Set your sights on these seven extreme places to fish.
Fishing isn't just about casting and catching. Especially for those of us who seek more adventure, more risk, and ultimately more reward, it's more about the experience.
How hard was it to hike through that thick forest to reach the lake? How long did you cast through the rain? How many trips to the same place did you make before you caught the fish you were after?
Extreme anglers thrive on those questions, and know where to find the best places to give them what they want. Like these eight, each of which will qualify as extreme in more ways than one.
Lizard Island, Australia
Lizard Island got its name from the famed British explorer Captain Cook, who noted, "The only land Animals we saw here were Lizards, and these seem'd to be pretty Plenty, which occasioned my naming the Island Lizard Island."
Today, it's a national park and research conservancy, as well as one of the few places in the world where you can fish for the coveted Black Marlin. Every year, fish weighing over 1,000 pounds are caught there. Located right along the massive Great Barrier Reef, you'll find that this island has no shortage of adventures (that is, if you can tear yourself away from the singular fishing opportunities).
It is Australia, and it is almost certainly going to be hot and sunny. That's where a Coolswitch shirt would come in handy, one of Under Armour's latest technologically-advanced pieces of fishing wear.
Eg-Uur River Basin, Mongolia
If you're a really hardcore fly fisherman, you may have already heard of this spot. It's one of the best places to catch Taimen, the largest species of trout.
The basin's guide organizations are true stewards of the waters, keeping the sport fishing pressure stable and fairly low for the last two decades. Don't skip your upper body workouts in the weeks before you go there - you'll need your strength.
Kola Peninsula, Russia
History buffs might recognize this location as a critical military base during the Cold War. In fact, it still has the highest concentration of nuclear reactors on the planet. How's that for extreme?
This peninsula's major port, Murmansk, does not freeze during the winter, and as a result became a major hub for commercial fishing, especially during the Soviet era. Today, it's become an intense sport fishing destination where you can catch some of the world's biggest salmon.
Massachusetts Bay, United States
For those with dreams of landing a shark, there are few better places to go than Massachusetts Bay, not far from Boston. Extremely huge, half-ton Mako sharks are not uncommon there, so it's a great place to catch an enormous, toothy fish without leaving the States.
Just be careful; these sharks do bite.
Florida Everglades
If the heat and humidity isn't enough, there are known to be plenty of hungry alligators waiting in the backwaters of the Everglades and the surrounding area. They're basically sharks with legs, and pose a serious threat to unaware or inexperienced anglers.
In fact, they've been known to board boats as well, and if you're in a typical bass boat going after peacocks, don't think those gators won't hesitate to hop over the edge and onto your deck.
Again, be sure to pack some Coolswitch gear, because constant exposure to the scorching Florida sun is not going to be easy.
Just about anywhere there's a storm
We're not talking about the kind of storm that's unsafe to be in, but we are talking about rain, wind, sleet, and more pounding down on you while the bite is on. Are you going to wimp out and fish some other day when it's calm and sunny?
No, because you relish in extreme conditions, and have the necessary gear to last all day. A storm is one way to turn your local spot into one of the most extreme places to fish, so don't pass on your opportunity just because the sky's gray.
Kodiak Island, Alaska
High altitudes, rough terrain, and oh, bears. They're big too, mainly because they're nourished by the fat and tasty spawning salmon in the summers. If a remote location with an edge of danger is your kind of fishing spot, Kodiak Island is for you.
The biggest thing about extreme fishing is what it says about the angler: this is a person unsatisfied with leaving opportunities on the table. If there are fish to catch, they'll try to catch them. It's as simple as that.
And when the fish they try to catch are located in wild, dangerous places, it's the preparation ahead of time that makes the difference.
Overnight camps, creekside meals, elevation changes, and washed out bridges are all taken on as necessary tasks and challenges, and getting past each one adds that much more satisfaction.
If these seven places don't seem extreme enough, do you have one that beats them out?
NEXT: THESE 2 BASSMASTER CLASSIC ATHLETES WEAR THE NEW UNDER ARMOUR COOLSWITCH
