to think fishing for sport is cruel?

[littlemisssarcastic]

and wonder why anyone would derive any sort of satisfaction from catching a fish, only to remove the fish from it's habitat, gaze at it, possibly weigh it, have their picture taken while they grin and the fish suffers, and them throw it back again, only for some other cruel fisherman to come along and do the same thing??
Surely the hook must cause the fish pain? Doesn't the fish feel frightened?

IA probably BVU, but what is the actual point?

I can understand why people may fish for food, but what is the point of fishing just to upset/harm/frighten/cause sufferance and pain to an animal??

Seriously, I don't get it!! I also don't understand how anyone can feel pride fishing for sport?
I've heard the argument that the fish doesn't feel any pain, but where is the evidence to back this up? I'd be very interested to see this.

Can any keen fishers out there explain to me please? I am quite sure there is something I am missing. AFAIC see, If I was a fish, especially a fish in designated fishing grounds, I'd rather be caught, killed swiftly then eaten, than be repeatedly terrified and made to suffer for the enjoyment of the fisher. What exactly is so enjoyable about fishing for sport? What exactly makes a fisherperson feel proud when they are fishing for sport?

AIBU to judge someone because they fish for sport?

Complex, it is backed up by some higher level of authority. Like many things, there are opposing theories.

littlemisssarcastic I agree with every word you say, and also I love the questions you ask, which I note, no one has answered!
You would get more response on a 'fishing' forum, I can't imagine many mumsnetters actually choose to fish for sport?

To address the issue of whether fish feel pain/stress etc, ask anyone who has an aquarium. Fish definitely feel pain/stress. There is even a product called 'stresscoat' to add to the aquarium water. Go into any Aquarium supply shop ans ask the experts there whether fish feel pain/fear/stress...they will tell you that yes, they do. When putting the net in the tank when you purchase a fish for your aquarium, the shop staff will tell you that it is not easy as the fish panic and swim away from the net, why would they do this if it were not for fear?

Some people who have injured fish add salt to the tank or even directly to the wound and will tell you that yes, fish feel pain, and change their behaviour when the salt touches their skin.
To the question of why fish will still take the bait from a line - the bait's fishermen use really are that good, the fish would surely need the brain of a higher mammal to work out the difference?

I really believe that one question littlemisssarcastic asked is important - which was, if people who fish for sport thought fish did feel pain, would they carry on? I think the answer would be 'yes'...just as the morons who shoot big game for fun, (yes I am talking to you Phil-I'm-a-big-man-Spencer) don't give a hoot and in fact love to torture and kill another living, breathing, feeling being.