Catfish Noodling
This essentially includes attempting to be eaten by a catfish on purpose. You use your hand as a hook to pull a Catfish out of the water by sticking your arm down its throat while simultaneously submerged in water.
Many years before the Europeans came on the peninsula, the Native Americans were fishing for catfish. It was adopted by settlers in the South and along the Mississippi and became a popular folk ritual. In some parts of the world, it’s still a big deal. In some countries, it’s unlawful to do this.
Trout Tickling
Practicing the simple art of trout tickling is a challenge in and of itself. In a calm and collected manner, you approach a trout and gently tickle its belly with your hand. When the fish enters a trance state, it becomes easier to handle. Tickling is Europe’s counterpart of noodling, more common in the US.
In the past, this unconventional method was most prevalent in Britain. For a last-minute feast or a dinner robbery, this is an excellent option because it doesn’t require any special equipment. It’s still linked to poaching and is illegal in the United Kingdom.
Flounder Tramping
What is tramping? Once you find a flounder, you stomp on it in shallow, murky water. The end. That’s how it works. Is it effective? Not in the least. It sounds simple, but is it? Quite the contrary. Is it ridiculous? Absolutely! Some people believe that tramping should have been banned because it is cruel to the fish. Fish may be harmed by tramping, but that doesn’t mean it’s fun for the tramper.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing was common practice in the past, akin to the American tradition of Flounder gigging. Trident-wielding guards were outlawed as it was determined to be a dangerous practice, though certain types of spearfishing are still in existence today.
Drone Fishing
So far, we’ve looked at strange customs that have been passed down through the generations. However, our forefathers weren’t the only ones with vivid imaginations. Inventions in technology have inspired some of the strangest methods for catching fish.
Drone fishing may be more of a general term than a specific technique, but it is becoming increasingly popular. A drone camera can conduct a rudimentary reconnaissance mission to find fish, much like sonar.
Wheeled Fishing
Fish wheels are watermills that yield salmon rather than power. The fish are scooped out of the water and placed in a holding tank using baskets attached to the wheel’s paddles. You don’t need electricity or any special maintenance to make it work. Set one up, keep it running, then return to collect your catch.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the strangest fishing methods; there are countless others.