His theory is that the size of his boat puts the fish down or causes them to move off in distance while the smaller boats seem to be hooking up. Someone suggests that perhaps one of his competitors has painted a picture of Madonna on the bottom of his boat. Another proposes it is a picture of a great white shark. Everyone considers this possibility. No theory is too farfetched for a derby fisherman not catching fish.
Some fishermen can make it look easy.
Mike Cassidy, the affable derby vice chairman and the man responsible for the smooth operation of the weigh station, recounts dozing off under the stars on South Beach. On the opposite end of making it look easy is Mack Haskell, who had driven out along the beach to fly fish the bar under Cape Poge Light. First, Mack broke the tip of his fly rod taking it out of the case. A very bad omen. His friend, an expert fly caster, volunteered to use the broken rod and gave his rod to Mack who proceeded to walk out on the bar.