KOCHI: Fishing, it seems, is not confined as simply a livelihood option for many people of the state. In fact, angling – a method of fishing which is one of the fastest-growing sport across the globe – is slowly gaining foothold among people in the city.To satisfy the city’s angling fan base, Anglers Club Kochi, is organising a surf fishing competition on Sunday. This will be the second edition of the All-Indian Surf Fishing Competition which the club will organise at Chappa beach near Elamkunappuzha from 10 am to 4 pm.
“In the first edition of the competition organised last year, we had around 50 participants which included people from other parts of India, especially Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. This year we are expecting participation of more than 70 people. We are providing the tackles used for angling and cash prizes to winners,” said Renjith Kumar P V, the president of Anglers Club Kochi which got registered recently.
The registration fee for the event is `1000 which includes food, potable water, surf sinker, hooks, swivel and baits. The competition would require various tactics to get the catch. Winners would be decided on the basis of the weight and length of the fish they catch. The data will be recorded and the fish will be released into the water. Anglers would mostly target predator fishes. The first prize winner will receive tackles worth `20,000 and `5,000 in cash. The first runner-up will receive `15,000 worth of tackles and `3000 in cash. The second runner-up will be given tackles worth `10,000 and Rs 2000 cash.
The entire idea was conceived two years ago when anglers in Kochi formed a WhatsApp group.
“Though there were several anglers in Kochi, there was no organised group. Two years ago, some of the anglers in the city formed a WhatsApp group. Today the group has more than 250 members from doctors to daily wage labourers. We were the first organisation to conduct an angling event in Kerala last year. Kerala has two angling clubs. Other than members of our club, there are several people actively engaged in angling across Kerala,” Renjith said.
Besides organising competitions, the club also conducts classes for people interested in angling. It recently conducted classes on freshwater angling and surf fishing. “We also guide people who are looking to procure angling gear. Fishing gear, including the rod and reel, of different price range can be purchased. Buying angling gear was difficult earlier. Now, there are several shops which provide all the equipment. We will like to promote angling further as it gives an insight to fishermen on the scientific side of fishing,” Renjith said.