The “Hard Mode” Delusion: Ego, Espionage, and the Death of the Dockside Handshake
There is a quiet, heavy tension at the boat ramps in 2026. It’s a mix of high-tech paranoia and a crumbling of old-school etiquette. If you’ve spent any time fishing fresh water or salt water lately, you’ve felt it: a pervasive sentiment that everyone is fishing on “Hard Mode” and that anyone else’s success is somehow illegitimate.
We have entered an era where “congratulations” has been replaced by “how did they cheat?” This isn’t just about bad sportsmanship; it’s a psychological rift tearing at the heart of the fishing community.
The Silence at the Dock: Winning as a “Sin”
I was recently listening to the Mill House Podcast, where legendary angler RJ Boyle discussed a disturbing trend. He mentioned being on the winning team at a major tournament in Costa Rica, only to be met with total silence at the dock. No high-fives. No “good job.” Just a cold shoulder from peers who couldn’t reconcile someone else’s success with their own “struggle.”
This “Dockside Silence” is the loudest thing in the sport right now. When an angler believes their own struggle is uniquely difficult, they cannot rationalize someone else’s success as hard work. They tell themselves: “They have a bigger boat,” “They stole GPS numbers,” or “They must have cheated.” When we stop congratulating winners, we trade the camaraderie of the sport for a toxic echo chamber.
The Nostalgia Trap: Looking Back to Move Backward
Why is this bitterness so prevalent now? I find it fascinating that our technology, which was supposed to move us forward, has trapped us in the past. YouTube and cell phones are constantly reminding us of “how great things were.” We are bombarded with “throwback” clips of unpressured fish and empty boat ramps.
This constant nostalgia is a trap. It haunts our dreams and makes us wish we could go back in time. But looking back too much is exactly what’s to blame for the modern rage. When we compare today’s reality to a filtered, digital memory of the “good old days,” the present will always feel like a struggle. We have to realize we are still here, and the only way to fish is in the now. Take what we have learned and make it better. That is what a good fisherman does.
The Era of Fishing Espionage
The “Hard Mode” narrative is often fueled by the lengths people go to for an edge. We’ve seen it with the mastery of Tidal Intel and the “Proxy Strategy”—pros calling a local sitting on a dock five miles away just to see when the water hits a certain pylon. That 30-second call tells them exactly when the “bite window” will open on their own spot.
Today, this is a legal minefield. New B.A.S.S. and MLF rules for 2026 have implemented strict “No-Information” blackouts. This pressure is causing a mass exodus to the “safety” of YouTube, where you can “win” in the edit without facing a polygraph or a cold shoulder at the ramp.
The Trap of the “Rage-Stream”
Lately, I’ve seen a concerning trend: pros jumping on “Live” streams specifically to vent their frustrations. They let the rage take over, and they attract an audience that feeds off that anger. I’ll be honest—I’ve fallen into this trap myself.
But broadcasting rage isn’t venting; it’s building a brand on negativity. At the end of the day, we are incredibly lucky. We work on the water. Many have let the anger take over to the point where they’ve forgotten that being on the water is a privilege, not a right to be miserable.
Identifying “Bag People”
I’ve realized that I have a gift: the ability to sense “bag people”—those who carry nothing but the heavy weight of excuses—and stay away from them. I saw it clearly this year when I started running a larger vessel. People I had supported and congratulated for years wouldn’t even make a peep when I leveled up.
That silence tells me they have internal work to do. Fishing is an emotional sport, but it shouldn’t be a weapon for insecurity. I choose to stay grounded and send them love.
Leadership: Breaking the “Firing Loop”
If you run a fleet, you’ve likely seen the signs of a crew in the “wobble”: hired captains showing up late, making excuses about the tide, or complaining about pay while the effort drops.
Most charter operation or team owners think the answer is to fire the guy and hire someone new. It’s not. If you don’t fix the underlying mindset, you are just creating a loop of the same problem. You’ll hire a new guy, have a “honeymoon phase” for three months, and then find yourself right back in the same toxic cycle of excuses.
Because you are financially and emotionally invested, you are too close to the situation to fix it yourself. You need an outside perspective to break that loop.
Facing the “Wobble” with Accountability
I’ve felt that bitterness. I’ve caught myself comparing my “hard work” to everyone else’s “advantages.” I’ve had those dreams where I wish I could go back in time and fix mistakes I made or words I said. But we can’t go back; we can only stay on the track.
I have to give credit where it’s due. When I have a “slip” or start to “wobble” into that negative headspace, my wife and business coach, Melinda Van Fleet, doesn’t baby it. She is tough on me. She doesn’t just offer “nice” words that don’t move the needle—she puts me back on the track. She holds me accountable to the work we do on mindset and conscious awareness.
I am a better person today than I was last year, and I work on it every single day. Am I perfect? Hell no. But I do the work to be a better person and a better leader.
Fishing Mindset Reset
- The 10-Second Rule: Within 10 seconds of seeing a rival’s success, offer a sincere “Good job.” Kill the “they must have cheated” narrative in your head before it takes root.
- Digital Discipline: Don’t just jump on a live stream. Record yourself first. Sit on it. Watch it again. If you wouldn’t say it with a handshake at the dock, don’t hit the keyboard.
- Gratitude as a Weapon: When the rage bubbles up, remind yourself you’re still here. Mistakes happen, but we’re still on the water.
Ready to get your team (or yourself) back on the track?
If you’re a leader, business owner, or fleet operator struggling with staff performance or personal blocks, I highly recommend working with Melinda. She offers Private 1:1 Consultations and Mentorship (NDA available) to help you collapse time and fix the “wobble.” F
Visit MelindaVanFleet.com to learn more.
Conclusion
The next time you’re at the dock and someone pulls in a heavy bag, try something radical: Congratulate them. Be the guy we all loved watching. The only person making your trip “harder” than it needs to be is you.
Thanks for reading.
Capt. Ryan