A Sport Or Not?

[K_Mac]

Sure fishing is a sport. The question is, are fishermen athletes? As has been said, there are some who have the physical gifts and conditioning to qualify-most of us do not, even at the highest levels IMO. Athleticism is certainly not required to succeed at this sport. Shimmy's grandfather is a great example of someone who wants to fish badly enough to condition himself to be able to. There are physical skills involved in fishing that some of us will never master, but that does not make those who do athletes. 

[Deleted account]

Never said he did, just provided facts that ESPN considers fishing a sport!

Yeah but since they sold BASS, they don't even cover fishing on "The Ocho"...

[Fishing Rhino]

Ok guys go to Google, type in: ESPN Top Salaries in Sports 2011.

If you don't type the exact words you will not get the exact list.

Now we are reading the same list, why so many list I don't know but feel free to argue with ESPN.

 

Okay, I did as you requested.  What came up was the highest paid athletes in thirty sports. 

 

Best-paid athletes in 30 sports

[SirSnookalot]

Espn's use of the term salaries is inaccurate, winnings from prize funds are not salaries.  Salaries are a guaranteed wage, in sports today they all have contracts.  I would doubt many people would dispute tennis being a sport, there are many players both male and female that surpass 900k a year in prize fund winnings.  Factor in a few other sports and competitive events like golf or race car driving and it's hard to believe that KVD is in the 20 th position.

[birdoflight]

Factor in a few other sports and competitive events like golf or race car driving and it's hard to believe that KVD is in the 20 th position.

It sounds like the SPORT is at position number twenty, and the top earning individual for the named sport is listed.

[flyfisher]

Espn's use of the term salaries is inaccurate, winnings from prize funds are not salaries.  Salaries are a guaranteed wage, in sports today they all have contracts.  I would doubt many people would dispute tennis being a sport, there are many players both male and female that surpass 900k a year in prize fund winnings.  Factor in a few other sports and competitive events like golf or race car driving and it's hard to believe that KVD is in the 20 th position.

They actually make the distinction that it is salary and or prize money and endorsements are not part of the deal.  the article is also labeled is highest paid athletes in 31 sports.

[SirSnookalot]

They actually make the distinction that it is salary and or prize money and endorsements are not part of the deal.  the article is also labeled is highest paid athletes in 31 sports.

Regardless of how much money is earned from whatever sources the issue is whether fishing is a sport, I still say no.  I've read the arguments pro and con and I'm not convinced, but if someone believes that fishing is a sport they are entitled to their belief.  What I believe doesn't diminish my passion at all, I fish 7 days a week year round rain or shine.

[George Welcome]

 

_sportnoun

_{: a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other}

_{: sports in general}

_{: a physical activity (such as hunting, fishing, running, swimming, etc.) that is done for enjoyment}

_{Full Definition of SPORT}

₁

_{a :  a source of diversion :  recreation}

 

_{b :  sexual play}

 

_{c (1) :  physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2) :  a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in}

 

_{According to Mr. Webster the above definitions are what counts. I doubt that any of our input will ever change the meaning of the word sport.}

[Sam]

 

 

_sportnoun

_{: a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other}

_{: sports in general}

_{: a physical activity (such as hunting, fishing, running, swimming, etc.) that is done for enjoyment}

_{Full Definition of SPORT}

₁

_{a :  a source of diversion :  recreation}

 

_{b :  sexual play}

 

_{c (1) :  physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2) :  a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in}

 

_{According to Mr. Webster the above definitions are what counts. I doubt that any of our input will ever change the meaning of the word sport.}

 

 

George, great seeing you post. Where have you been?  Long time - no see.

 

Great discussion about fishing being a sport. Some people believe there must be a ball involved. Others will disagree.

 

Frankly, there are so many things you can do without a ball that can be considered as a "sport" that it really does not matter what anyone says. If you enjoy it and it takes physical exertion then I think it is a sport. This would include running, competitive walking, biking, fishing, weight lifting, wrestling, gymnastics, chess, chasing girls, catching girls, swimming, aerobics, Pilates, etc. 

 

Hey, if golf can be a sport then fishing can be a sport.

 

Come on George, let's have some more great posts. You can't be that busy chasing girls!!!!

[George Welcome]

Can't chase girls any more. Have to lure them now without getting a bite.

[SirSnookalot]

 

 

chasing girls

There is a term for that...sport********

[A-Jay]

Here is my rule:  if you can drink beer and smoke WHILE participating, it is not a sport.

 

ha

 

I would add that if you can be morbidly obese and be at the top of your "game", it is not a sport.

 

Just because something is on ESPN does not make it a sport.

 

Here a short list of a few overweight & fairly successful "Athletes" who you might know.

 

For the record I'd say fishing is a sport but not all it's participants are Athletes.

 

CC Sabathia  ~ 290

Cecil & Price Fielder  240 / 270

Sebastian Janikowski  250

David Wells   Just Fat

George Foreman  267

John Daly  290

Charles Barkley  252

Babe Ruth - No one really remembers . . .

 

A-Jay

[Virtuoso]

Tis is a sport. Compete right? Make er a sport

[RoachDad]

Here a short list of a few overweight & fairly successful "Athletes" who you might know.

 

For the record I'd say fishing is a sport but not all it's participants are Athletes.

 

CC Sabathia  ~ 290

Cecil & Price Fielder  240 / 270

Sebastian Janikowski  250

David Wells   Just Fat

George Foreman  267

John Daly  290

Charles Barkley  252

Babe Ruth - No one really remembers . . .

 

A-Jay

yeah, most baseball players do not consider pitchers athletes.  I am pretty sure I could beat David Wells at anything called a sport.

John Daly - Golf is not a sport

Barkley 252 is not really fat

 

 

Anyway, that was just my rule. 

[Brian Needham]

in that case, does it take an "athlete" to play left field LOL?

[ChrisAW]

I can't believe this is a debate.

 

Definition of Athlete:

 

A person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

 

Fishing at a competitive level requires SKILL, and physical agility AND stamina.

 

It may not be running or sprinting, but by definition again,

Agility or nimbleness: is the ability to change the body's position efficiently, and requires the integration of isolated movement skills using a combination of balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, strength, and endurance.

 

 

So yes, by definition it is a sport and anglers are athletes. I don't care if you're even a weekend angler, fishing still requires skill to know where to go and how to get them to bite, and agility as defined above. Every time you make a cast is an example of agility.

[Insanity]

Like when you hit one of those perfect few days where you catch one on almost every cast. Until your arms feel like there going to fall off. And you actually change baits just to slow down the bite. Lol!

Yep it's a sport!

[SirSnookalot]

Like when you hit one of those perfect few days where you catch one on almost every cast. Until your arms feel like there going to fall off. And you actually change baits just to slow down the bite. Lol!

Yep it's a sport!

If you had said pulling in 10# jack cravelles on every cast, which I've done, yeh your going get tired.  But if ya get tired pulling 5# bass that takes no more 60 seconds to land, one is in not very good shape.  These professional bass fishermen having been catching fish since before they could walk.  I doubt very seriously if they get tired and sore, they may not be athletes but their fishing muscles are in perfect shape.  Landing a bass is not a major undertaking, especially with heavier rods and heavy braided lines, thick vegetation is the hardest part of it.

[RoLo]

It's really just semantics.

I think of baseball and football as games, but think of hunting and fishing as sports. 

Football and baseball are played outdoors, but "Sports Afield" magazine is devoted to hunting and fishing.

 

Sports are commonly divided into two categories:

>> Participant Sports   (like hunting & fishing)

>> Spectator Sports:    (like football & baseball)

A Participant sport tends to burn calories <> A Spectator sport tends to collect calories (hotdogs, potato chips & beer)

A Participant sport involves personal achievement <> A Spectator sport is watching the achievements of others

 

Roger

[BenB54]

Maybe the better conclusion to make is that being a pro fisherman or whatever does not require one to be athletic at all, just like golf or pool or any other games out there.

If you want to get down to brass tacks, baseball is considered a "game" also. So, you can add that to the list with golf and pool.

[BenB54]

There is a term for that...sport********

I got a really good laugh out of this.

[JT Bagwell]

Amazing how many people have viewed this thread.

I love this site.

[CDMeyer]

I hate it when people try and say it is not a sport.  I am surrounded by these people everyday at school.  They think all we do is go out in a boat and "sit" and "watch a bobber"..... Maybe that is not a sport but these type of people have no clue to as what we do out in a boat BASS FISHING.

 

Bass fishing is like no other, it takes years to learn the ins and outs and even then big name pro like Edwin Evers say the reason they like the sport is because you can never master it.  He also  states that he is still learning today. 

 

So let them talk, let them claim they know what Bass Fishing is..... they could not tell you what a Texas-Rig or a Carolina-Rig, a crank bait a bug bait or whatever.  They have no clue what these things are.  This is a sport and we are athletes, and do not let anyone tell you different, use it as motivation for you fishing career.

[CDMeyer]

There are also reports of BASS Pro anglers burning 4800-5800 in one tournament day..... a pitcher in base ball who weighs 183 burns 900 calories in 2 hours, I am not a base ball guy but I belive that is about what the pros pitch in an outing

[Yakin4bass]

I say there's different classes of sports. Athletic sports such as football hockey baseball etc. then outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing. Then there's competitive sports such as nascar golf chess.