| Big-game fishing, offshore sport fishing or | | | | be adverse weather and sea conditions. |
| offshore game fishing are all one and the same, | | | | Depending on where and when you decide to go |
| catching lean fish such as tuna and marlin in the | | | | big game fishing will be reflected in the size and |
| open sea. Popular both as a sport and for | | | | power of the boat used. Organised fishing trips |
| recreation, there are regular annual tournaments | | | | can last anything from a morning’s fishing |
| arranged or offshore fishing charters to | | | | close to the coastline to a week’s deep sea |
| experience this exciting thrilling sport. International | | | | fishing trip. Most captains and native fishing crews |
| anglers book well in advance to enter | | | | will have spent most of their lives on fishing boats |
| competitions in big game fishing travelling all over | | | | and made their livings from it and so have |
| the world to destinations as far ranging as Florida, | | | | obtained a vast knowledge of the local seas, |
| California and Hawaii, the eastern coastline of | | | | including where to find the big fish, and all the |
| Australia, Thailand, Tobago, the Caribbean, Mexico | | | | know-how of the fishing gear. |
| and South America. The idea of big game fishing | | | | If you are interested in big game fishing, |
| is to reel the fish in once it is properly hooked on | | | | experience is not necessary. The captain and |
| the line. This can be pretty intimidating, as the fish, | | | | crew should have years of experience, explain |
| especially if it is a big one, will be pulling away | | | | everything to you and provide all the equipment |
| from the boat and you need to keep the line | | | | needed. Many people catch large fish their first |
| steady, using all your strength to keep your grip. | | | | time big game fishing so it is never too late to |
| The appeal to many is not only the thrill of | | | | learn and can be great fun! Imagine the thrill the |
| fighting these huge fish, but the difference | | | | very first time you experience reeling in a huge |
| between the tranquillity of being out in the ocean, | | | | blue shark or some other remarkable fish. |
| surrounded by the seas and then the sudden | | | | Reputable game fishing charters operate a catch |
| adrenaline rush kicking in as you experience a | | | | and release programme, the most popular is the |
| catch. | | | | Billfish Foundation where billfish are tagged and set |
| Boats used for offshore game fishing have to | | | | free again, rather than gaffed and killed, in order |
| have sufficient power, seaworthiness, speed, | | | | to protect the species. This also creates a bond |
| strength and scope to convey crew and | | | | between groups of anglers and fishers worldwide |
| equipment some distance out to sea. There is a | | | | who have a common goal, and lessons can be |
| large quantity of essential equipment in big game | | | | learnt with regard to migration patterns and the |
| fishing and the boat has to have the capability to | | | | rate at which these fish grow. |
| stay steady when fighting fish, in extreme cases | | | | If you fancy having a battle with some of the |
| these fish can weigh anything up to 400-500 | | | | world’s most exciting game fish check out |
| kilograms. Boats also have to be able to safely | | | | the Internet for details on destinations and plan |
| carry crew and others back to land in what can | | | | your trip today. |