These Hilarious Fishing Mishaps Were Luckily Caught On Camera

Sometimes things get pretty slow out on the water. Sometimes you go home without ever making a catch. These unlucky fishermen had some hilarious mishaps while out on their boats, and the photo proof of what all went wrong is almost too good to be true.

Flawless Timing

The angle of this photo couldn't line up better if they'd tried. At first glance this looks like she's wearing a weird fish mask. I hope the fish got credit for being in the photo. 

You Might Need a Bigger Net

The implementation of a fishing net and a lacrosse stick makes for a comical failure. Whatever he's reeling in, it doesn't seem to be agreeing with him. Also, note the helmet. Fishing isn't meant to be this intense, bud. 

Fishing is Boring

When nothing is biting, I'd give up and do what she's doing, too. Fishing is universally known as the slowest sport ever, but those other anglers don't look like they're ready to call it a day yet. 

See Anything?

Either he dropped his wallet into the water or they're trying some new technique that I haven't heard of yet. I hope he has goggles on, but something tells me they aren't exactly the brightest pair out on the river. 

Mind If I Park Here?

When you're out on the water, there's no such thing as a bad place to park your boat. This crew managed to snag the best spot of them all! They can even get out and sit out in the sun for a while. What a smart bunch of guys. 

When Rod Is Life

You know you're in mid-life crisis mode when you value your fishing gear over everything else. This has—and will—happen to every dad who's ever lived. If it hasn't happened to yours yet, just wait. 

Walkin' On Sunfish

These are the only footwear allowed on any type of vessel. It's nautical law. Those sunfish aren't as slick as they look, they have great grip and even better support!

You Can Fish Anywhere

It's true! If there's a puddle, you can cast in it. That doesn't guarantee you'll catch anything, but you sure as heck can shut your mind off and pretend there are some biters in that murky water.

Twinnig

They say everyone has no less than seven doppelgangers in the world, and I think this guy just found one of us. The resemblance is weirdly uncanny. Hopefully he just politely threw him back in the water and didn't keep him as some weird companion.

Who's Watching the Kid? 

All I'm saying is, I hope that crib floats. It's already looking a little uneven in the water, and I bet the second the camera stopped flashing someone ended up in the water. My bet is on the dad or the crib. 

Common Sense Required

I don't think it would take a genius to figure out that this isn't a safe space to dive from. Note the lack of water, the shallow space beneath the bridge, and most importantly, the lack of water.

Maximum Productivity

Even though he's got far more tools than he needs for a day on the dock, I bet he still comes up empty. Fish are like that. You could have endless supplies of fishing rods and still not get a single bite. All in a day's work.

Killer Catfish

It's true, this catfish ate a man and swallowed him whole. Usually, catfish are overlooked as one of the river's deadliest predators, but the proof is right here. Think again next time you decide to step knee-deep into murky, water, don't.

Dinner Rush

Moments after this photo was taken it's easy to assume a scuffle over that fish ensued. The timing of this is terrifying, but hopefully, that fisherman made it out of the water unharmed. The bear is just feeling snacky, that's all. 

All Drains Don't Lead To The Ocean

Unlike what Nemo said, it doesn't look like all drains lead to the ocean. This one probably only went as far as a couple blocks. Is this kid coming or going, and does he expect to find many fish down there, beneath a suburban neighborhood?

Didn't See That One Coming

You run the risk of encountering one of these terrifying river monsters when you take your speedboat out in the Florida waters. This guy didn't expect to have such a close encounter it seems. That gator could easily climb on board if he's not careful. 

Nothing To See Here

Looks like this guy took a note from the ducks while exploring below this frozen pond. He better hope he doesn't get stuck like that or else he'll be in some big trouble. Hopefully, he found whatever he's looking for. 

Dinner For One

Fishing excursions can take a toll on you after you've been out on the water for a while without a bite. Why not get comfortable? Who says you can't still treat yourself while also reeling in tonight's dinner? 

Serious Aim

These fishermen are serious about skewering a catch for later. They'll perch up there for hours so they have the element of surprise over the unsuspecting fish. That's some serious dedication to your craft right there. 

Eatin' Good Tonight

She knows that she just caught a couple of night's worth of dinner with that fish. Looks like the fish knows it too. Sorry pal, but that's just the way it goes.

Ice Fishing Expo

Scenes like this aren't uncommon during busy ice fishing season. Miraculously, it is safe enough to drill all those holes into the ice without worrying about the entire thing breaking. And it makes for an incredible sight from far away. 

Time To Throw Him Back

Whatever compelled this guy to pick up this monster with his bare hands...he's lucky he still has all ten fingers. This belongs on every version of the show "River Monsters," because check out those teeth. 

Monster Catfish

Fish like this really do exist, so why would they ever get right into the water with it? This thing could feed those guys for weeks unless they decided to let it swim away. If so, hopefully, it didn't eat them first. 

Classic Jokester

See? Even the most sophisticated setups don't guarantee that you catch a fish every time. This guy slid right between both of those poles and safely got away. Better luck next time!

Someone Has Their Priorities In Order

When you have a wedding at 5:00 but have to catch dinner for the reception first, this is the only logical explanation behind this photo. It looks like her dress is still relatively clean, so this could be considered a successful trip on all counts.

That's One Way To Do It

I guess when you run out of options, a giraffe innertube is the only logical explanation if you just have to get out on the water today. He seems totally blissed out. The giraffe is a little creepy, but it's definitely getting the job done. 

Pool-Ception

When the river comes to you, you can't pass up an opportunity like this. When the floodwaters are that high, the fish are practically leaping out at you, making the catching easy. This guy seems to have it all figured out. 

Saw That Coming

A piece of plywood looks like it's serving more as a diving board than a support to cast off from. Predictably, it broke, and predictably, he didn't catch anything because the splash scared off all the fish. Plan better next time.

How Much Line Is Too Much Line?

You couldn't pay me to untangle that. Not for a million dollars. That's miles of fishing line right there, and no way is that usable anymore. I'd sooner turn the whole boat around than attempt to fix that mess. 

When Mom Says You Can't Fish

Gotta work with what you have if you're stuck indoors, right? It's hard to make out what he's actually fishing for, and it's even harder to figure out why. Nothing about this image is right. He's not even having fun. 

Nothing But Open Water

More examples of people making the most of the flood season. I wonder what they actually catch in that murky water? What's lurking around in there where it doesn't belong? Maybe a car or two?

Lazy Day By The River

Yeah, fishing really is this boring. Some people might find it relaxing, but judging by the number of rods he has posted up, I'd guess he got fed up with waiting and the impatience got the best of him. He probably needed a much-enjoyed break from disappointment.

Well, Which Is It?

Miscommunication is the worst, especially when all you want to do is fish. Is the fishing bridge open or closed? Which is it? Why would anyone close it in the first place? That's a crime against a person's right to cast off.

Hop Onboard

"Reel Therapy" is taking passengers starting now. Unlike real therapy, it's unlikely that any of your problems will actually be solved. Either way, a relaxing day out on the water still seems like a nice temporary fix to any stress you might have.

Something's Off

If you read that closely, the sign is asking dogs to keep their masters on leashes and not the other way around. That's one slightly effective way to make sure nobody that doesn't belong in the water ends up there. You can only swim if you can breathe underwater or are looking for a snack. Sound good?

Modern Art

This image screams "failed first date from 2004." This guy was probably so unbelievably proud of his speedboat, the Nitro Z8. She clearly couldn't care less. She probably doesn't even eat fish. What a shame. Hopefully, she knows that there are other fish in the sea.

Of All The Bad Tattoos Out There

This one might be the worst. Though it's relatively practical, it's completely unnecessary. He also should have kept in mind that as he ages the scale will become less and less accurate. It was a decent attempt, but he should probably just stick to the classic tape measurer.

DIY Beer Hooks

Might as well make something crafty out of all those long days out on the water. The countless beers that inevitably get drank while waiting for a catch shouldn't all go to waste. These DIY hooks are cool and commemorative. 

Size Comparison

The woman still has the fish beat, but that's a pretty lengthy catch still. Surely this pose was the guy's idea because that fish just looks miserable. Hopefully, he doesn't get confused and accidentally toss his girlfriend back into the water.

Feels Like Home

Maximum comfort is the number one priority while out fishing. This guy totally modified his canoe to fit a recliner and what looks like a radio. Not a fishing rod in sight though, but at that point who needs it. He has all the entertainment he wants. 

The Lengths Some Fishermen Go To

Pun intended. If you have access to a rig like this, you might as well use it to aid in the element of surprise for your daily catch. The fish literally will not see you coming. The only downside is that you've got a long way to reel it in. 

Wrong Way, Pal

The effort to have a nice, relaxing time is there, but his chair is facing the wrong way. He forgot his fishing rod, and he's practically on the edge of the river. If he'd thought this contraption through a little better it would have been much more relaxing. 

Down He Goes

Whoever needs to hear this - fishing with your bare hands doesn't work. It only works in the movies. Even then, it only works sometimes. He's trying to pull in what looks like a massive sunfish with zero success rate. If he was smart he'd just stick to using the classic, foolproof fishing rod method. 

It Takes Two

Teamwork makes the dream work, but it doesn't always reel in the catch. This comically long fishing line is so over-extended that you can't even tell what they're trying to reel in. Either way, it looks like they're having some great quality time while doing it.

The Elusive Four-Wheeled Species

You won't believe what this guy reeled in. How lucky is he to have found an endangered four-wheeled species of fish? The things he can cook with this... He might even break a world record with this find. 

Do It For The Photo

There's a 90% chance this image was totally staged. Whatever he's got on the other end of that line is in now way strong enough to drag him that far. You know what they say, people will do anything for Instagram likes these days. 

Highway Casting

When the flood comes, it's best to take advantage of it and post up in a prime spot to see what you can catch. This guy has the perfect set up: a comfortable folding chair, an unbrella. All he needs is something to grab onto his line.

Rules are Rules

When it's nice out, it's safe to assume that rules don't necessarily need to apply, especially if that bridge is right over some prime fishing. The waters are clearly in high demand, so maybe the town will reconsider this rule that nobody is bothering to follow anyway.

Man Overboard

We can only assume that he was never seen again. Either this was a dramatic photo op or there's a shark on the end of his line, nobody knows for sure. The only thing that's positive is that he's got a long way to go before he hits the water. 

Fishing Is For Everyone

The great thing about fishing is that age doesn't matter. You can be two years old, or ninety-two. As long as you can hold a fishing rod and reel in a line, you can fish. This man is living proof that even if you're older, you can still get in the water and throw a line.

Those Fish Look Weird

Better make sure your catch is wrapped up tight because those cats look hungry. They found the best place to wait for a meal, too. The edge of a dock where local fishermen carry in their finds is a great spot to beg for a treat. Surely one of them will be nice enough and give them a space tuna or two. 

That Definitely Wasn't Supposed To Happen

He overshot the dock by that much, and the payoff was serious. At least the boat didn't actually end up in the water. Now that would have been really bad. Surely this is likely an easy fix for now, but the damage on the car will be eating a hole in that guy's pocket for years. 

When You Live With a Fisherman

Fishing jokes are around every corner if you live with someone who lives to fish. Who would have thought they make novelty fishing reel toilet paper holders. Why do they make those? Hopefully everyone in the house loves fishing just as much as this person does.

Fun Before The Pool Gets Drained

If you've always wanted a place to test out your new canoe, why not try it in your backyard pool before it opens for the summer? No more dragging it down to the river and sitting out in "nature," like a normal person. The only downside is, did anybody tell him that there aren't any fish in there?

Too Drunk To Fish

When you need a night in with the boys but also can't go without your daily fishing fix, see if any of your guppies will bite. They likely won't but it still might be kind of fun to try. As long as you throw them back in the tank, those little guys aren't for eating.

Lobster Queen

This image is 100% frightening. Hopefully she went home and cooked all of those right away and didn't continue to walk around with them crawling all over her like that. This is something that no other person surely has ever been tempted to try. 

Bear Style

She's watched one too many Planet Earth documentaries and decided to try catching salmon the way grizzly bears do. Somehow, she was successful, but surely that isn't the most sanitary thing to do? Mercury poisoning is definitely a thing she forgot to look into. 

The Product of Global Warming

These guys are making the most of the last of the ice caps and literally chilling out on the water. I guess you could still sort of call it ice fishing, even though there's hardly any ice and all the fish are definitely out of hibernation by now. 

Don't Drink and Fish

I'm sure this is what a lot of people's boats look like after they come back from a long day on the water. Hopefully this guy's family didn't even let him leave the driveway judging from all the cans he has in there. 

A Lonely Road

It's too bad when you live miles from the water and this is your only source of fun. Hopefully he doesn't get too down on himself about not getting any bites, it's just that time of year. 

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