Remember this one - the jinx

[Slab]

Remember this Andy Griffith episode.

How many of you have superstitions about fishing. If you do please share. Who knows. It might just help some of us.

["G"]

only superstition around here is....no bannanas in the boat

[yankee doodler]

I'm in the dark here on the bannana thing. I remember Carl sayin' somthin about that this fall...I'm thinkin he must slipped on a peel and that did it.

[NeonMoon]

I'm in the dark here on the bannana thing. I remember Carl sayin' somthin about that this fall...I'm thinkin he must slipped on a peel and that did it.

[huls1]

only superstition around here is....no bannanas in the boat

what is it about No bananas in the boat??

[Good Stuff]

That's funny.....I'm watching it on TV right now.

[LBM]

Bananas have always been a snack staple for me while on the water.

The first time I had ever heard about it being some kind of superstition to avoid while fishing I think was on the Virginia board a few years ago. I think it was a picture of where horseshoer had tossed a banana in another fishers boat while on the water. I had never heard that before and had wondered if it was a superstition unique to the Virginia area. I am kind of interested in hearing if it is a common superstition from other areas of the country and some whys and wherefores as to how it came about.

[CrappiePappy]

I am kind of interested in hearing if it is a common superstition from other areas of the country and some whys and wherefores as to how it came about.

LBM ... it's a widely held superstition, maybe even "worldwide" and probably comes from several different sources. One being that boats hauling bananas, back in the "olden times", would overload the boat ... and moderately rough seas would sink them. Also, when mariners stopped at islands on their intercontinental voyages, and picked up bananas ... they also picked up spiders, snakes, vermin, and bugs. These pesky stowaways could sicken or kill an unlucky sailor/voyager. They also ripen rather quickly, and emit ethylene gas. The gas is highly flammable, and is also known to cause death when breathed from within confined spaces.

There's also:
the "slipped on a banana peel" injury potential. And the oil (scent) may rub off on ones hands & "spook" the fish. The fastest ships were used to transport the quick to ripen fruit, and the speed of the ships were too fast to catch fish from, while trolling. Sailors becoming ill from eating bananas, or getting "the runs", thereby not being able to fish or crew the ship. The ethylene gas, emitted from the ripening bananas, would also "ripen" other foodstuffs faster, causing them to spoil faster ... thus diminishing the choices of what was available, and removing the vitamin intake of the crew (potentially causing a greater chance of scurvy, and/or other diseases).

As with most superstitions, it's merely a case of mistaking correlation for causation ... and being passed on, generation to generation.

... cp

[shipahoy41]

LBM ... it's a widely held superstition, maybe even "worldwide" and probably comes from several different sources. One being that boats hauling bananas, back in the "olden times", would overload the boat ... and moderately rough seas would sink them. Also, when mariners stopped at islands on their intercontinental voyages, and picked up bananas ... they also picked up spiders, snakes, vermin, and bugs. These pesky stowaways could sicken or kill an unlucky sailor/voyager. They also ripen rather quickly, and emit ethylene gas. The gas is highly flammable, and is also known to cause death when breathed from within confined spaces.

There's also:
the "slipped on a banana peel" injury potential. And the oil (scent) may rub off on ones hands & "spook" the fish. The fastest ships were used to transport the quick to ripen fruit, and the speed of the ships were too fast to catch fish from, while trolling. Sailors becoming ill from eating bananas, or getting "the runs", thereby not being able to fish or crew the ship. The ethylene gas, emitted from the ripening bananas, would also "ripen" other foodstuffs faster, causing them to spoil faster ... thus diminishing the choices of what was available, and removing the vitamin intake of the crew (potentially causing a greater chance of scurvy, and/or other diseases).

As with most superstitions, it's merely a case of mistaking correlation for causation ... and being passed on, generation to generation.

... cp

You are a wealth of knowledge my friend! Wow. Personally, I am not superstitious at all, but I still carry a rabbit's foot in the tackle box. No reason, I just have not found the energy to toss it out. I'm 67 now and have carried it since I was 10 when my dad gave it to me. Now if the mother rabbit comes looking for her right front paw.......then it's on!!!!!!!

[CrappiePappy]

You are a wealth of knowledge my friend! Wow.

Not me, brother .... I Googled all that

Never had a rabbits foot "charm" ... but, I could find a 4 leaf clover just walking along & glancing down. Don't think they ever gave me any luck, either, except maybe for finding more 4 leaf clovers Never was superstitious enough to bother carrying any "good luck" charms.

... cp