"Just One More Cast"...What Does It REALLY Mean?

Probably about the only time you can take it at face value is when you're married and have taken your mate fishing with you. Especially if she's a non-fishing person, she very well may be sitting there armed with a treble hook ready to sink into your rear end if you don't start moving toward the car.

In situations other than that, however, "just one more cast" is apt to have various meanings, e.g., one more hour, one more fish, 'til sunset. In short, it may mean "we'll probably be fishing longer than originally planned."

More importantly, "just one more cast" symbolizes the optimistic attitude necessary to outwit a fish that might not be hungry. It also speaks to the perseverance it takes to be successful in a sport where the opponent (the fish) is not always visible.

There are times when the "just one more cast" mindset has turned a bad day's fishing into a good one. Most of the time, it's a good excuse to extend the fishing trip, simply because it's fun to be on the water. When one considers the alternatives, such as doing yard work or cleaning out the garage, it's no wonder so many choose to fish longer.

As one veteran angler allowed, "It's really interesting how many times the last cast of the day produces a fish, and often, the biggest fish of the trip. The other day, for example, I took a few youngsters crappie fishing. Two of the three had caught several 13-inch or larger fish, while the other one only had a few that were closer to eight inches. When it came time to pull the fishing lures in for the final time, the third youngster made one more cast and, yes, caught a 17-inch crappie...the largest fish of the day."

Many believe that the last cast has a very high likelihood of hooking a fish. Conversely, though, catching a fish on the first cast of the day is said to bring bad luck for the rest of the day.