It’s a well known fact that structure and weeds hold bait, which also means they hold fish. However, fishing around rocks, docks, pilings and weeds can sometimes be a truly frustrating experience. It seems like each time you hook-up on a fish they take off for parts unknown; usually thick weed beds, rocks or rocky bottoms, and mangroves. Then without fail the fish either pulls the hook or breaks the line.

What is an angler to do apart from feelings of disparity at loosing a nice fish or sometimes hurling a few choice words, toward uninterested bystanders? They might try a time proven technique that’s worked for many anglers.

Here’s a little technique that’s worked for me and other seasoned anglers for many years. Based on our success it might be worth a try when fishing near bad areas. Especially if fish are continually running into the rocks, mangroves or thick weed beds to break your line and get away. You must understand that whenever a fish is hooked, it’s a natural instinct for anglers immediately begin applying pressure by keeping a tight line. So, if you take away the pressure, what will the fish do? More times than not they stop struggling against the tight line or running toward the nearest cover. Many times I’ve had a big snook head into the mangroves and become tangled in the roots. Quite often I’ll open the bail and let the line go slack for a few moments and then without warning I’ll take up the slack and re-apply pressure. It’s my theory this has a tendency to momentarily disorient the fish giving me enough time to get it headed out of the cover. Many times this has worked this technique has been successful in getting a fish out of cover.

Another thing to be aware of is your drag system and drag settings; making certain the drag is properly adjusted and in good operating condition.

Because “lever” drag reels are much more precise, it’s best to try backing off the drag when using this type of reel. With this system, it’s possible to return to your fighting setting with good accuracy. On the other hand, reels with star drags are not as precise. Changing the drag setting during a fight makes it practically hopeless to return to your original setting.

Once the fish stops running it is time to tighten the drag and gently begin easing up on the fish in an attempt to lead it up and away from anything that could foul your line. If the fish takes off again, back off on the drag and start over again. It’s better to make several attempts than loose a trophy fish. Once you’re confident the fish the fish far enough away from trouble it’s time to get on with the normal action of landing a nice fish. However, in the early stages, remember to be patient.

Although there is no hard documented proof that the banana is bad luck, it is a very viable superstition that many Captains live by. There are those that believe in all sorts of different superstitions, and who is to say they are not founded? However, the banana is one of the most persistent superstitions especially among the fishing community.

 This delicious yellow-skinned fruit has been blamed for many boating accidents, break downs, illness, and poor fish catches. Fishermen have harbored the belief that having bananas aboard is extremely unlucky when trying to catch fish.

For many the banana curse extends well beyond the fruit itself. Strong superstitious captains believe that anything representing a banana either itself, its smell and even its name should be banned from the boat. Some even go so far as to ban anything yellow from the boat, which seems somewhat ridiculous to me.
So, where did it come from? The bad luck theory of bananas is derived from the misfortune of stevedores unloading banana boats fromCentral America. The cargo most often contained biting spiders that not only were painful, but occasionally deadly. Stevedores considered it bad luck to be assigned to unloading a banana boat. This is the truth behind the myth.

Another possible rational for the banana bewilderment might simply be the fish stories exchanged between fishermen. Over the years, tale after tale of bad luck when an angler had bananas on board have been handed down and readily accepted with the bananas becoming the scapegoat.

Whatever the root cause actually might be, as they say, perception is reality and it has led to the infamous banana ban. Indeed, some anglers won’t allow Banana Boat Sun Screen or partake of a tasty banana daiquiri or a banana split for fear it will have an impact on the next day’s fishing. Thus, the banana discrimination continues.

The effect that this or other superstitions have on anglers is real. As almost everyone knows “Karma” is very important. The mere thought of bad luck can cause an imbalance in the captain, crew and anglers. This usually results in a poor catch.

So is bananas really bad luck? Usually but only for those who believe they are bad luck. However, one superstitious member on a fishing boat or vessel can affect an entire boat’s Karma. The banana impact and myth has affected millions of fishermen and highlights the important lesson in theory of fishing.

Superstition clutters the mind, creating imbalance. Clear your mental slate before fishing. The counter to a bad luck superstitious thought is a good luck thought, which adds to proper mental balance. Therefore, maintaining this proper balance while fishing requires an uncluttered mind.

Too many thoughts make being one with the fish more difficult. Remember the primitive brain is the key to harmony. Simplify your thoughts to simplify your fishing.