Can You Drink Away Bananas’ Bad Luck?

With the exception of a few crusty contrarians, it is a truth universally accepted by anglers that bananas are bad luck in the boat. While I’m not generally superstitious, this is one I buy into. Despite the fact that I love banana pudding, banana bread and regular old yeller nanners, I won’t eat them within 24 hours of getting on the water – except in Brazil, where they grow naturally and I’ve unilaterally decided that they don’t mess up the peacock bass bite. Other than that, caveat emptor!

You don’t need to look far to find evidence of this widespread belief. If you want to prevent banana-toters from getting on your boat, you can display this sticker from Boneyard Fly Gear

Or wear a shirt like this one from H2Ocean Extreme

Once you are safely back on land, you might consider drinking banana-themed beer to ward off the evil spirits. There’s Bad Luck Banana from Fin City Brewing Co. in Ocean City, Maryland

As well as The Ol Dangerously Close to Stupid Amount of Banana

If you like banana bread, there are several to choose from including Banana Bread Beer from Eagle Brewery in the UK

Along with Wells Banana Bread Beer

The Bruery in California offers Bakery Banana Bread imperial stout

There’s also the rhyming Savannah Banana Beer from Service Beer Company, part of their Ball Park Series

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. produces a Bananas Foster beer

And if your sweet tooth is still not satisfied, try Eclipse Imperial Stout Banana Fritter

Until I started looking into this, I had no idea that banana-based beer was actually a thing. In some parts of Africa it’s actually a big deal. So check out Mongozo Banana from the Republic of Congo, which is organic, gluten-free and Fair Trade

The Netherlands gets in on the act, too, with De 3 Horne Bananatana

BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO INCUR THE WRATH OF THE FISHING GODS, TRY WEARING A BANANA HAMMOCK FISHING. There are plenty of beers out there to “celebrate” the experience. They include Banana Hammock from Crooked Hammock Brewery in Delaware

Banana Hammock Scotch Ale from Hillcrest Brewing Co. in San Diego

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Banana Hammock Dunkelweizen, made by JareCo Brewing in New Jersey

Banana Hammock Summer Hefeweizen from Parallel 49 Brewery in Vancouver BC 

Colorado’s Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery may have the most disturbing label

And finally, in Ohio there is the all-in approach of the Banana Hammock Brewery