Growing up I always used to term "fish on" when I actually had a fish on the line while fishing. As of late, I hear more and more people use it similar to the way you would use "carry on." To be honest, this bugs me and seems to be a misuse of the term. I see this a lot in the comments sections of websites/videos. Here's an example.

Blah, blah, blah. Your video is the best! You da man.

Fish on!

I've always used the term to alert my companions that there is a fish on the end of my line, and they all use it in the same way. If somebody on my boat says "fish on" I will usually pull my line in and ask if they need assistance (net, etc.) 

How do you all use this term, or do you use it at all? 

 

I usually fish alone and tend to shout expletives when i hook into one. 

1 minute ago, fishinfiend said:

I usually fish alone and tend to shout expletives when i hook into one. 

Fair enough. 

I say "There's a fish!", but use this expression the same way you use "Fish on!". 

I mainly say it when my brother jerks on the line to make me think I have a fish.

"Get the net!!"

 

Mike 

When I'm pretending to be Jeremy Wade I say it.... 

I usually say "Here we go" as I'm crossing their eyes.

Same as long island basser... "here we go"

Got one....

For the most part in everyday life and fishing I'm in the "here we go" camp but do mix in the "fish on" while fishing

Thanks for the replies. I do not always say 'fish on' either, mostly only when I'm trying to taunt one of my friends.  Usually I'm silent. I guess I was just more curious about the whole thing. It seems weird to say it when one does not actually have a fish on.

I always fish by myself so I'm usually quiet. Unless I backlash, catch a low branch or something equally aggravating, then some f-bombs are dropped. 

Everything but 'fish on'

Usually only when salmon or steelhead fishing as a trigger for the other guy to reel in and get the net. Could also be used sarcastically during a very very very slow day.

Everyone who's too cool for school chose the 3rd option.

I say it sometimes when I hook into a nice one.

I had a guy fishing in the evening who thought he was competing with me in front of a crowd. He say got another one (sunfish). I'd say I got another bass just to razz him every time I caught a bass. I'm not normally like this. I enjoy fishing alone.

Don't say it and most of the hardcore anglers I know don't. Seems to be more of a weekend warrior mantra. I usually say something to the effect, I'm getting bit, there's one, or feels like a good one. I guess I don't see the need to specify what is on the end of my line, while I am casting a fishing rod, with a fishing lure, on a bass boat.  

10 minutes ago, BaitMonkey1984 said:

 

Don't say it and most of the hardcore anglers I know don't. Seems to be more of a weekend warrior mantra. I usually say something to the effect, I'm getting bit, there's one, or feels like a good one. I guess I don't see the need to specify what is on the end of my line, while I am casting a fishing rod, with a fishing lure, on a bass boat.  

 I say "fish on!" on occasion when I get a bite from a good one,especially if it hits hard.I have been fishing for decades,have caught hundreds of big bass,and I still get excited every time I get a big bite.Heck, saying  "fish on!" is mild compared to what I say every time I land a real lunker! 

If it's a big one, "Oh my god"...

I normally say, "There's a fish.  That's a fish."  As an affirmation that I didn't hook the bottom.

16 hours ago, Derekbass02 said:

I mainly say it when my brother jerks on the line to make me think I have a fish.

When we are fishing for bull reds,  monster cats and anything else with baitfeeder reels,  one of us will wait for the other of us to be lulled by the rocking of the boat,  we grab the line and pull long and hard to make the running drag scream.  Works every time.

I don't think I say anything when I have hooked a fish, but I say some words when a fish gets off the hook.

I understand (and agree with) the usage to encourage boatmate to be ready to net....and to alert other fisherpersons in the area that I have one....especially if its a pig and I want to make sure they can look over with ***.

 

I, however have no personal history with the phrase, so while I also understand your frustration with recent 'mis-use', I think I kinda like it....as in "Fish On, Garth!"....

or "Keep Calm and Fish On".....

or after the DNR dude gets through with my license and looking over my boat and tells me "Everything looks in order.  Fish on."....

or "Yo, back it up, I'm snagged....never mind, I'm off...fish on"

 

Pretty versatile, if you ask me

That's funny...I am not allowed to say e/n/v/y