Wang Yuanyuan

    cheekywang@hotmail.com

    FISHING is no longer an activity just for middle-aged men. A growing number of young, energetic people have fallen in love with fishing in recent years and are spending increasing amounts of time on the water to escape busy urban lives.

    With long coastlines and warm weather, Shenzhen is a great place to go sea fishing.

    “You can fish on a raft, a rock, a boat, a yacht, a reef, a port or a beach with fishing rods and nets. You can also go far away from shore and catch exotic fish in the deep sea, because it’s very easy and cheap to rent fishing boats at local ports. But those journeys are not suitable for rookies,” said Shenzhen resident and deep-sea fishing enthusiast Wang Dongmin.

    In addition to necessary gear such as fishing rods, nets and buoys, other equipment also is needed when heading out to sea.

    “For example, a cooler is necessary,” Wang said. “It can store frozen bait and keep fish fresh. Live bait can be put in a box with an air pump.”

    Safety equipment is another necessity.

    “Things such as a first-aid box, a big barrel of freshwater, hats, sunglasses, sunblock and life vests are must-have items. Even when you fish on the beach or a rock, these things are still necessary to avoid emergencies,” Wang said.

    For sea-fishing rookies who want to fish in deep waters, it’s always recommended to go with professionals.

    “It is more difficult to fish from a boat or a yacht, so for those who don’t have much experience in deep-sea fishing, the better choice is to rent a yacht and go fishing at some small reefs in the sea. Most yacht captains at local ports know deep-sea fishing well, so you can let them help you fish and protect your safety,” Wang said.

    In Wang’s opinion, deep-sea fishing is not an easy job and requires large amounts of energy, professional skills and good health.

    The average price for renting a speed-boat is about 150 yuan (US$24) per hour.

    Wang suggested that people who don’t fish frequently should take deep-sea fishing seriously, as it can be much more dangerous than fishing in lakes or reservoirs.

    “Good health is essential. People may take it for granted that fishing is a quiet and relaxing activity, but this is not the case in deep-sea fishing. If you are caught in something unexpected, such as a storm or a boat problem, less strong people could be in danger,” Wang said. “I’ve worked out every morning for several years and play soccer on a regular basis. Otherwise, I might fall sick easily and feel exhausted on the boat.”

    There are several online forums for fishing in Shenzhen, including www.szfisher.com/bbs/ and www.sz003.com/. These forums are very helpful for those who want to go deep-sea fishing, providing information such as fishing instructions, recommended locations, recommended tackle shops and even tide tables. Netizens on the forums organize fishing trips on a regular basis. Unfortunately, these sites are only Chinese-language.

    — Deep-sea fishing is not an easy job and requires large amounts of energy, professional skills and good health.