Why does one get thrown overboard for one's first marlin?

Question

I was just wondering why a person gets thrown overboard for their first marlin. DUNK! Straight in the drink.

I've seen it on popular fishing shows, and my friend tells me that someone did it to her for her first swordfish.

Is it some ancient Polynesian ritual to sacrifice to a fish-god? Or just someone's idea of fun?

Answer 1

i think its just out of jealousy. or as a celebration thing

Answer 2

I was thrown off the dock when I caught my first marlin, and I threw my girlfriend in the drink when she caught her first marlin.  I have heard a few reasons, to include it being a ritual sacrifice.  But like most traditions, it is dying out and not done as much and the origin is lost somewhere in the mist of time.  I tend to think the basis is a ritual sacrifice, just like getting "blooded" when you harvest your first deer or having you shirt tail cut off if you miss one. Traditions we take for granted tend to be rooted in some pagan practices of old and I for one think it is a shame we are getting away from these practices (I still put a twig of greenary in a harvested deer's mouth and smear some blood on my face when I harvest one).

Answer 3

Its all in fun.

Answer 4

I have NO IDEA where the tradition originated, I believe it's done now as just a fun thing, sort of an initiation thing into a group of fishermen/women priviledged enough to catch a marlin. Where I live, you get tossed on your first billfish of any species.