Fishing Myths and superstitions

[airborne_angler]

Was just thinking of something I heard once. That is when fishing from a boat,never release the fish on the same side of the boat that you landed it. For what reason,I dont know. Any truth to this theory? What about other myths and superstitions you all can think of.

[jaskoh]

I ran into this as a non-boater in my first tournament.  I guess I would like to know about this as well.  

[Raul]

Wind from the east fish bite the least, wind from the west fish bite the best. ( )

Atmospheric pressure affect the swimbladder of fish ( )

Moon phases rule the everyday behavior and activity of fish ( )

You can 't catch fish after a cold front ( )

[RoLo]

My boat only has one side!

Not a problem though. After boating a fish,

I always rotate the boat 180 degrees before the release :

Roger

[Guest ncbass24]

To continue the trend, "A bass on the first cast is the last bass of the day."  Usually, when you catch one on the first cast, It will be a pretty good day of fishing!

[Cajun1977]

To continue the trend, "A bass on the first cast is the last bass of the day." Usually, when you catch one on the first cast, It will be a pretty good day of fishing!

that rule has actually bitten me before more than once

[southbassfisher]

To continue the trend, "A bass on the first cast is the last bass of the day." Usually, when you catch one on the first cast, It will be a pretty good day of fishing!

that rule has actually bitten me before more than once

that has happened to me too

[Big T]

I have heard that Bannanas on a boat are bad luck, I not sure why other than tripping on a peel that some one hase dropped on deck.

[fishingfourfun]

Never have a banana in the boat!

[Marty]

To continue the trend, "A bass on the first cast is the last bass of the day."  Usually, when you catch one on the first cast, It will be a pretty good day of fishing!

I have been burned, on more than one occasion, by the infamous "kiss of death."

[Randall]

Never have a banana in the boat!

Two weeks ago we had three bananas in the boat ( I didn't know until later in the day) and had five bass that went around 40lbs. ;D Here is the biggest one. I heard that the banana thing started with sailors that got sick from something(maybe an insect or spider?) in the bananas and died as the bananas were shipped across the oceans.

[burleytog]

I don't know about common myths, but I have a few pre-tournament superstitions.

Always take 2 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches (only eat one) with me on the boat.  Always eat fish before the tournament.

Before my last tourney prefish, I ate a piece of LJS fish.  Caught a few that night.  Ate a piece of salmon the next day, caught the hell out of them.

[Randall]

Biggest myth in bass fishing is that a pressure change and bluebird skys force the fish deeper.

[Randall]

Second biggest myth in bass fishing is that if you leave a hook in bass it will rust out and the fish will be fine.

[Guest avid]

I don't many classic superstitions, but I have one of my own.

Regardless of conditions, I never change the lure that is on the rod without giving at least one more cast.

[Bassn Blvd]

Wind from the east fish bite the least, wind from the west fish bite the best.  

I think it goes other way around.   Wind out of the west, stay home and rest.  For saltwater on the Atlantic anyway.

Never wear a white shirt while fishing.

Don"t wear perfume or cologne.

If they aren't biting then try spitting on your bait.

Don't tell fish stories on Sunday.

[skillet]

   Fishing with my parents when I was young, never failed that if we passed a herd of cows on the way my Momma would comment on whether they were standing or laying down. If standing we were supposed to catch fish, if not no fish. Have no idea how the cows knew ;D...

                                      As Ever,

                                       skillet

[Mattlures]

Randal nails it again. If at all posible remove the hook. Dont bite your line and leave the hook in. If you learn how its not that hard to unhook a gut hooked fish.

Out here in sandiego the saltwater boats wont let you on board if you have a bannana. They are very superstisious.

I have one to add to Randals list

#3 biggest myth is the best color at night is black. people who say that are just passing on bad info and havent tried the other colors.

[Jeff C.]

Wow,

I always ( well all most always ) take bananas fishing,, very easy  & good snack on the boat..

---------

heres a couple..

Red Sky @ Nite.........

Red Sky in Morning .......

[Red]

when i lived in Minnesota, i heard one that muskies/pike would loose all their teeth, they would fall out at a certain time of year(cant remember when)and thats why they werent biting, cuz they had sore mouths.....but after doing some reading, this is NOT TRUE...its just tough fishing this time of year

Cliff

[Panamoka_Bassin]

Wind from the east fish bite the least, wind from the west fish bite the best.

I think it goes other way around. Wind out of the west, stay home and rest. For saltwater on the Atlantic anyway.

Take it from someone who spent his whole life fishing the Atlantic south of Long Island:  West is best, East is least.

[32251]

How about the one that says if your out fishing and you get bit by a snapping turtle, he won't let go until it thunders. That always bothered me when I was a little kid and it was a sunny day.

[RoLo]

I think it goes other way around. Wind out of the west, stay home and rest. For saltwater on the Atlantic anyway.

I might buy that, if you lived on the Pacific coast, but you said "on the Atlantic".

Either you never made it out of the bay, or you've got a fetish for waves wearing White Hats ;D

Roger

[Olebiker]

Never sit next to your girlfriend a a BASS tournament weigh-in. Your wife might just surprise you and watch the weigh-in on television.

Oh, wait a minute. That one's not a myth.

[Taliesin]

Fishing with my parents when I was young, never failed that if we passed a herd of cows on the way my Momma would comment on whether they were standing or laying down. If standing we were supposed to catch fish, if not no fish. Have no idea how the cows knew ;D...

                                    As Ever,

                                    skillet

There is some truth to this one. The same factors that affect fish also affect all other animals (yes, humans too). Unless the cows are fed at specific times of the day, if they are feeding then the fish usually are too.

Those of you who have pets might have noticed this. If your pets are acting feisty, go fishing. Those fish out there are acting feisty too.

I have seen this too many times when my room mates pets (two dogs and two cats) are "acting out". They go nuts, I have to get away from them 'cause they are irritating me too much, I go fishing, catch more fish than usual.

If I feel full of energy and don't know why, I can usually catch more fish.

More myths:

Never release the first fish, or it will be your last. (very old, and before catch and release and before many states had regulations on sizes)

Women can not clean fish (they can, but it's a conspiracy. If they clean fish once, they know they will have to clean them for the rest of their lives)