Question for the UK crowd

[VictorCharlie]

Two of my biggest hobbies are hunting and fishing. Some years I do more hunting than others but I get pretty grumpy when I can't get out on some water and catch some fish. Texas and the south in general are real big in freshwater fishing and hunting but I know people across the nation who are avid hunters and anglers. Obviously with the gun laws in the UK I doubt many people are hunting much but is fishing very popular? Fresh or Salt water?

[Master]

There was a thread here about fishing I was amazed the amount of saddos that enjoyed the "sport".

[0james0]

Fishing is pretty big in most places, we're an island so most places aren't far from water, so it's quite natural.

I like lake fishing, carp. Haven't done it in ages though. Can't beat lazing around with beer and smoke and food. Catch the odd fish, enjoy the battle.

Hunting is mainly in the countryside though and shooting much, much shitter things than you will be shooting.

I saw some guns you guys used to hunt with on here before. Looked like something out of Die Hard! Nothing that cool here.

[Mattyhitman]

Fishing is huge in the UK, I do alot of fishing myself. Only freshwater, never been interested in sea fishing. Prefer to fish lakes and ponds, for the likes of carp, tench, roach, rudd etc. Biggest carp i've caught was 22lb. I used to work on a golf course many years ago as a chef, It was a live in job, so i lived above the clubhouse, when not working i was either golfing or fishing the many lakes on the course. One day i stalked the two biggest carp in the ponds, one was 22lb the other was 20lb, managed to catch them both on the same session, was totally buzzing !!!

[Memphis]

I won a sea fishing trip going back many moons, for winning a badminton competition

Was great fun until someone caught a massive conger eel and it got a bit lively on the boat, one of the fisherman had to stab it, put me off a little bit, that and my dad taking me beachcasting at Chessel beach in the freezing cold.

I love freshwater fishing, not too keen on the carp world though, too many gizmos and gadgets for my liking. Give me a pole a pint of maggots and a canal and Im happy as a pig in shit, sun would be nice too.

I hate having to pay for fishing, its not on god damit

[Conrad]

Was great fun until someone caught a massive conger eel and it got a bit lively on the boat, one of the fisherman had to stab it,

That made me laugh, reminded me of an Inbetweeners episode! See below, quality!

I read somewhere recently that Fishing was the most particpated 'sport' in the UK, more so than even Football. It's not something I like personally, went carp fishing as a kid but just sat there trying to shoot the water rats with my Dad's catapult.

I also went Pirahnna fishing when doing a boat trip down the Amazon in Bolivia. Our guide said we could eat whatever we caught but there's feck all meat on them. In fact we would've had a better meal if we just ate the beef we were using as bait to catch the little fuckers.

Hunting in the UK is not particularly popular as far as I know. Fox hunting is now banned and we aren't allowed to own guns as such. I think you can hunt certain 'game' such as Pheasant, Partridge & Rabbits etc But definitely nothing like in the US.

[superheavyrhun]

I have no particular objections to hunting if it is to provide food, or if it is to eradicate pests, but I find the trophy hunting especially distasteful. There was a recent case where the largest stag in an area was killed, and the body left to rot once the hunters had taken the antlers which were immense. If the meat or hide gets used, then my objections lessen, I'm not sure where exactly I draw the line though. Toffs on horses though, I absolutely cannot stand. If I believed in God I'd be praying for 15-20 stray bullets, then torn to pieces by their own pack of dogs. The people who go on the large hunts in their best red coat and with their minions marshalling the dogs will always say it's a country thing and people from the town wouldn't understand. I'm country through and through, and I don't understand either.

Fishing too, I don't really get. There's always guys pitching up at lakes especially in a camo tent and some stand for their rod, and the only time I see them is about 7am on a Sunday when I'm going to work. The rewards must be really great to drag someone out of bed at that time on a Sunday.

[Beanz]

@VictorCharlie what do you fish for on your side of the pond?

[Vendettos]

Fishing is popular but from what my friends tell me decent places to fish require a license, which can be quite expensive.

[Andre]

Why is fox hunting banned? They are as bad as cats gone wild out in the bush here they kill most things they can smaller than themselves.

[Andre]

Local fishing we get these flatheads great tasting tails but dont ever get spiked they hurt as in a sharp prick ache for a long time.

Flathead (fish) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Dark Lord Al]

Local fishing we get these flatheads great tasting tails but dont ever get spiked they hurt as in a sharp prick ache for a long time.

Flathead (fish) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes Andre I have caught and eaten flatheads in port Philip bay.

[Fenster]

In London, down on the Thames, I know some down-and-outs that catch eels and sell them to pubs, fiver a time. Good people (when they're not drunk/drugged out of their mind).

[Plopeater]

I have done Plenty of Fishing

[Andre]

I have done Plenty of Fishing

You ever eaten Durian fruit Plopeater?