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elitism
Glad there are people around to tell me how I should fish, and what type of fishing is OK... and what a "good" fish is.
DaveK, you asked the perfect question... why do you (we) fish?
Some people on this board fish for fun, sport, relaxation... some people take fishing and more importantly, themselves way too seriously.
Fishing is something we can all participate at our own level. Sure, I'll make fun of a clam dunkin' tourist, or someone fishing with their spinning reel upside down, but its for fun. We all have our own "Goals"...
For someone to judge me for fishing the way I enjoy, or calling a fish "nice" when I enjoyed catching it... I got some four letter words for ya. If I'm targeting schoolies because I'd rather catch a bunch of fish, rather than fishing at night for a chance at some bigger fish, hey if is ok with me, than it ought to be ok with you. I don't have to fish up to your standards.
Maybe there are reasons someone doesn't want to stay out all night. Maybe there are reasons someone doesn't buy a bigger boat and troll or baitfish offshore. Personally, I have a family and a house and a career... I have to be available to all those things... and I have time and financial responsiblities to all those things.
Fishing is a huge part of me, and always has been, so I will find a way to find a way to balance it in as best as I can.
And from my perspective, I like active fishing, casting artificial lures and catching alot fish. I don't enjoy trolling as much, I don't enjoy fishing bait as much. Does that make me right? NO.
And if tomorrow, I want to go out and sling some eels and enjoy a cool, quiet night under the stars, have I become a better fisherman or a better person? Give me a f'n break.
And a nice fish is often determined by expectations... if I get a 32" fish while chasin' some schoolies, its a nice fish. If I get the same fish at night casting eels, its not so nice.
The point of the original question is valid. Like any sport, you have to have ways of judging yourself against others. And for reporting purposes (i.e. the Fisherman), certainly there needs to be some generally accepted size classification.
I'll certainly get very excited about getting a big fish. And I know what a big fish is... 28lbs. is not a trophy fish. If you want to hack on the Fisherman for saying a 28lber is a trophy, fine.
But at the point that someone criticizes others for posting reports or pics of fish they are proud off, or fish they enjoyed... they have crossed the line.
e-lit-ism n
the belief that some people or things are inherently superior to others and deserve preeminence, preferential treatment, or higher rewards because of their superiority
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