‘Nice fish.’ Simple saying can mean different things when it’s a reply to a big-fish pic

Every time my cellphone buzzes and I see a text from an angler with a picture attached to it, I kinda go into a defensive posture.

Like many other fishermen, I find it’s fun to “ruin” a buddy’s day when I text an unexpected picture of a monster I just caught. However, it sure can bug me if it’s me getting the text. I’ve found that sent/received fishing pictures can create unexpected quandaries on how to respond and not get yourself in trouble. Here’s a few scenarios I’ve seen.

So you text a picture of a big fish you just caught to a fishing friend, maybe not a real close buddy, hoping to share your excitement. All you want is a big “attaboy” from someone who you think might appreciate it. Several minutes later, a terse reply: “nice fish.” What??? That’s all?

Someone saying your trophy catch is a “nice fish” is like kissing your sister — twice! Giving a low-credit reaction doesn’t lend much credence to the catch and also leaves the proud angler wondering what was really meant by nice ... but afraid to find out. Maybe it means: Don’t send me any more pictures! I don’t want to see it, since it’s bigger than what I catch. On the other hand, maybe it’s the reply you get from someone who has received one too many big-fish pics.

Taking this whole issue another step is when a sender posts a stated (or estimated) weight of the big fish — or doesn’t! Either way, it can be like walking a tightrope in order to be cordial and honest as a receiver.

For example , the picture you get says the fish is 30 pounds, but you can clearly see it’s not even 20. Do you just say, “great fish,” and go on, knowing this implicit agreement will be used as further evidence with other fisherman that you agree it’s really that big? Or do you try to be diplomatic and say, “That wasn’t a very good picture and I’m sorry, I would have guessed it was a lot smaller. You know how fish pictures are! How big did you say it really was?” (Another version of “nice fish.”)

What if someone sends you a picture without any measurements? Do you guess a weight and then possibly irritate/offend the angler with a low and insulting (to him) stab? Or, do you carefully try to inquire about the size? Some anglers (most!) are very sensitive. If you know this, guess high and hope they’ll correct you.

I hate to reveal this, but sometimes I take advantage of the predictable negative reaction I know my good buddies have when I send them a picture from the lake. It’s critical to use this tactic sparingly, as well as strategically, for it to work correctly. Maybe one of my guys has recently caught a big fish and he knows I’m trying to outdo him. I know he’s keeping track of me. About mid-morning I send him a short text: “Did you get the picture??!” I tend not to answer calls when I’m fishing, so after sendng that message the breathless replies (“What did you catch?) stack up. At the end of the day, I plead innocence: “OMG! It was just a pic of my new pole, did you really think it was a big-fish picture?” Good buddies usually forgive you, but seldom forget! I like to live dangerously.

Two things. Never call another angler’s fish “nice.” And never give up!

This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 9:31 AM.