In south of Portugal, the rivers are infested by tortoises, this is very boring because frequently when do you want fish catfishes you fish a lot of tortoises in your rod
HP, I would love to have you as a guest here in Nebraska, USA for a CATFISHING excursion! We don't have the HUGE Wels catfish here, but we have some native species that are a lot of fun to catch! They might get up to 80-100 lbs, but we generally catch the 5 - 50 pounders.
We also have turtle problems while fishing. They are "bait bandits" and they are damned good at stealing your bait not to mention tangling your fishing lines. You stated "tortoises" but you have that terminology wrong as tortoises are land "turtles", not aquatic specimens. That might just be a language translation thing, but in the states, a tortoise is a land dwelling turtle and a turtle is the aquatic version.
I think I asked you, but I didn't see you reply... Do you fish for the big Wels Catfish there in Portugal? I think that they would be a lot of fun! Lots of folks here in North America are after Bass and Walleye, Trout and Bluegill. But, I am a sport fisherman and enjoy the challenge of a HUGE catch. Those other gamefish are boring to me. Catfish and carp are the fish to catch here because you have to FIGHT them to get them in. Catfish are very elusive, too. You have to be extremely patient in order to catch one. Once they are on the hook, hold on tight because they can be like ocean fishing! Pound for pound, a catfish is much stronger than any other freshwater fish, except maybe the carp, but the carp wears down quick, Carp are sprinters, catfish are long distance runners. I have seen guys try to stop a catfish on the run and they put their thumbs on the line spool to serve as the drag and the catfish ran so fast that it took out all of their line and wore their skin down to the bone! Literally, right down to the bone. A brown or rainbow trout won't do that, neither will a bass, even a record sized one.
If you want to have fun, go out fishing for carp, catfish, sturgeon and drum. Catfishing vs Bass fishing is like comparing American Pro Football to Golf. If you like high intensity contact sports, you'll like catfishing. If you like sitting on the couch watching tennis or golf, then bass fishing would appeal to you more. Seriously, there is that much of a difference.
Not many people realize this. Many think that catfish are trash fish, bottom feeders and dirty. But, it is quite the opposite. Catfish are higher on the food chain than bass. Catfish eat Bass for snacks. Catfish are at the top of the predator level and top of the food chain overall. They are the sharks of the freshwater rivers and they get BIG! Tie into a 16 pounder and you will enjoy the fight, tie into a 45-65 pounder and you will always remember the fight.
The nicest thing about catfishing is that you can relax and enjoy the world while you wait for a fish to come along and eat your bait. You take a cooler full of beer and a good friend along. Sit in the warm sun and talk about life while you wait for the fishes to get hungry and take your bait. You can fish alone, if your mind is independent. Fish with one friend if you are quiet.
It's not so much of a survival practice, it is a social and religious experience. It can even be an escape from the dulldrums of life. A time to dream, fantasize or even develop your mind. You will enjoy the free time to take a pause and get to know yourself and your friends or more importantly, when alone, to learn about God. To converse with God. I do so when I am alone in the outdoors.
I and everyone else needs work on our religious and spiritual matters. My way of seeking this is to go out catfishing. It's slow, so it allows me time to think and to ponder life. Hope you give catfishing a try from time to time. It is worth the time spent.
Gordy
