Just on the bank today and was thinking what makes me confident as an angler?
Are my little tweaks slightly OCD or are they just superstitions.
For example, I seem to feel confident when both of my reel handles / spools are perfectly aligned.
Admittedly makes 0 difference to my hook bait as it's just a querk!
Any funny ones you'd like to share?
Are my little tweaks slightly OCD or are they just superstitions.
For example, I seem to feel confident when both of my reel handles / spools are perfectly aligned.
Admittedly makes 0 difference to my hook bait as it's just a querk!
Any funny ones you'd like to share?
In reply to Post #1
Pay the lake
Pay the lake
In reply to Post #2
I have a little toy that my fiancé's daughters gave me a while ago it goes with me all time,sits on my Bobby table like to think it brings me luck occasionally
I have a little toy that my fiancé's daughters gave me a while ago it goes with me all time,sits on my Bobby table like to think it brings me luck occasionally
In reply to Post #1
Always take a hip flask to toast the first capture from a new venue.
Always take a hip flask to toast the first capture from a new venue.
In reply to Post #1
My main affliction. Landing net, motive must be facing upwards for me or it's a definite blank
There has to be something to blame now and again
My main affliction. Landing net, motive must be facing upwards for me or it's a definite blank
There has to be something to blame now and again
Always set up my left hand Rod first
And refuse to get my hair cut until I've landed a UK 60...
And refuse to get my hair cut until I've landed a UK 60...
In reply to Post #1
Bobbins same height, drives me mad 😡 whish I could ignore them
Bobbins same height, drives me mad 😡 whish I could ignore them
In reply to Post #6
Crackers
Crackers
In reply to Post #7
Same as, can't be looking at uneven bobbins really annoys me.
Same as, can't be looking at uneven bobbins really annoys me.
In reply to Post #1
Bait in numbers of 7, wash my hands in silt or weed in the edge before I get my rods rigged, never touch a fish that's not my capture if it's a target of mine. The ultimate curse 🤷🏻♂️
Bait in numbers of 7, wash my hands in silt or weed in the edge before I get my rods rigged, never touch a fish that's not my capture if it's a target of mine. The ultimate curse 🤷🏻♂️
Bobbins and reel handles got to be level. Aint going to catch with them out of level! 😂 And if i do manage to catch, pay the lake.
In reply to Post #11
soft toy leprichaun on middle butrest
soft toy leprichaun on middle butrest
Make sure my camo mankini is straight for catch pics and no testicles on show
Red delkim always on the right, green on the left.
In reply to Post #13
One hanging out of each side is a good, balanced look, especially if they are full up.
One hanging out of each side is a good, balanced look, especially if they are full up.
I used to have a superstion to bring me good luck that I would call in at a shop enroute and buy two Cadburies Dreams and one Yorkie bar and had to eat them before I got to the pond and setup. Yorkie first and then the two dreams. It used to be a tragedy if the shop was out of stock or did not sell them. I was glad when I got out of that superstion as it was a pain having to stop to shop or find a shop that sold them.
The superstition I always have had for about the past 50 years is looking for lucky stones and put them in my pocket or tackle bag. Some I keep for years and some get thrown out into the lake eventually if I deem they are not lucky. Beach fishing is worse, the beach is littered in lucky rocks and I even once found a battered twisted silver desert spoon that looked lucky that I carried for years and still have somewhere.
I also have a habit of putting anything I find in my swim or surrounding area that I think could be lucky under my rod butts, bits of plastic, string, glass, twigs, rocks, etc. When I do a month sessions the little heap that grows in size can look like a waste disposal site.
The superstition I always have had for about the past 50 years is looking for lucky stones and put them in my pocket or tackle bag. Some I keep for years and some get thrown out into the lake eventually if I deem they are not lucky. Beach fishing is worse, the beach is littered in lucky rocks and I even once found a battered twisted silver desert spoon that looked lucky that I carried for years and still have somewhere.
I also have a habit of putting anything I find in my swim or surrounding area that I think could be lucky under my rod butts, bits of plastic, string, glass, twigs, rocks, etc. When I do a month sessions the little heap that grows in size can look like a waste disposal site.
a silly stuffed meerkat my fiancé bought be from the safari park, i wouldn't be able to fish without it.
New gear, I always got told your blank with new rods/ reels the first session you get them, always seems to happen to me. Hoping to break that curse In a couple weeks tho seeing I got new of both
In reply to Post #1
If a robin lands on one of my father in laws rods, he instantly says that he wont catch a thing on that rod. To be honest, I've seen him have some great sessions, including where a robin has done this, and it does always seem to be the other rods! I can see why he feels that way
If a robin lands on one of my father in laws rods, he instantly says that he wont catch a thing on that rod. To be honest, I've seen him have some great sessions, including where a robin has done this, and it does always seem to be the other rods! I can see why he feels that way
In reply to Post #1
1 - Spotting a single Magpie (although I thought I'd broken this as I caught my PB in Sept after seeing a single magpie in the general area the fish was caught) Still spit and salute them if they're on their own . . .f**k*rs!
2 - Landing Net. First thing to assemble before all items of tackle / last thing to put away
3 - Lucky Rod is always cast first and either on RHS or LHS never in the middle and to the assumed banker spot. Has a small mark on the butt - its lucky because I caught my PB on it and also lost it earlier in the season (got pulled in) but was retrieved with a fish on the end. Subsequent rods cast in sequence, never cast the middle rod last when initially setting up . . .
4 - Bait - Always in multiples of 7 . . .good thing I remember my 7x table. This applies to freebies and baits put in krusher / kutter (luckily enough 7x is the max number of baits both size of kutter accomodates) Luckily I don't bait heavily and in one go with boilies in general as I would have to count every one . . .
5 - Rods / indicators / vertical roller wheel position / spool extension / reel handles all level (goes without saying)
6 - Bedchair ALWAYS with head on LHS when looking out of bivvy . . .could not imagine it the other way around . . ever
7 - New gear is ALWAYS cursed - until you catch on it / with it . . .fact
Also used to 'pay the lake' but don't carry much cash these days . . .no way I am lobbing my credit card in . . .also used to wear latex gloves to bait up rigs with when I smoked . . .vaping has resolved this . . .
Considering a set of custom builds at the mo and have been tinkering with the idea of putting my 3x kids names on, a different one on each rod so they are all named . . .. however now I'm thinking this will possibly create favouritism and all sorts of OCD / parental issues . . .so maybe not . .!
Good luck!
1 - Spotting a single Magpie (although I thought I'd broken this as I caught my PB in Sept after seeing a single magpie in the general area the fish was caught) Still spit and salute them if they're on their own . . .f**k*rs!
2 - Landing Net. First thing to assemble before all items of tackle / last thing to put away
3 - Lucky Rod is always cast first and either on RHS or LHS never in the middle and to the assumed banker spot. Has a small mark on the butt - its lucky because I caught my PB on it and also lost it earlier in the season (got pulled in) but was retrieved with a fish on the end. Subsequent rods cast in sequence, never cast the middle rod last when initially setting up . . .
4 - Bait - Always in multiples of 7 . . .good thing I remember my 7x table. This applies to freebies and baits put in krusher / kutter (luckily enough 7x is the max number of baits both size of kutter accomodates) Luckily I don't bait heavily and in one go with boilies in general as I would have to count every one . . .
5 - Rods / indicators / vertical roller wheel position / spool extension / reel handles all level (goes without saying)
6 - Bedchair ALWAYS with head on LHS when looking out of bivvy . . .could not imagine it the other way around . . ever
7 - New gear is ALWAYS cursed - until you catch on it / with it . . .fact
Also used to 'pay the lake' but don't carry much cash these days . . .no way I am lobbing my credit card in . . .also used to wear latex gloves to bait up rigs with when I smoked . . .vaping has resolved this . . .
Considering a set of custom builds at the mo and have been tinkering with the idea of putting my 3x kids names on, a different one on each rod so they are all named . . .. however now I'm thinking this will possibly create favouritism and all sorts of OCD / parental issues . . .so maybe not . .!
Good luck!
In reply to Post #20
Considering a set of custom builds at the mo and have been tinkering with the idea of putting my 3x kids names on
Nice idea that mate, and quite unique I guess
Considering a set of custom builds at the mo and have been tinkering with the idea of putting my 3x kids names on
Nice idea that mate, and quite unique I guess
In reply to Post #15
Will try that
Will try that
I have to have LPB,facing upwards on my landing net,its a butt cap made from stainless steel,means location ,presentation...and bait..
My Solar banksticks have to have the coin slotted thumb screw positioned to the right,all four banksticks..
Trangia,always to the right of my bedchair..
I do something called 5 n 5...lol,so its five bait stringer,and five freebies, and if using hemp n corn in the margins,five handfuls, why five,I have no idea.
On a new water,setting the unhooking mat out of the bag,big..no,no,gaureenteed to fail..if I set it up...!!
If I love a lake,as I'm leaving,I thank it ,a promise to return.
On a trip,everything goes out,and is put back the same way..tackle I mean
My Solar banksticks have to have the coin slotted thumb screw positioned to the right,all four banksticks..
Trangia,always to the right of my bedchair..
I do something called 5 n 5...lol,so its five bait stringer,and five freebies, and if using hemp n corn in the margins,five handfuls, why five,I have no idea.
On a new water,setting the unhooking mat out of the bag,big..no,no,gaureenteed to fail..if I set it up...!!
If I love a lake,as I'm leaving,I thank it ,a promise to return.
On a trip,everything goes out,and is put back the same way..tackle I mean
Bivvy/Shelter up first.
In reply to Post #24
. . .you'll be making omlettes next!
. . .you'll be making omlettes next!
In reply to Post #1
Cant wear odd socks
Cant wear odd socks
A mate of mine has three superstitions that he and an old friend share,
1. Never put a keep net out until you have caught something.
2. Never spit in your swim
3. Never harm a bleak
Not much use when carping but it keeps him happy.
I think all these cuddly toys that carpers trust their fortunes upon are just comfort blankets for the cold nights and nothing more than carping fashion. I never have been superstitious and hopefully I never will - touch wood.
1. Never put a keep net out until you have caught something.
2. Never spit in your swim
3. Never harm a bleak
Not much use when carping but it keeps him happy.
I think all these cuddly toys that carpers trust their fortunes upon are just comfort blankets for the cold nights and nothing more than carping fashion. I never have been superstitious and hopefully I never will - touch wood.
In reply to Post #13
Superstittions I use to do them all the time, for fishing and football they work about twice. Best carp superstition which works 99% of the time for me be on the fish.
Superstittions I use to do them all the time, for fishing and football they work about twice. Best carp superstition which works 99% of the time for me be on the fish.
In reply to Post #27
That cuddly I put on my bivvy table what my girlfriend's daughters gave me means a lot more to me than just a good luck charm for fishing,I have a great relationship with the 2 girls and son they are teen to adults now but we all get on,so yea that toy means a lot
That cuddly I put on my bivvy table what my girlfriend's daughters gave me means a lot more to me than just a good luck charm for fishing,I have a great relationship with the 2 girls and son they are teen to adults now but we all get on,so yea that toy means a lot
In reply to Post #28
I have loads of them
I like to always walk to the left of the lake, which can be frustrating if the swim i want to fish is the first swim on the right, so I have to walk round the whole lake.
Pushing your bivvy pegs in quietly is a no no...even if the ground is super soft, all pegs and bank sticks must be malleted in....
Catching fish is a big jinks, and is bad karma... so i either fish with no bait attached or blunt my hooks.....if I'm feeling really unlucky i dont even attached a hooklink......
If wearing shorts in the summer you MUST wear socks pulled up to your knees and wear brown leather sandles on your feet....
I have loads of them
I like to always walk to the left of the lake, which can be frustrating if the swim i want to fish is the first swim on the right, so I have to walk round the whole lake.
Pushing your bivvy pegs in quietly is a no no...even if the ground is super soft, all pegs and bank sticks must be malleted in....
Catching fish is a big jinks, and is bad karma... so i either fish with no bait attached or blunt my hooks.....if I'm feeling really unlucky i dont even attached a hooklink......
If wearing shorts in the summer you MUST wear socks pulled up to your knees and wear brown leather sandles on your feet....
Hi All
Not sure if it's superstition or habit, but I always have a poo before I leave the house
Best
Jon
Not sure if it's superstition or habit, but I always have a poo before I leave the house
Best
Jon
In reply to Post #31
Lol I usually hang about the house and even have an extra coffee if I need to force the issue before I leave.
Lol I usually hang about the house and even have an extra coffee if I need to force the issue before I leave.
Some but one is because I hate litter .
- ciggy butts go in an old pop up tub people flicking dog ends grates me same for teabags
- unless it's windy as balls I never set my mat up until I have one in the net
- when I choose my swim unless I have fish boshing over me I get the kettle on and have a ciggy before obsessively making sure my buzz bars are straight and level
I also have my missus's grandads lucky coin for if I'm struggling
- ciggy butts go in an old pop up tub people flicking dog ends grates me same for teabags
- unless it's windy as balls I never set my mat up until I have one in the net
- when I choose my swim unless I have fish boshing over me I get the kettle on and have a ciggy before obsessively making sure my buzz bars are straight and level
I also have my missus's grandads lucky coin for if I'm struggling
I always salute a passing kingfisher 
Superstitious behaviour is a very complex subject as individuals we each act upon essentially irrational thoughts differently. Now add into the mix my bi polar complications I really don't know where to start on my list as I recognise almost all of the already mentioned ones which actually makes just loading the van up a accomplishment never mind getting the rods set up lol
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