Sport Fishing!

By Kiran Patil
Fishing;a habitPune is an abuzz with abundant activities in its natural vicinity. A less-known but more exciting activity Pune is fond of nowadays is Sport Fishing. At the city’s local water bodies, you will find people angling patiently to catch their favorite fish.

The sport fishing might be unadventurous for people who have already enjoyed it, but for youngsters, who have not tested the sport before, it is most exciting and exhilarating. Places like Bhima River, lakes in Lonavala, Khandala and in the city are haven for the anglers now and are becoming a favorite spot on weekends. Among the variety of fish anglers catch are like mirgul, catfish, catla, and murrel.

What’s more, people are becoming more interested to learn the sport and enjoy the angling. Some folks are also looking fishing as a special weekend hangout activity which enables them to spend their time happily- catching fish and enjoying angling.

Angling in cityFishing, for some people may seem a game of chance rather than skill, but that is not the case at all. Col Pratap, a veteran angler says “what skills one requires for fishing is handling of the hook and keeping your patience in control. If you have mastered these two things, you can be a good angler.”

The budding anglers may take a long time to brush up their fishing skills of handling rod and reel, but once learned it’s tempting and one can not stop oneself angling.
An angler can easily land a fish of 5 to 6 kgs if he/she is skilled at the handling of reel. As you go on landing a fish, you become even more cautious and full of patience as a fish may play a game with you.

“It’s a very engaging sport,” says Pranav Waghmare, who got addicted to the sport long back. Earlier he would go with his friend, to learn how to lure the fish. Having been trained in the fishing sport, he does not need anybody to teach as he has mastered the angling skills. Angling is not a sport that takes a lot of effort to learn, but what it needs is the knowledge of fishes and their habitat. If you are looking forward to fish in deep waters of the sea, then you must read water first as every location differs, same is the case with angling.

Neil, who has won the all India Salt Water Competition held at Harihareshwar in November, says,

One needs to know the variety of fishes first and then you learn their behavioral skills such as their location, eating habits and location most of the time they stay in

Angling in pune cityThis competition is held every year at the same place where anglers from all over the world participate. I think angling is becoming demanding sport and it should be introduced in all sports clubs all over the country, says Neil.

Well, we can’t say whether angling will be introduced in sports club or not but sport fishing should not be considered lesser important for its a thousand year old profession.
Angling could be a way for all human beings to reconnect and care for nature which is a need of the day today. This will also educate people of the frequently occurring changes.


You should follow us on twitter here.

37 Comments For This Post

  1. Eric Says:

    Hi It was nice to read that there are sport fishing people and sure fishing is the best activity to keep the mind free of all the problems away. I switch off my mobile and just its the fish and me.Last week near Pulgoan caught about 35 fish totally weighing 3.5 kgs.

  2. Pranav Says:

    Hi Eric,

    hope alls well.
    goog numder of fish you caught there.
    where in pulgoan did u fish?
    what fish did you catch?
    what tackle and bait did you use?

    i’m into angling too, lets hit the water for a good fishing trip sometime.

    regards,
    pranav..

  3. Siddharth Says:

    Hi, i’ve been trying to find out where i can go angling in pune for quite a while. would it be possible for you to give me the details of the places i could go to and if i would require prior permission from the authorities. I do a lot of spinning at cauvery and have been trying to get in touch with someone who knows their way around this side of the country. would be really thankfull if you could help. thanks.

  4. pranav Says:

    hey Siddharth,

    hope all well..

    Regarding location there are many dams such as khadkwasla,mulshi, varasgaon, panshet etc. etc. and the backwater(far far back…) all these dams are good locactions. many rivers such as pavana, bhima, ghodnadi, Indrayani, kundlika flows near pune you can explore the locations . even abondent ston quarry’s near vishrantwadi, lonavala and other locatintions can be some sort of locations. Even around lonavala there are many locations, so keep fishing and upload photographs and keep writing.

    you;re not allowed to fish in any of the dams or lakes.. so go early in the morning..

    at khadakwasla.. there is a pump house on the NDA side.. that’s the spot you want to go to – ground baiting a must.. – fish fav. food here is fried pakkoda – belive me.. they love it..

    i sudjest you join a forum called indianangler.. asap.. just google..

    it’s a great site.. with over 1000 anglers from all over India..

    i learnt alot here..

    tight lines..

    and

    happy fishing..

    regards,

    pranav..

  5. pranav Says:

    for salt water angling..

    u can try the konkan strip ( THAT’S NOT A STRIP CLUB ) – just kidding..

    spinning, trolling etc.. u can try it all..

    regards,

    pranav..

  6. Siddharth Says:

    Hey,

    Thank you. yeah i checked mulshi and khadakvasala and a couple of other places out a while ago, but i was put off by the illegality of it. but sounds good :D will definitely hit those spots soon then.

    I read an article in Pune Times a couple of months ago about angling in pune. unfortunately i lost the article and couldnt get a contact number of it.

    anyway will let you know how it goes. thanks a bunch again.

    cheers..

  7. pranav Says:

    hey,

    i had read that artical too..
    was great..

    in fact my name was in it..

    i’m the same pranav who is in the above artical..

    Col Pratap Nair, Neil, Atul and me had taken part in the salt water competition last nov.. it was good fun..

    u must join the mad house called INDIAN ANGLER.. google it and register..
    introduce ur self once registered..
    look out for the fresh water fishing God – Angler Ali.. he’s a great teacher..

    there are some who have fished in the cavery too..

    which part of pune do live..

    regards,
    pranav..

  8. Siddharth Says:

    Hey,

    Oh really? it was a while ago, so i dont really remember, but thats great! Wow i’ve never been salt water fishing, another point on my to do list. It must have been incredible.

    I’ve joint indian angler. still waiting for a confirmation email activating my account. yeah i will look him up.

    I’m staying in panchwati off pashan road. thanks again

    siddharth

  9. mayur Says:

    hey guys,
    i m interested in fishing n have tried my luck at Shirval (nira river).
    i landed big size fish varying from 0.5 to 4 kgs. earthworm was their fav.
    i was alone , but it was fun.
    i m staying at aundh.
    i’d luv to join u guys.

    regards,
    mayur

  10. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    hey ,

    im not a regular or experianced person as far as fishing or angling is concerned {frankly im confused between the difference…..} but would really like to start the aport….. so any help and guidance from your side would be really nice….im residing in pune and would like to know any place where i can start to fish??…what would be the right kind of equipment required ??…..n how costly would it be {im atill a student so all has to be self financed u c…..} thanks your prompt reply would be appreciated thanks

    rgds
    mustafa aziz

  11. mayur Says:

    hi Mustafa
    its good to know about ur interest in fishing/angling.
    Actually i too am no ‘professional’ in this sport, but i pursue this
    sport for the fun and thrill involved.

    if u can spare some time this week we can go together.
    it would be nice to have company.

    regards
    mayur
    email: mayur0777@gmail.com

  12. Chance Says:

    Pretty well written, and also your points are very close to my own. Regards.

  13. Eric Says:

    Nice sport you are getting into as you are learners just go to the spot and watch the experienced guys and as all fisherman are they will guide you and even give you the bait the fish are taking.I started with a bamboo rod with line and hook used some bird feathers as a float.Have patience and you will land the big one.Best of luck guys

  14. Vikram Says:

    Hi All

    I’m another fish out of the water and love to pursue this as my hobby. I don’t have any experience about hi-tech gadgets but surely and slowly gain the knowledge about them.
    I joined the Indian Angler forum and found myself a beginners deal in equipments as one of my colleague was opting for something big and I brought his small stuffs :)
    I’m highly motivated and just want a bend in my rod whatever may it be in the other side :P
    So if anyone is planing for any outings (weekends) count me in.

    2vikramsir@gmail.com

  15. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    @ mayur – sure im stayin at NIBM please do get in touch and we can go fishing sometime….

  16. Rosalee Delallo Says:

    Hello Is there some nice rivers to catch some carpclose by here or in the region,all of my fishing buds have been hooking some in stocked lakes however I am looking for fast water that have a good variety,if you have any ideas let us know,Ill be back. thanks

  17. Vikram Says:

    Hi all,
    Y’day I went to Nira river ( we sat under the river bridge) but unfortunately we couldn’t even get a bite from 9Am to 5PM. That’s very disappointing but the locals said there are really big fishes their, but I guess it was a bad day for us.
    So we will next plan for Kharadwasla Dam in coming weekends.
    Hope to see some bigies there.

  18. Boris Worm Says:

    Howdy,

    I just wanted to let you know that I have been watching for a a couple of days and I would like to sign up for the rss feed. Regrettably, I am not to computer smart so I’ll give it a try but I will need some assistance. This is a good find and I would hate to lose touch, and maybe never find it again.

    Anyway, thanks again and I look forward to posting again in the future!

  19. Vikram Says:

    Hi All

    I just have this thought few hours back – why don’t we all ( whoever interested) go fishing together. It would be fun and we can learn a lot from each other as well as from our experience.
    Put your views for the same.

  20. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    sure vikram

    but lets meet up in pune itself first so dat we can properly plan a few things ….keep me in the loop though

    rgds

    mustafa aziz

  21. Vikram Says:

    Hello Mustafa/All

    It feels very good to see that ppl are visiting very frequently here to check out :)
    We will definitely meet first, lets plan it in this coming weekend 17/18 Jul then we can plan further.
    Open to suggestion…

  22. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    @ vikram

    gr8…..lets do it….17/18 sounds good too…..

  23. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    @ vikram

    gr8…..lets do it….17/18 sounds good too…..

    rgds

    mustafa aziz

  24. mayur Says:

    hey guys,
    its a bit surprising that Vikram couldnt hook anything at Nira river. As he admits, may be it just wasnt his day. That spot actually is very good which i’ve exp. in my visits there.Most of the local guys there share my opinion. i’ve visited a lake at Ambegaon, alonside new katrj (tunnel)by-pass, twice this during this week. lots of small ones like Tilapia, and bigger veg’ies like rohu and katla. but the greatest prob. is prawns & crabs. i got irritated.
    17/18 sounds ok. I’m in.
    time and place to get assembled????

  25. Vikram Says:

    Hi All
    Sorry for coming up late on this.
    So we keep it on 17th, now regarding the place to meet that can be decided on the convenience of each. I live in Karvenagar so where do we can meet ?
    Also I would urge everyone to bring anyone who is interested.
    My No 9096205461, so give me a call if required.

    @ mayur
    I know it was surprising but I won’t let it go so easily, will again hit the spot soon :)

  26. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    i guess camp will be the most apt place to meet
    up my number is 9960941222….
    lets meet up asap…….

    rgdds

    mustafa aziz

  27. Pranav Says:

    hey guys,

    would love to meet up with all who are passionate and love this sport…

    if you are new to this sport… don’t worry about asking any Q’s…

    kindly let me know the place and time and i’ll try n get a rod, reel, line etc…
    for a small demo for beginners…..

    regards,
    pranav…

  28. Pranav Says:

    hey,

    KINDLY SMS ME ON 9372424042…

    ABOUT THIS MEET…..

    REGARDS,
    PRANAV…..

  29. Vikram Says:

    @Pranav That’s just awesome ….

    Just tell me where to land up.. I’d be there ( just one request I’m new to Pune and don’t have a vehicle yet) so it would be nice if the place is not too difficult to find. I’m ok with camp.

  30. MUSTAFA RANGOONWALA Says:

    i say mazorin dats like a landmark pretty easy to find…..but lets act fast…..

    rgds

    mustafa aziz

  31. Mridul Says:

    Hi All
    Just came upon this site while searching for fishing locations around Pune.Good to see some good enthu among the group.I would have liked to join the outing this weekend but i would be travelling .Pls let me know how it went ..i am back by month end and will surely join the next one.
    reg
    Mridul

  32. Vikram Says:

    Hi All

    So lets meet tomorrow at Burger King @ 2PM (2400 Modikhana, East Street, Camp Cantonment, Pune). I searched and found it to be quite renowned.
    I hope it will be fine with everyone, but please do let us know if you have thought anything else.
    Plz contact me at 9096205461.

  33. Mridul Says:

    Did you guys meet on 17th? What was finalized?Pls update as i am away from Pune till next week..
    Reg
    Mridul

  34. Zaki Kazi Says:

    Hey Guys,

    Just found this site, so did you guys meet up? Would like to sign up for any other trips ul might plan.

    Reg
    Zaki

  35. Conroy Says:

    Keep me posted on the next meeting. I need to buy the lines and gear though ….

    However would be interested in a good day of fishing !!

  36. Sujeet Says:

    Hello. Can someone recommend good shops in Pune to buy fishing tackle? Aundh vicinity would be preferable, but other areas are just as fine.

    Its great to see the amount of interest in Pune for fishing.

    Thanks,
    Sujeet

  37. Richard Barooah Says:

    Hello to all my friends here,

    Great to see you all fishing / angling enthuse in Pune.
    I thought it was just me and my friend who is into angling. My friend (Arun Karki) is a pro but I am run of the mill.
    Gentleman we are working with Intercontinental Hotel Group which is just opening soon.
    I handle the portfolio of Director Marketing and my friend who is new to Pune handles the portfolio Asst. General Manager.
    Yester day I went to Khadakwasla did some fishing, though the catch was not big maximum ranging to 400 grams 1 Kg. I think the bait was not correct.
    Guys we want hold an angler competition in Pune and join the gang and make it big….
    Guys please give me your input. You can follow us on Face book too (Richard Barooah)/ (Arun Karki)
    Cheers,
    Richard
    8805009763

Leave a Reply

Follow Us on Twitter


Advertise Here

Our Flickr Photos - See all photos

Shaniwar Waada, PuneView of Shaniwar Waada, PunePaalki, PuneShaniwar Wada Entrance, PuneWada Door, Punekams