By: Englis Glover
No matter your target species and no matter how long your trip on the water, there are several factors that are alike on all trips. Reliable equipment, good bait and plenty of food are necessary.
Our first priority when we launch is to be as successful as possible. Well, like the old saying goes, 10 percent of the fishermen catch 90 percent of the fish. For the other 90 percent of us, that means we are busy doing other stuff on the water. Eating tends to be a great pass time on the boat.
For years I thought Lance crackers or Vienna Sausages were the only acceptable food on the boat. We used to rent a boat from Cedar Hill Landing in Murrells Inlet. My dad had his hands full with three boys on days when we would rent jonboat and load up with either Nekot or Toastchee crackers and Vienna Sausage. Well, these food items are a staple for many a fishermen, from the man on the bridge to the guy in the $50k bay boat.
But, man, have tastes changed on the boat. There are those who show up for a four-hour trip with enough food to live for days. Maybe they saw Gilligan’s Island and are nervous. Well, being stuck on the island with Ginger would not have been all that terrible.
Recently on our radio show The Southern Anglers Radio Show on 100.3 The Team, or available at www.TeamMyrtleBeach.com, we discussed food on the boat. My go-to for a long day on the water continues to be crackers, and I like chicken sandwiches or subs. These are easy and quick and take less of your fishing time than some of the food items my friends eat on the boat. I mean, making sandwiches is great, but they all end up tasting like bait. George Poveromo said on the radio show that fried chicken is not allowed on his boat because the grease gets on the deck and causes bad things to happen. Well, being of southern mind and body, I like a bag of boiled peanuts on board for everyone to share. But these also create a dangerous situation when the casualties that have fallen out of the shell get stepped on throughout the fishing day.
One of the most awesome meals I have had on the boat was a celebratory batch of John Warren Floyd’s tuna ceviche on board The Full Pull. We had caught some nice tuna, and he decided to cut up some. After 30 minutes, we had a bag of unbelievable treats to celebrate and honor the fish we had caught. This is common among sportfishing vessels and can be done with most any type of fish.
We all prefer our own style of food on a boat. Whatever it is, we want to hear what your favorite food is for a day on the water. E-mail me your favorite food to englis1970@yahoo.com. I will pick a lucky winner and post it in next month’s article. The winner will receive a Reelin Up The Coast T-shirt and coozie.