 500 years. The oldest Greenland Shark on record was estimated to be around 400 years old, which would put its birth year around the same time the Mayflower first set sail. They also grow incredibly big – the current record for Greenland Shark stands at 1708 lb 9 oz, for a fish caught in 1987 in Norway.
Meanwhile, the oldest fish living in captivity is Methuselah, an appropriately named Australian Lungfish located in San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium. It’s estimated to have been born between 1922 and 1931, and it’s been residing in the aquarium since 1938. Methuselah’s caretakers have noted that the fish enjoys back and belly rubs.
Upright Swimmers
Many fish need constant forward movement to breathe, while others can make do by moving the bony flap that covers their gills, forcing the water inside. Seahorses are the exception to both of these methods, as they neither require forward motion nor do they use their opercula.
In fact, these unique fish swim completely upright and take in water through their mouths, extracting the oxygen through their tiny gills and then spitting the used water back out. Scientists claim that Seahorses evolved to swim upright so they can blend with the underwater grass and avoid predators. Cool, right?
Is Fishing a Sport?
If fishing is a sport, are fish athletes? If this question has ever kept you up at night, you’re not alone. But certainly, whether fishing is a sport or not is debatable. If you look at it as purely a competition between you and the fish, it’s hard to consider it a sport, especially as it doesn’t really require much in terms of traditional athletic ability.
However, if you put it into the context of going up against other anglers, especially in a regulated tournament, fishing quickly begins to resemble what you’d call a sports competition. Also, although you may not need too much athleticism to fish well, there’s definitely a degree of physical skill involved in casting as well as battling fish. So what’s your take?
Fishing the Roman Way
Good news – you can now ponder about the Roman Empire even when you’re fishing! As long as you’re fly fishing, that is. The method of using artificial flies as bait dates back to the 2nd century, when the practice was noted among Macedon anglers fishing on the Astraeus River.
Historical records describe anglers tying red wool around the hook and attaching two rooster feathers to it. Sounds like a pretty familiar process, right? The actual river mentioned in the records has never been identified with certainty, but it’s thought to have been flowing through Northern Greece, which was part of the Roman Empire at the time.
Here’s another interesting fact – fly fishing reels got their modern design in the latter half of the 18th century. About a century later, the tackle eventually made it to the US, into the hands of the great Theodore Gordon, the father of the American school of dry fly fishing.
National Fishing and Boating Week
Held the first week of June every year in the US, the National Fishing and Boating Week is a fantastic time to be out on the water. Besides it being the start of the peak season across most destinations in America, many states also offer free fishing days during the celebration.
In the US, fishing is, in fact, more popular than many traditionally mainstream sports such as golf or tennis. It’s claimed that more people fish every year than they play golf or tennis combined. So, fishing during the national week is a good way to celebrate your favorite pastime, introduce your kids to angling, or maybe even make a new buddy or two.
Fishing: A World Full of Wonders
And there you have it! How did you enjoy our rundown of interesting fishing facts? The great thing is that we’ve barely scratched the surface with the facts we mentioned here. There are so many other amazing things going on in the world of fishing. If the article has left you itching to head out, consider hopping on a charter to experience the wonders of being on the water first-hand!
What’s your favorite fact about fishing? Would you like us to write another article with more facts? Let us know in the comments below!
