The Anglers of Arz

"The Anglers of Arz" by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction story set on the planet Arz, where the crew of the "Marco Four," including navigator Arthur Farrell, investigates the bizarre fishing customs of the pinkish, two-legged Arzians. The Arzians engage in what appears to be suicidal fishing expeditions on a coral islet, becoming prey for giant winged lizards. The crew's investigation uncovers a sunken city and the truth that the Arzians are essentially livestock, part of a twisted game where they serve as bait for the planet's aquatic predators, and leading the Earthmen to question their role in this strange world.