Fishing Myths make fishing fun!
🎣 Top 10 Fishing Myths and Misconceptions (busted by a crusty old guide)
50 years. Hundreds of trips. Thousands of fish. And a million times I’ve heard these myths float around the dock like an old bobber that won't sink. Let’s set the record straight.
1. “Fish don’t bite in the rain.”
Why it exists:
Anglers associate rain with discomfort—and discomfort with failure. But fish aren’t reading your weather app. Rain oxygenates the water, lowers light penetration, and washes bugs and bait into the current—all of which can increase fish activity.
Truth from the boat:
Some of my best dry-fly days were under a drizzle or snowfall. Breaking the waters surface can bring a sense of immortality to fish. It's like a shield from predators that makes them feel bulletproof. Just wear a good jacket and keep casting.
2. “Full moon ruins the bite.”
Why it exists:
This one’s got people on both sides of the fence. Yes, fish can feed more at night under a full moon, which may lead to slower mornings. But not always. Fish metabolism, weather, water temp, and forage all matter more than lunar glow.
Truth from the boat:
If I had a dollar for every lunker we pulled the morning after a full moon, I’d be writing this from a cabin in Alaska. Fish eat when they’re hungry, not when the moon tells them.
3. “You need expensive gear to catch big fish.”
Why it exists:
Marketing. Period. High-end rods and reels have their perks—like sensitivity and drag quality—but the fish doesn’t care what’s in your hand. This myth spread thanks to tackle shop egos and YouTube flexing.
Truth from the boat:
I’ve seen 10-pound bass landed with $20 combos and rusty hooks. Skill matters more than gear, and confidence beats carbon fiber every time.
4. “Don't forget your lucky hat.”
Why it exists:
Confidence is a strange thing on the water. It can make you fish better, increase hookup rates, and bring more fish into the boat. Forgetting that one lucky item that's always been there for you can make things feel off. It will be in the back of your mind, and that will impact your fishing performance.
Truth from the boat:
Make sure you have a few lucky hats available. Keep one in your truck, keep one in your boat, and keep one on your head. One flies off your head or gets forgotten on the dash, and you'll still have a plan b for your dome.
5. “Fish stop biting during a cold front.”
Why it exists:
Because they often do… for a little while. Cold fronts change barometric pressure fast, which affects fish behavior. But it doesn’t mean they stop eating altogether—it just means you have to adjust.
Truth from the boat:
Fish get tighter to cover and more sluggish. Try slowing your presentation, switch to finesse tactics, and fish deeper. Cold front? Just means you’ve gotta think like a fish.
6. “Fly fishing is only for trout.”
Why it exists:
The fly fishing community loves tradition (and let’s be honest, a bit of exclusivity). But just as wild trout are keen to taking artificial presentations, so are other fish species.
Truth from the boat:
In fact, any fish that swims will eat a well presented fly. Conversely, trout don't ONLY eat flies, but will hammer minnows, mallows, worms, etc. There is rarely anything certain in fishing, and this is just another one of those things.
7. “You can’t catch fish mid-day.”
Why it exists:
Early and late are prime, sure. But mid-day isn’t a death sentence—it just takes a little extra effort. Fish adjust their feeding to shade, depth, and available forage.
Truth from the boat:
Some of my heaviest stringers came between noon and 2 p.m., especially in stained water or when wind created surface chop. Try looking for moving water, creek mouths, deep structure, and food. Mid-day fishin' just separates the dabblers from the dialed-in.
8. “Bananas on the Boat.”
Why it exists:
Bananas on a boat is either laughed at by non-believers, or taken as serious as a heart attack by those who truly believe. Nobody knows for sure where this legend comes from or how it started. Some think because bananas ripen so quickly, vessels transporting them had to pick up the pace to make sure they made it before spoiling. When they wrecked, the bananas would float to the surface, leaving a clear indicator of their involvement in the ships demise.
Truth from the boat:
The name of our boat has bananas in it, and some of our best days on the water have come while having bananas as a snack! There is no way you can convince us that bananas bring bad luck to fishing trips. I'd imagine it's only those having bad luck that need an excuse for it.
9. “Don't you dare say the word!”
Why it exists:
Coincidence is a silly thing. Some believe that just whispering the word, "wind" will make for a rough and choppy day on the water.
Truth from the boat:
Instead of saying the "W" word, try giving it another name. Gusty Macgustface, Mr. W, Willma...anything other than saying the word. If you say it, it will come for you!
10. “Quiet on deck!”
Why it exists:
This gem likely started with dads trying to shut up their kids in the boat. Fish don’t hear airborne sound—they detect vibration and waterborne noise through their lateral line.
Truth from the boat:
Loud thumps, dropped anchors, or motor hums spook fish. Your voice? Likely not as much, but some species are extra sensitive to these vibrations and will react when voices are present. So go ahead and tell that story about the muskie you lost in '93—just don’t stomp on the hull while you’re doing it.
🎣 Final Cast: Myth Busted, Fish Trusted
Fishing is full of mystery—and that’s half the fun. But if you’re going to chase shadows on the water, at least don’t drag bad info behind you like an old stringer of lies. Fish smart, fish often, and always question the “truths” you hear at the bait shop.
Tight lines,
—Old Guide With Too Many Stories
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