For All Ye Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Fingered Bass Anglers

Decided to do some digging around the Internet today to find out what bass fishermen and women are eating in 2020, during their days on the water. Have to admit I was a little surprised by what I learned. It turns out that pros and weekend warriors alike, by a vast majority, go for nothing more than peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches.

Now many seem to have their favorite brands and flavors, but beyond that, it basically all comes down to the same thing.

I honestly didn't have a clue until I went looking because it has been years since I carried anything with me to eat during a day's fishing. I always have some water, but that's the extent of it. Back when I did carry snacks, it usually amounted to beanie-wienies or crackers spread with potted meat.

After finding the answer I was looking for, I carried the matter one step further. I wanted to find out just how nourishing (or not) those PB&Js are. As luck would have it, food-and-lifestyle writer Brittany Natale did an article just last month on that very topic. She got her information from NYC-based registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD.

For openers, PB&J sandwiches supply your body with important vitamins and minerals. The healthiest part of them is the peanut butter, a good source of Vitamin E, which helps prevent free radical damage in the body and slow the aging process of cells. PB&Js also help protect you against things like heart disease. Another benefit of PB&J sandwiches is the fiber and protein in them, which stave off hunger longer.

There is one downside to eating peanut butter and jelly. The latter normally is loaded with sugar. Using too much jelly therefore can increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cancer and depression. The recommended quantity is one tablespoon of peanut butter and one-half to one tablespoon of jelly per sandwich.

PB&J sandwiches are one of those timeless go-to's that everyone seems to love.Whether packed in school lunches, enjoyed as a midnight snack, or devoured by a hungry fisherman, this humble offering is beloved for its simplicity and convenience.