Mark Spitzer 
Monster Fishing 
Caught in the Ethics of Angling

An investigation into the bioethics of fish pain and suffering leads to a lifestyle-changing discovery for monster-fisher Mark Spitzer.




Monster Fishing is a bestiary of gar, sharks, ratfish, buffalo, carp, pike, gaspergou, and the human spirit fighting to preserve a planet in distress. After fifty years of fishing waters worldwide, extreme angler Mark Spitzer takes a hard look at his impact on monster fish and their environments. With plenty of humor and a slew of action-packed adventures exploring both familiar and foreign waters during a deadly global pandemic, this deep dive into the neurobiology of fish suffering and stress invites a new way of seeing aquatic species and holding ourselves accountable for the health of our shared planet.

About the author

Reformed monster-fish angler
Mark Spitzer is the author of thirty-plus books, including
Season of the Gar (University of Arkansas Press),
Return of the Gar (University of North Texas Press), and 
Beautifully Grotesque Fish of the American West and
In Search of Monster Fish from University of Nebraska Press. He has appeared on the Animal Planet series
River Monsters and has consulted for National Geographic’s
Monster Fish show. Spitzer is a professor of creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas who specializes in poetry. He is also editor in chief of the cutting-edge poetry series Toad Suck Editions, an imprint of Mad Hat Press. He lives part-time in New York’s Mid-Hudson River Valley where he hikes the mountain trails hunting salamanders and wild mushrooms with his dog. For more info visit www.sptzr.net.