What's the deal with Incredible Fishing Video?!

January 13, 2006 5:08 PM

I've been getting bombarded by all my friends with the video meme craze of the day, "Incredible Fishing Video."

A google search doesn't reveal much, can anybody tell me what the hell is going on in this video? (backup link)

posted by analogue to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (12 answers total)

IANAFisherman, but maybe they are using some sort of underwater sonic disturbance (either really high pitched or really low pitched) that drives the fish crazy? Interesting video.
posted by billysumday at 5:22 PM on January 13, 2006

From the link:

We're not clear on exactly what it takes to make hundreds of fish jump toward your spotlight and into your boat, but that's exactly what happens here. It sure beats baiting your hook each time.

What makes them think the fish are jumping toward the spotlight? It looks to me like they're just jumping, and some of them happen to land in the boat. What makes them think the guys in the boat are doing anything to cause what's happening?
posted by cribcage at 5:27 PM on January 13, 2006

Here's the website of the gentlemen in question, autoGoogleTranslated. (Rondonia is a Brazilian state.) It looks like a fishing enthusiast/ maybe ecotourism site.

I'm guessing that those are tilapia or freshwater salmon, and they're spawning. It's got nothing to do with the spotlight or the fisherman's presence -- the fish are just sex-crazy. Just my guess.
posted by milquetoast at 5:40 PM on January 13, 2006

Best answer: I've seen it mentioned that they're Silver Asian Carp.

"The true reason why silver carp jump has not been proven yet, but it is believed that when boat motors are above a certain RPM, the noise, vibration and bubbles cause the silver carp to jump out of the water to escape."
posted by borkencode at 5:43 PM on January 13, 2006

What's the deal with the Top Gun-esque soundtrack that comes and goes in the video?
posted by Rhomboid at 5:49 PM on January 13, 2006

The video is in Brazilian. The announcer is showcasing a natural reserve and a protected river (where fishing is not allowed). The video was shot to show the natural marvel of the river's fish and to encourage people to support its preservation. He doesn't explain the behavior, however.
posted by driveler at 5:57 PM on January 13, 2006

That's not Top Gun-esque, that's definitely the Top Gun theme.
posted by emelenjr at 6:03 PM on January 13, 2006

I think you mean Brazilian Portugese.
posted by acoutu at 9:08 PM on January 13, 2006

Anyone else think of Lew Zealand (from the Muppets) when they saw this?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:54 PM on January 13, 2006

I bet the Top Gun Anthem was put in because of flying silver-grayish objects found in the video. Appropriate, I'd say ;-P
posted by vanoakenfold at 11:56 PM on January 13, 2006

Yeah - undoubtedly the Top Gun Anthem, played by Steve Stevens - Billy Idol's guitarist and the smallest man ever to hide behind a Hamer guitar...
posted by benzo8 at 3:24 AM on January 14, 2006

Wow, that's cool. It reminds me of flying fish in Catalina, those things will jump on your boat at night if you are docked and turn any lights on - but flying fish are freaky and smelly and no good to eat.
posted by pazazygeek at 9:25 AM on January 14, 2006