Definition: In table tennis, a fish is a topspin stroke used at a medium to far distance from the table (typically 8 feet or more). The ball is struck with heavy topspin, and usually high over the net (higher than a normal loop but lower than a typical lob), landing deep on the opponent’s side of the table. A player who uses this shot repeatedly is said to be fishing.
Fishing is used to gives the player time to get back into position when under pressure, while still making it difficult for the opponent to finish the point due to the heavy topspin and depth of the player’s shot. The player who is fishing is hoping for a weak topspin from his opponent, which he can then counterattack.
