Bananas and fishing

[Randygh]

Two weeks ago I attended a fishing seminar here in Wenatchee. Three local guides spoke on fishing for silvers and triploids on Rufus Woods lake above Chief Joseph dam and lake trout in Lake Chelan. All three guides were adamant that their clients do not handle/eat bananas and then rig their lines. Have any fishing gurus (Spud) heard of this?

Also, all three guides liked to apply some sort of stinkum to the bait or lures. They didn't have any preferences as far as stinkum, they said all it does is mask our human skin oil scent.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I grew up on the water on the east coast and for no reason other than bad luck, we NEVER carried bananas on board when we were going fishing. Maybe it has some truth to the wives tale of having bananas on board? No matter the reason, I'll stick to the no Bananas on board. Would be nice to know it is based on science however.

Fish scent seems to do a good job of masking human scent. Probably one reason why WD40 works so well? I have used the sticky/stinky stuff before and not sure if it works or not. Makes me think I have an advantage so I'll continue that too.

[SomeSailor]

The trick used to to spray your running gear down with WD-40, but its not legal (probably the oil slick problem more than anything else).

My neighbor wipes all his flashers and spoons down with WD-40 before using and he does really well. I started doing the same myself.

[Go Aweigh2452]

WD-40, but its not legal

I heard the same thing but find that hard to believe. The basis of the product is fish oil.

I Also heard I could get fined keeping it on board which I also find ridiculous. Afterall, if that were the case, shouldn't we get fined carrying motor oil, antifreeze, cooking oil, etc on our boats???

[Pegasis]

I've heard this taleto not carry bananas on a boat while fishing, I've also heard JD at Outdoor Emporium caught a halibut a few years ago using a banana peel for a lure.

[SomeSailor]

I heard the same thing but find that hard to believe. The basis of the product is fish oil.

Actually...

Main ingredients, from the material safety sheet are:

* 50% Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits, also commonly known as dry cleaning solvent),
* 25% Liquified petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant, carbon dioxide is used now to reduce considerable flammability),
* 15+% Mineral oil (light lubricating oil), and
* 10-% Inert ingredients

I have heard it's great for fishin' :)

[SPUD]

They are banned on the FISHTALE . I think it is more superstition than anything. There are many tales on why they are bad juju......I just do not take the risk !

Spud