{"id":19738,"date":"2020-10-14T11:41:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T09:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=19738"},"modified":"2026-02-11T13:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T13:05:37","slug":"fishing-superstitions-bananas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-superstitions-bananas\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing Superstitions From Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 9<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Fishermen are a superstitious bunch. From ancient sailors to modern-day anglers, lucky charms and bad omens have always been important on fishing trips. Recently, we asked our readers to share their fishing superstitions from around the world. There are some well-established beliefs in the list, but others were completely new to us.<\/p>

No Bananas On Board<\/h2>
\"A
The banana goes overboard or you do!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

We’ll kick things off with a classic. Half the responses we got were about bananas and boats. More specifically, how the two should never, ever mix. This is pretty much given on fishing charters<\/a>, where most captains don’t allow bananas on board. Some won’t even stand for the color yellow!<\/p>

You can’t spend much time on the water without encountering your own “banana story.” For us, it was a trip to Fujairah<\/a>, where one yellow fruit was the difference between eight hours of slack lines and a boat full of Mahi Mahi. Sadly, there’s no way to counter the curse, and we just had to try again the next day.<\/p>

Where did this myth come from? There are several theories. Some say that venomous spiders used to hide among the fruit. According to others, ships had to travel at speed to stop the cargo from spoiling, so the crew couldn’t fish along the way. If you ask us, the answer’s simple: boats with bananas onboard just don’t catch fish!<\/p>

No Black Briefcases, Either!<\/h2>
\"A<\/figure>

Bananas may be the most common curse on a fishing trip, but they’re not the only thing you should leave on the dock. According to Nanci Morris Lyon<\/a> from Alaska’s Bristol Bay, one of the worst things to bring aboard is a briefcase.<\/p>

\n

For us, it’s bananas in the boat. The other one that isn’t as prominent is a black suitcase or briefcase. Means someone’s not coming home. We don’t like seeing anyone with either of those items crawl on board. To my knowledge, both superstitions are prevalent in Bristol Bay and some folks live in fear of both of them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

We get briefcases being bad luck. After all, who wants to do business on a fishing trip. But suitcases? Apparently, the idea comes from the color’s association with death. Big black baggage can easily conjure up images of body bags. Luckily, we’re more of a polka dot and Hawaiian print kind of crowd.<\/p>

Don’t Step Over Rods<\/h2>
\"A<\/figure>

Anglers are pretty protective of their tackle. That’s understandable – fishing gear can cost a lot of money. Nothing makes your teeth grind like the sound of rods banging on the boat rail. However, for David Kosofsky<\/a>, even moving around the rods can ruin a day’s fishing.<\/p>

\n

Here in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Missouri, a common belief amongst old-timers was that if you step over a fishing pole or line, whether it be in the water or on the ground, you will not catch any more fish that day, period.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

David says that this isn’t as common anymore but it used to be widely recognized as fact. Our best guess is that it started as plain bad manners and evolved into a fable from there. Besides, it’s not wise to plant your feet either side of a line when a 100 lb Blue Cat could pull it tight at any minute!<\/p>

Don’t Flip the Fish<\/h2>
\"A<\/figure>

In some parts of the world, fishing superstitions extend far beyond the actual day of the trip. Even the way you eat your catch can affect your chances the next time you’re out. David Truong<\/a> shared one such story from Vietnam:<\/p>

\n

In Vietnamese culture, it’s considered poor form to flip a fish over to get to the meat on its underside. It’s still a custom that you will see at any of the roadside restaurants in the southern part of Vietnam – even among those who aren’t fishermen.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

David has heard a couple of explanations for this belief. One is that flipping the fish is like flipping a boat, and will bring bad luck to your vessel as a result. Another theory is that turning your catch over is disrespectful, so the fish may return and flip your boat in retaliation.<\/p>