What is the Difference between Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing?
Fishing is a good pastime to get into as a way to relax as well as get in touch with friends. It’s also a great way to get acquainted with what nature has to offer, since Singapore is home to a wide variety of freshwater fish.
However, the debate between saltwater and freshwater fishing still continues today, and asking different anglers in Singapore will only give you different answers.
But what exactly is the difference between the two?
Saltwater vs. Freshwater Fishing
Specific locations aside, there are a few differences regarding the natures of the two, as both present their own challenges and their own rewards if you put in the time and effort into angling in these waters.
Freshwater is still much cheaper compared to saltwater fishing – freshwater fish is much easier to catch, and the currents are much weaker. Freshwater fishing is also more relaxed and laid-back.
Meanwhile, saltwater fishing can be quite different. Unless you live near the coastline, you won’t have too many opportunities to do so, and saltwater fishes are generally more aggressive. It’s also particularly difficult to get right on the first few tries, as the currents are stronger.
The fish species that you can catch in Singapore arealso quite different in both biomes: saltwater fishing can get you species suchas barracuda while freshwater fishing can hook you peacock bass (a prized fishamong anglers) or catfish that weigh as heavy as eight kilograms.
Which one is better?
The short answer: neither.
The long answer: Both saltwater and freshwater fishing present their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and you will need different equipment to be prepared for each.
While freshwater angling is much better in terms ofbeing a laid-back activity, saltwater fishing is more challenging because ofthe tides, and the adventure of saltwater fishing is a key part of the charm.
Most freshwater fish, especially the trophy and edible fish, are crepuscular feeders, which means that they go out to feed either at sunrise or at sunset. Meanwhile, saltwater fish are often more active during daylight hours.
However, whether it’s saltwater or freshwater fishing, the best tool you can take with you to either is still patience – waiting for something to snag the bait will take hours.
You will need a lot of this and remember to not lose it the instant you cast your line into the water. You can’t catch if you don’t wait for the fish to find the lure and make your floater sink, and to know this, you will constantly need to keep a watchful eye on it.