Trapping Fish - The pastime that is thrilling and satisfying

Report and Pictures by Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 08 April 2010: Throughout the world, trapping fish also known as fishing has been considered as a thrilling and satisfying pastime. Fishing is a fun experience for those who want to chill out during the weekends. It is even more exciting, when one catches his ‘prey’ without spending the entire day, waiting for it to swim into the trap. Catching considerable amount of fish is the most satisfying experience not only for the thrill of it but also one could enjoy it either in curry or fried.

In different countries and different regions within the same country verities of techniques and implements have been used for trapping fish. Angling has been one of the most commonly used methods of fishing in which an individual with single hook with bait, attached to a nylon line which in turn tied to an angling rod of palm leaf stem as in coastal regions of Karnataka would wait patiently for a bite. A floating indicator attached to the line would indicate whether a fish is biting the bait or not. Two or three strong bites would be sufficient for the fish to be hooked and be pulled out triumphantly by the angler.  This kind of fishing many a times is more for fun and thrill than for any serious domestic consumption.

In shallow river waters fishing has been done through a reed woven basket like implement known as ‘guri’ which has a narrow opening on the top through which a hand can pass and a broad open bas. This implement is usually used during night time in shallow waters the trapper carrying a powerful light, usually a gaslight. In modern times powerful batteries are used. The fish gets stunned with the powerful light and remains still. At this juncture, the person thrusts the guri in water and from the opening on the top inserts his hand and picks up the fish trapped inside the guri. This action is repeated till sizable amount of fish is caught for consumption.

Makkeri is a rudimentary fish trap that can be used only in shallow waters to catch small fish or shrimps which in turn could be used as bait to catch larger fish.

Net has been the most commonly used method to trap fish. Usually, those who have nets spread them across the small river  or  fix them in semicircular manner on the same bank of the river, sometimes sprinkling some kind of fish food over the water to attract the fish within the area which  gets trapped.

Traps are culturally almost universal and seem to have been independently invented many times. There are essentially two types of trap, a permanent or semi-permanent structure placed in a river or tidal area and pot-traps that are baited to attract prey and periodically lifted. Recently i came across hi-tech fish traps in my neighbourhood which are quite effective in trapping fish. I was told that these fish traps have been brought from abroad. These are quite strong fish traps in which the prey could be easily trapped. This typical fish trap has the shape of a drum and consists of  a frame of thick steel wire. The mesh wraps around the frame and then tapers into the inside of the trap. When a fish swims inside through this opening, it cannot get out, as the wire opening bends back into its original narrowness. In earlier times, traps were constructed of wood and fibre.

These types of fish traps are used exclusively in coastal regions in rivers and river mouths. After placing the bait inside the trap such as chicken intestine or any other bait that attracts the fish, the trap is tied to a long rope and swung across the water and allowed to drown. The other end of the rope is tied to a bush or reed by the side of the bank. If the trap is dropped in the water in the night it can be pulled out in the morning. If dropped in the morning it can be pulled out in the afternoon. Usually certain amount of river fish gets trapped inside this kind of fish trap.

In the last week of December 2009, few guests from abroad had come for vacation at my neighbour-Monthu Castelino’s home.  They were Walter, husband of Mrs. Shanthi Barboza (Matharo Chorbela fame) and his brother Edward. Both of them being fishing enthusiasts, spent considerable time in trapping fish in the nearby Belle river. Once they showed me two large sized ‘Marimuguds’. They did trap Marimuguds quite a number of times.  Edward has been an expert fish trapper. Hailing from Kanajar, Edward was in Kuwait for some time and is presently in New Zealand. He told me that right from childhood he has been a great enthusiast of fishing. Even while in Kuwait, he used to go with his friends for angling. Whenever he comes to native place on vacation he does not leave any opportunity to go for fishing. Even in New Zealand he occasionally goes for deep water fishing in boats with his friends.