AS SEEN IN THE SEPT/OCT 2005 ISSUE

One of the most persistent superstitions among fishermen, and professional anglers in particular, is the belief that having bananas aboard a boat is extremely unlucky. Bananas have been blamed for boating accidents, breakdowns, illness, poor catches, and more.

The curse of the banana extends well beyond the fruit itself. Anything that has an image of a banana or the word banana on it is often banned from the boat. Some even go so far as to ban anything yellow from the boat. One account relates to a captain who was taking a couple out on a fishing charter and was surprised when the woman showed up wearing a bright yellow bikini. He would not allow her to board his vessel until she had returned to her hotel and changed her outfit. She thought it was silly. The captain, however, was dead serious.

So, just what the heck was the genesis of this banana brouhaha? Well, it’s hard to say. One story has it that it began with banana boats transporting the fruit from Central America to the United States. It’s said that some of these boats experienced heavy weather and sea water made its way into the ship holds where the bananas were stored. The bananas allegedly absorbed much of the water making the whole cargo heavier, changing the center of gravity for the ship and causing it to founder and sink.

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 even enjoy a tasty banana daiquiri or the palate pleasing delights of a banana split or bananas foster for fear it will have an impact on the next day’s fishing. Thus, the persecution of the banana continues.

All this banana banter has given the poor banana a horrendous and, I believe, unjustified bad rep. That’s why I’ve started the Banana Anti-Defamation League (BADL). The mission is to restore the image and luster of this luscious fruit and to take action whenever bananas are discriminated against. There’s even a proposal to draft federal legislation called the Banana Fairness Act to insure the equal treatment of all fruit snacks in the boating community.

Thus far, admittedly, the BADL’s membership consists of only one fisherman. Me. However, I have high hopes of changing perceptions amongst fishermen on this topic.

Consider, if you will, some of the little known facts about this elongated fruit. For instance, eating bananas is patriotic. Indeed, at the Centennial Celebration of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, bananas were selected as a featured snack for those attending the event.

Bananas also have prodigious medicinal attributes that should be of interest to every angler, male or female. Eating bananas will help you cope with constipation, hangovers, stress, PMS, ulcers, heartburn and many other maladies. Used as a poultice banana skins can get rid of warts. And, for those of us that spend a lot of time in the mangroves, rubbing insect bites with the inside of a banana peel reduces swelling and irritation.   

As a licensed fishing guide and saltwater tournament angler, I’m putting bananas and banana related items on my boat. So far my ‘luck’ has gotten better, not worse, which I believe lends credence to my premise that the downtrodden banana deserves to be championed.

Take a banana fishing. Help restore the banana to its rightful place in the annals of fruitology and in the on-the-water lunch bag.

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