Anglers have been exposed to a long list of nautical superstitions for centuries. It may seem odd to some but personally, I still believe in a few of them, and I’d like to think my beliefs were for good reasons. I even took the time to check on some of them. So, if only for a bit of fun, let’s break down some of these fishing superstitions most anglers observe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Women on board<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWomen were historically banned from sailing or boarding boats. There are a few different explanations to the bad luck that this brings. The variations can be traced back to the early days of the merchant navy, when it was thought that having women on board would anger the gods and cause a rough crossing. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Back when I was a mate on a large charter boat, my skipper’s number one rule was, “No women on board whilst refuelling.” This one makes sense to me as some crew were easily distracted by passing hostesses, resulting in spilled fuel. When you think of the pioneering days of sailing where there was zero equality, the only women onboard the boat would have been married to a crew member or a passenger. This would have caused a lot of jealousy within the crew as a lot of these voyages went for months or even years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
There’s some silver lining though as in the ancient times, naked women are believed to calm the sea. Hence, this is why you’ll find so many carved out figureheads of bare breasted women showing the way back in the day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Bananas on the boat <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDespite its long history of being a “superstition”, I had my own banana experience. Another guide hid a banana behind the toilet on my boat one day. Lo and behold! We actually had, what could easily be, the unluckiest day of fishing I have ever encountered. We ended up landing only one dogtooth tuna out of 45 hook-ups. When I came back in, the guide showed me the banana, and he proceeded to go for a bit of a “swim.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Getting back to the origin of this unbelievable superstition, I actually found a few stories. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Here are some of them:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Frightening stowaways<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBack when sailing boats were trading throughout the world, it became known that spiders and some other critters would hide in the bunches of bananas, which never ended well for the crews of those boats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Banana-Spider\"](\"https:\/\/www.oceanbluefishing.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Article-Content-Image-1280-x-960-43-Medium-Quality-51-1024x768.jpg\")
Ecuadorian Amazonas – Banana Spider. Photo by <\/em>A.Davey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDangerous cargo<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDuring the 1700’s, trading between Spain and the Caribbean was quite popular. However, bananas are already believed to be so unlucky that more often than not sailors would refuse to sail on a ship transporting bananas. Needless to say, this belief originated at the height of the ancient trading era, when it was thought Spanish merchant vessels carrying bananas would disappear at sea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Chinese-Banana-Growers\"](\"https:\/\/www.oceanbluefishing.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Article-Content-Image-1280-x-960-43-Medium-Quality-52-1024x768.jpg\")
Chinese banana growers loading produce onto the ‘Carroo’ from punts in the Johnstone River, Innisfail, 1902. Photo by <\/em>Queensland State Archives is marked with CC PDM 1.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBananas don’t catch fish<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe old stories would say that it was because the fishermen had a hard time trolling for fish as they had to move quickly to deliver the bananas before they spoil. Modern explanations, on the other hand, attributed it to the sweet smell and stickiness left on your hands then transferred to the bait. Both zinc and sunscreen are said to have the same effect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
RELATED:<\/strong> Top Tips to Improve Your Catch Rate on your Next Fishing Adventure<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSpoiled bananas are deadly<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere’s a science behind this one. Apparently, during the early trading days, boat captains would refuse to transport bananas as it gives off ethylene gas that ripens other fruits and vegetables too quickly. The rotting fruits then releases methane below deck, effectively killing the unsuspecting sailors venturing into the cargo holds for a cheeky snack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
“…A Shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The belief has been around for so long that in 2001, Rick Etzel, the captain of The Breakaway<\/span><\/a>, was quoted saying: \u201cFishermen believe bananas are bad luck. Something about a shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board. Maybe it was fictitious, but some people take the banana thing very seriously. A few years back, a guy on one of my charters showed up wearing a Banana Republic T-shirt. Another guy in the group went up to him with a knife and slashed the logo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Whistling on board <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI have worked with many skippers who completely lose their mind when they hear someone whistling on a boat. If you’re actually wondering why, well, it is believed that whistling on board a boat challenges the wind itself, bringing storms and bad weather.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It isn’t the only story though. Another tale is that it has been banned on boats ever since the mutiny on HMS Bounty (a.k.a. HM Armed Vessel Bounty). Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate, is believed to have used a whistle as the signal to seize command from the Bounty’s captain, William Bligh, before it was later burned on Pitcairn Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Fishing-Superstition-Whistling-on-Boat-Story\"](\"https:\/\/www.oceanbluefishing.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/13192781615_e7059c09b5_b.jpeg\")
Fletcher Christian, master’s mate at HMS Bounty (Mutiny on the Bounty). Photo by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Despite its long history of being a “superstition”, I had my own banana experience. Another guide hid a banana behind the toilet on my boat one day. Lo and behold! We actually had, what could easily be, the unluckiest day of fishing I have ever encountered. We ended up landing only one dogtooth tuna out of 45 hook-ups. When I came back in, the guide showed me the banana, and he proceeded to go for a bit of a “swim.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Getting back to the origin of this unbelievable superstition, I actually found a few stories. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Here are some of them:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Frightening stowaways<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBack when sailing boats were trading throughout the world, it became known that spiders and some other critters would hide in the bunches of bananas, which never ended well for the crews of those boats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ecuadorian Amazonas – Banana Spider. Photo by <\/em>A.Davey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDangerous cargo<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDuring the 1700’s, trading between Spain and the Caribbean was quite popular. However, bananas are already believed to be so unlucky that more often than not sailors would refuse to sail on a ship transporting bananas. Needless to say, this belief originated at the height of the ancient trading era, when it was thought Spanish merchant vessels carrying bananas would disappear at sea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Chinese banana growers loading produce onto the ‘Carroo’ from punts in the Johnstone River, Innisfail, 1902. Photo by <\/em>Queensland State Archives is marked with CC PDM 1.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBananas don’t catch fish<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe old stories would say that it was because the fishermen had a hard time trolling for fish as they had to move quickly to deliver the bananas before they spoil. Modern explanations, on the other hand, attributed it to the sweet smell and stickiness left on your hands then transferred to the bait. Both zinc and sunscreen are said to have the same effect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
RELATED:<\/strong> Top Tips to Improve Your Catch Rate on your Next Fishing Adventure<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSpoiled bananas are deadly<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere’s a science behind this one. Apparently, during the early trading days, boat captains would refuse to transport bananas as it gives off ethylene gas that ripens other fruits and vegetables too quickly. The rotting fruits then releases methane below deck, effectively killing the unsuspecting sailors venturing into the cargo holds for a cheeky snack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
“…A Shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The belief has been around for so long that in 2001, Rick Etzel, the captain of The Breakaway<\/span><\/a>, was quoted saying: \u201cFishermen believe bananas are bad luck. Something about a shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board. Maybe it was fictitious, but some people take the banana thing very seriously. A few years back, a guy on one of my charters showed up wearing a Banana Republic T-shirt. Another guy in the group went up to him with a knife and slashed the logo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Whistling on board <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI have worked with many skippers who completely lose their mind when they hear someone whistling on a boat. If you’re actually wondering why, well, it is believed that whistling on board a boat challenges the wind itself, bringing storms and bad weather.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It isn’t the only story though. Another tale is that it has been banned on boats ever since the mutiny on HMS Bounty (a.k.a. HM Armed Vessel Bounty). Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate, is believed to have used a whistle as the signal to seize command from the Bounty’s captain, William Bligh, before it was later burned on Pitcairn Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Fletcher Christian, master’s mate at HMS Bounty (Mutiny on the Bounty). Photo by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dangerous cargo<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDuring the 1700’s, trading between Spain and the Caribbean was quite popular. However, bananas are already believed to be so unlucky that more often than not sailors would refuse to sail on a ship transporting bananas. Needless to say, this belief originated at the height of the ancient trading era, when it was thought Spanish merchant vessels carrying bananas would disappear at sea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Chinese banana growers loading produce onto the ‘Carroo’ from punts in the Johnstone River, Innisfail, 1902. Photo by <\/em>Queensland State Archives is marked with CC PDM 1.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBananas don’t catch fish<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe old stories would say that it was because the fishermen had a hard time trolling for fish as they had to move quickly to deliver the bananas before they spoil. Modern explanations, on the other hand, attributed it to the sweet smell and stickiness left on your hands then transferred to the bait. Both zinc and sunscreen are said to have the same effect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
RELATED:<\/strong> Top Tips to Improve Your Catch Rate on your Next Fishing Adventure<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSpoiled bananas are deadly<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere’s a science behind this one. Apparently, during the early trading days, boat captains would refuse to transport bananas as it gives off ethylene gas that ripens other fruits and vegetables too quickly. The rotting fruits then releases methane below deck, effectively killing the unsuspecting sailors venturing into the cargo holds for a cheeky snack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
“…A Shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The belief has been around for so long that in 2001, Rick Etzel, the captain of The Breakaway<\/span><\/a>, was quoted saying: \u201cFishermen believe bananas are bad luck. Something about a shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board. Maybe it was fictitious, but some people take the banana thing very seriously. A few years back, a guy on one of my charters showed up wearing a Banana Republic T-shirt. Another guy in the group went up to him with a knife and slashed the logo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Whistling on board <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI have worked with many skippers who completely lose their mind when they hear someone whistling on a boat. If you’re actually wondering why, well, it is believed that whistling on board a boat challenges the wind itself, bringing storms and bad weather.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It isn’t the only story though. Another tale is that it has been banned on boats ever since the mutiny on HMS Bounty (a.k.a. HM Armed Vessel Bounty). Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate, is believed to have used a whistle as the signal to seize command from the Bounty’s captain, William Bligh, before it was later burned on Pitcairn Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Fletcher Christian, master’s mate at HMS Bounty (Mutiny on the Bounty). Photo by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Bananas don’t catch fish<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe old stories would say that it was because the fishermen had a hard time trolling for fish as they had to move quickly to deliver the bananas before they spoil. Modern explanations, on the other hand, attributed it to the sweet smell and stickiness left on your hands then transferred to the bait. Both zinc and sunscreen are said to have the same effect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
RELATED:<\/strong> Top Tips to Improve Your Catch Rate on your Next Fishing Adventure<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSpoiled bananas are deadly<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere’s a science behind this one. Apparently, during the early trading days, boat captains would refuse to transport bananas as it gives off ethylene gas that ripens other fruits and vegetables too quickly. The rotting fruits then releases methane below deck, effectively killing the unsuspecting sailors venturing into the cargo holds for a cheeky snack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
“…A Shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The belief has been around for so long that in 2001, Rick Etzel, the captain of The Breakaway<\/span><\/a>, was quoted saying: \u201cFishermen believe bananas are bad luck. Something about a shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board. Maybe it was fictitious, but some people take the banana thing very seriously. A few years back, a guy on one of my charters showed up wearing a Banana Republic T-shirt. Another guy in the group went up to him with a knife and slashed the logo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Whistling on board <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI have worked with many skippers who completely lose their mind when they hear someone whistling on a boat. If you’re actually wondering why, well, it is believed that whistling on board a boat challenges the wind itself, bringing storms and bad weather.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It isn’t the only story though. Another tale is that it has been banned on boats ever since the mutiny on HMS Bounty (a.k.a. HM Armed Vessel Bounty). Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate, is believed to have used a whistle as the signal to seize command from the Bounty’s captain, William Bligh, before it was later burned on Pitcairn Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Fletcher Christian, master’s mate at HMS Bounty (Mutiny on the Bounty). Photo by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Spoiled bananas are deadly<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere’s a science behind this one. Apparently, during the early trading days, boat captains would refuse to transport bananas as it gives off ethylene gas that ripens other fruits and vegetables too quickly. The rotting fruits then releases methane below deck, effectively killing the unsuspecting sailors venturing into the cargo holds for a cheeky snack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
“…A Shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The belief has been around for so long that in 2001, Rick Etzel, the captain of The Breakaway<\/span><\/a>, was quoted saying: \u201cFishermen believe bananas are bad luck. Something about a shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board. Maybe it was fictitious, but some people take the banana thing very seriously. A few years back, a guy on one of my charters showed up wearing a Banana Republic T-shirt. Another guy in the group went up to him with a knife and slashed the logo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Whistling on board <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nI have worked with many skippers who completely lose their mind when they hear someone whistling on a boat. If you’re actually wondering why, well, it is believed that whistling on board a boat challenges the wind itself, bringing storms and bad weather.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It isn’t the only story though. Another tale is that it has been banned on boats ever since the mutiny on HMS Bounty (a.k.a. HM Armed Vessel Bounty). Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate, is believed to have used a whistle as the signal to seize command from the Bounty’s captain, William Bligh, before it was later burned on Pitcairn Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Fletcher Christian, master’s mate at HMS Bounty (Mutiny on the Bounty). Photo by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
“…A Shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The belief has been around for so long that in 2001, Rick Etzel, the captain of The Breakaway<\/span><\/a>, was quoted saying: \u201cFishermen believe bananas are bad luck. Something about a shipload of bananas that carried some weird bacteria killed everyone on board. Maybe it was fictitious, but some people take the banana thing very seriously. A few years back, a guy on one of my charters showed up wearing a Banana Republic T-shirt. Another guy in the group went up to him with a knife and slashed the logo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I have worked with many skippers who completely lose their mind when they hear someone whistling on a boat. If you’re actually wondering why, well, it is believed that whistling on board a boat challenges the wind itself, bringing storms and bad weather.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It isn’t the only story though. Another tale is that it has been banned on boats ever since the mutiny on HMS Bounty (a.k.a. HM Armed Vessel Bounty). Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate, is believed to have used a whistle as the signal to seize command from the Bounty’s captain, William Bligh, before it was later burned on Pitcairn Island.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Whistling on board <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Albatross-at-Sea\"](\"https:\/\/www.oceanbluefishing.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Article-Content-Image-1280-x-960-43-Medium-Quality-53-1024x768.jpg\")