coarse fish

those kinds of fish not sought after by sports fishermen, or regarded as of lesser importance, perhaps caught for sport but not food. In Britain sport fish are basically Atlantic salmon and brown trout, all other fish being considered coarse fish including northern pike and perch considered as sport fish in North America. Coarse fish are often various members of the carp family (Cyprinidae) in Britain. Catch and release is the norm and keeping coarse fish is against the rules on many waters. Some fish, particularly carp, have been caught many times and are very suspicious of baits and much sought after. Most coarse fishing is static with a bait remaining for long periods in one place (except in rivers), boats are seldom used, groundbait or chum is used to attract fish to a swim or fishing spot, casts can be over a hundred yards away from the angler, rods are very long and rigs are highly specialised and refined. Lures are not in common use in Britain because most coarse fish are not predators and do not chase them. See also match fishing and pole for further details on British methods of fishing