Japanese Title: Azumao! Fishing Battle!!
Original Airdate: October 12th, 2000
US Airdate: September 29th, 2001
As our heroes take a break at a shady stream, Misty's Poliwhirl is attacked by a Poliwrath! Poliwrath's trainer pokes fun at Misty's Pokémon and won't stick around to battle when she challenges him to a match. As our heroes move on, they find out the annual Seaking catching competition is about to begin. Overhearing the trainer she encountered earlier is a shoo-in for the win, Misty and her Poliwhirl enter the competition determined to triumph over the testy trainer.
Tropes
- Call-Back: Ash notes the competition is similar to the bug Pokémon catching competition in "The Bug Stops Here".
- Enemy Mine: Both Poliwhirl and Poliwrath combine their water guns to stop Team Rocket.
- Fishing Episode: The episode's premise is the Seaking catching competition.
- Jerkass: Andreas. His Establishing Character Moment is belittling Misty and her pokemon for being weak and won't shut up about it throughout the episode. Fortunately, he gets a slice of Humble Pie when she actually defeats him.
- Humble Pie: Having Poliwrath beaten by its lower evolved counterpart seems to have this effect on Andreas, with him declaring Misty a worthy opponent.
- Super-Deformed: Jessie also has a fishing lure that's a chibi version of herself, just like Misty's.
- Worthy Opponent: Andreas ultimately reaches this conclusion for Misty and Poliwhirl after Poliwrath is beaten.
