Fishy Business

Why is it that catching a fish is so satisfying? Dominance? I’m not a vicious person, nor do I assume anyone else is either. Somehow though, feeling the sudden tug, race to reel in the line and discovery of a frantic fish desperately gasping for air at my mercy makes me want to fist pump and hiss “yesssssss”.   

It’s a bit sick when you consider it. I certainly do not feel this way about birds or mammals (despite being a happy carnivore) but with fish, I’m down for the kill.   

Hanging out on PEI a few weeks ago, my killer instincts set sail. Near Brackley Beach at Cove Head Harbour, my hunting partner and I boarded Richards Deep Sea Fishing liner hungry for fin. First jigging for mackerel to use later as bait, our crew had a slow start. We wormed our way around a few different areas and finally snagged a hot spot to caste. We eventually hooked enough keepers to move on to cod. This is when the knife came out.  

I was shown how to swiftly sever the body into suitable pieces of bait. Excited by what was to come, my hands were steady as the blood gushed and the kids on the boat screamed zombie fish!”  
A few hours later, with little success by most, we were on our way back to shore; chased by gulls under the most gorgeous setting sun I’ve ever seen.

I’m proud to report that of 26 fish caught by our crew of 15, we caught 50% of them! 12 mackerel and 1 of only 3 cod; snagged by yours truly.   

The following night, over an open camp fire, we cooked up our prize prey. Served with new PEI potatoes and green beans, we tore through their salted, tasty flesh with groans of delight. This I decided, is why catching a fish is so satisfying. Delicious!