Hangler

We could play this game all year. In your opinion those skills required by boat fishermen are boating skills. I see them as skills essential to success in that chosen field. I also see your ability to tie rigs that are "comprehensive, quite specific designs the keen surfcaster now takes for granted" as another essential skill. I'm qualified to reach that conclusion simply because I make my own also. However, without the knowledge I have in where to place those rigs, how to approach those locations or even which rig to use my success would falter at every step. May I also point out that those rigs do not determine your fishing prowess, ability or success without the ability and skill required to use them in a manner that enables a successful result. That, my friend is fishing.

I'm going to leave it there and wish you all good fishing.