NO BANANAS - For F***ing sake, PLEASE, DO NOT BRING A BANANA ON A BOAT. This is a universal rule and is not a joke. One would think everyone would know this yet season after season, incidents happen. Breaking this rule can result in permanent expulsion on some vessels and physical altercations in extreme cases (generally on commercial vessels out for days at a time, generally). I don’t even eat one if I am going fishing because it will be in my belly (GET IN MY BELLY!! LOL) while I am on a boat. I have seen this proven time after time with my own eyes and Rodney thinks it is a real thing. Rodney truly recommends abiding by this one.

AVOID THE NUMBER BETWEEN 12 & 14 - This particular number should be avoided. If absolutely necessary to verbalize it say something like the odd number, the bad number, or just accept one less and say twelve or pay for one more and say 14. This will appease the Fluke gods, if you take advantage and go in reverse, the consequences are… just don’t do it.

AVOID SAYING THE 3 LETTER ANIMAL BACON COMES FROM - The “pointy eared fellows” are never to be mentioned. This is an older one but was very real in the past and best not trifled with. There are stories of Captains turning around or refusing to go because of this rule being broken.

CHOOSE A SONG ABOUT LOSS TO SING - After missing a bite or watching one swim away a little tune always helps “soothe the soul.” Rodney uses “Baby Come Back” and it seems really draw the Fluke back to the bait.

MAKE A DONATION OR WET A PICTURE - There are a million ways to provide a small sacrifice to turn the luck in your favor or get the jumbo-select to bite and Rodney recommends them ALL!!! Putting dollar bills on the reel to be let go into the ocean when drag goes out, wetting any picture of your liking and pasting it to rods, eating bait, and varying chants/dances/foods/pre-fishing routines all work, sometimes and should be used as needed.

THE WIND ALWAYS BLOWS NE WHEN THE MOON IS FULL - This is scientifically unproven but an old timer once told me this and it is observationally true. At some point during the 3 days the moon is full the wind will blow NE for some amount of time. Rodney has seen the forecast be SW through the moon and the wind will, at some point, stop and blow NE for at least 6 hours. It may be light, it may be strong, but for some reason it just is. Not to be used as a drift guide, follow the forecast.

FLUKE LOVE A NORTH/EAST WIND - Something about the wind out off those directions seem to push the boat a little better, bring lots of lead for east wind but the Fluke gods generally approve of effort in lousy conditions and reward you with nice fish. East wind usually means low pressure which is a universal plus for fishing. Also, you generally have the place to yourself.

YOU CAN SEE THE SEABREEZE COMING - Not scientifically proven!!! We have all been out on the water and pushed it a couple drifts too long only to have a nasty afternoon breeze make the ride home a little sportier than desired. The way to know when this breeze going to hit is to locate the wind clouds. Winds clouds are puffy round clouds who form over land and head towards the sea. When the wind clouds get overhead, the breeze shows up. Identifying and watching wind clouds can let you know when to head for the harbor or to stay for a few more drifts without getting soaked on the way home.