From the moment I could hold a fishing rod, I was hooked.
The early morning fog, rich palettes of red dusky skies, the quiet and peaceful state of mind combining with the blind excitement of my yet-to-catch “dream fish,” saw my two passions converge—faith and fishing.
For me, it is not about the fish to catch or eat, but rather the whole journey—rigging and preparing the gears the night before, finding and driving to a new spot and then simply enjoying the scene, where fish if any, is a bonus.
I often use these fishing sessions especially when going solo, as time for mental prayer or a personal mini-retreat.
I find it easier to connect with Christ when I am out and about praising and witnessing his creation—from the little things he created that swim or creep under the ripples to the grand sweeps of dawn and dusk.
Whether you are an experienced angler or just starting, fishing can help you grow in your faith too, just remember to abide by the state’s “commandments” regarding fish size and bag limits.
Sitting with God and waiting for the gentle tug of the hook provides numerous opportunities to grow fruitful virtues such as prudence, patience, gratitude, generosity and humility.
You’ll soon realise there is no point in getting angry because nothing is biting, or because someone took your secret and sacred fishing spot, or even crying over that one that got away.
You must be wary of pride too. Sometimes, you’ll hit the big score, dropping your hook into a school of fish, and pulling one out one monster after another. This is when you might realise that pride is taking over. You are over-fishing, being greedy, taking more than you need.
Fishing is much like prayer.
Imagine you caught your dream fish that you have targeted for years. After endless nights deep-diving into fishing videos on YouTube, spending money on upgrading tackles, exploring new spots week after week, and practising the best suitable rigs, one day it all pays off.
Casting a line into the water requires patience and intention, so too does prayer. When we engage in constant prayer, we align our hearts and minds with God’s purpose, much like an angler who meticulously selects the right bait to attract fish.
Over time, as we refine our prayers, we often find that our initial desires transform, aligning more closely with God’s plan for us, akin to adjusting our fishing technique to achieve greater success, or even changing our ideas of what makes a trip to the water’s edge successful at all.
While I may not consider myself a “fisher of men,” the Bible richly employs fishing imagery to convey profound truths.
The miracle of the two fish and five loaves (Matthew 14:17-21) demonstrates how faith can multiply our seemingly meagre offerings. In another instance, after a frustrating night of unsuccessful fishing, Jesus instructs his disciples to “cast the net on the right side of the boat,” leading to an abundant catch (John 21:6).
These stories remind us that, like fishing, our faith journey requires guidance and trust in God’s timing.
Sometimes our faith—that invisible line connecting us to God—may feel frayed or distant.
When we stray, we must re-tie that line, much like securing the difficult but trustworthy “FG” knot, ensuring that our connection to God remains solid and unwavering. Through repentance and renewed commitment, we can shorten that distance, allowing our faith to grow ever stronger.
Finally, as believers, we also have a shared duty to cast our nets wide—to reach out and bring others into the kingdom of heaven.