Cutting Bait

The title came from a common English colloquial expression dating back to the 19th century United States, Fish or Cut Bait. The expression came from... more

by Steve Knapp

Title

Cutting Bait

Artist

Steve Knapp

Medium

Oil Painting

Description

The title came from a common English colloquial expression dating back to the 19th century United States, "Fish or Cut Bait." The expression came from the fishing industry where both fishing and cutting bait were equally important tasks. The use of the expression was as a advisor for swift decision making and caution against procrastination or indecisiveness. My Grandfather and Doc Houston owned a 35' boat they used for sport fishing on Lake Ontario and from age 7 I would go fishing with them. It was not just a fishing trip it was an adventure. I was told I was 1st mate and I had responsibilities such as using the pike pole when docking and learning how to tie proper knots when tying up the boat. That was when I became familiar with the sxpression "Fish or Cut Bait." It was a lot of fun some times we would be out from sunrise till evening all of the men always had a wager going every one would have to pay the person who caught the first keeper Bass a quarter $.25 and the same to the person who caught the largest bass. One day my grandfather told me I was going to have to pay for the minnows I would use, he was probably joking, but I went out and caught a bunch of grasshopers for bait. That day I caught the first bass it turned out to be the largest, and I sold some of my grasshoppers to my grandfather's fishing buddies, it was a great day.

Uploaded

April 21st, 2013