Angler, People who take part in leisure activities have fewer negative emotions and are less stressed, suggests one study from the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
Unwind Angling
While angling is a fantastic sport that allows one to unwind, finding interests away from the water doesn’t mean you have to exclude angling completely. If you don’t live near the water or you’re simply looking for additional hobbies when you’re unable to have a rod in hand, here are just three ways to incorporate angling into various aspects of life.
Crafting your own lures
For angling enthusiasts, getting crafty by creating your own fishing lures is the perfect way to indulge in the sport while learning about it from a different perspective. Homemade lures will not only save you money, but can allow you to keep up with the trends in terms of what fish are going after. According to research by the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, fish learned to avoid hooks by observing and learning from the mistakes of other fish in their environment. As such, the Mossy Oak article explains that older lures are becoming “less and less effective, increasing the need for newer, more expensive lures that fish haven’t seen before, in an effort to trick them into biting.” While there are lure-making kits that include everything you’ll need to get started, the article points out that creating your own lures can be done with supplies you may already have at home.
Starting an aquarium
Starting your own aquarium is a fantastic hobby to get into at home, especially if you don’t live near the water or are interested in learning more about fish in general. While simply getting a fishbowl and a goldfish to match can seem rather straightforward, starting an aquarium involves plenty of supplies and research. In addition to learning about the different types of fish and their tank size, food requirements, etc., it’s also necessary to ensure you have all of the correct supplies before investing in the fish themselves. When looking for the right aquarium, for instance, The Spruce Pets notes that “larger is better,” going on to point out that sticking with shorter, longer tanks will provide more swimming space and surface area for air exchange. The Spruce Pets also offers a comprehensive checklist for those looking to start their own aquarium, with key items including a filtration system, decorations, reference books, substrate, and more.
Angler-focused gaming
In addition to creating your own fishing lures or starting an aquarium, the sport of angling can also be integrated into other hobbies as well, including when it comes to online interests. In fact, there are a myriad of angling-focused games worth exploring — Game Rant highlights several, including Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour, which features a unique career mode. “Players start out as inexperienced anglers and must work their way up through the ranks by winning tournaments and other competitions,” notes the post. Other video games, such as Stardew Valley and Pokemon Sword & Shield, feature fishing as an activity, too, underlining the multiple ways in which you can go fishing — without physically being near the water.
For those who prefer angling-themed games rather than simulation-style games, Big Bass Bonanza is just one worth considering. A fishing-themed slot game from Pragmatic Play, Big Bass Bonanza is set against a lake backdrop and features high volatility along with an RTP of 96.71% (allowing for the potential of wins up to 2,100x). Bonus features include a free spins round, where you’ll have the chance to score more wins with multipliers and wilds, making for the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day.
Angling is a fantastic sport for many, though having additional, related hobbies can be a fulfilling way to pass the time until you’re able to make it back to the water. From crafting your own lures to starting an aquarium or even playing angling-themed games, there are plenty of ways to integrate angling into all aspects of life.