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Sport fishing, also known as game fishing or competitive fishing, is a popular activity in which anglers compete among themselves to catch a variety of different target fishes.

Sport fishing is that involves angling for sport rather than solely for sustenance. It is a specialized form of fishing that emphasizes the pursuit of challenging and prized fish species, often in competitive settings or with a focus on personal achievement. Unlike recreational fishing, which typically involves casual and leisurely fishing for relaxation or enjoyment, sport fishing places emphasis on the thrill of the chase, the skill and technique required, and the pursuit of larger or more elusive fish.

The fishing equipment used for the sport are, rods, reels, lines, hooks and baits. Most competitions are conducted in deep waters, so a boat is often required.

Tournaments and competitions are common in sport fishing, where anglers compete for prizes based on factors such as the size, weight, or species of fish caught. The competitions can be contested individually or in teams. In competitions, points are  awarded for each fish caught. The points awarded for each catch varies based on the weight of the fish, and their species. Some competitions also factor in the strength of the fishing line used to calculate scores, which results in teams using thinner and weaker lines ending up with more points for an identical catch. The team that score the most number of points is declared as the winner.

Two major classifications of the sport exist based on the type of water: fresh water fishing and salt water fishing. The most popular salt water fishes targeted are marlin, tuna, and Chinook. And the most popular fresh water fishes targeted are: snook, salmon, bass and catfish. Several sport fishing competitions are conducted based on the specific kind of fish targeted, like bass finishing tournaments, or salmon fishing tournaments.

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Similar Sports

• Casting — fishing without fish, the objective is to test the accuracy and distance of a cast.
• Underwater Fishing — competitions using a spear to catch fish underwater.

Related Pages

• Angling Demonstration at the 1900 Olympic Games
• All About Fishing Sports
• Inside the World of Competitive Offshore Fishing 
• About Blood Sports
• Complete list of sports
• The Encyclopedia of Sports