The meaning of Luck

Luck vs Skill

Hemingway makes reference to luck, or a lack of luck, many times. The book actually starts out talking about how the old man had gone 84 days without capturing a single fish. The old man even indirectly stated that he was unlucky by telling the boy to stay with the “lucky” boat he was with instead of helping him. Even with this acceptance of his bad luck, the man values his skills more than a superstition. “But, he thought, I keep them with precision. Only I have no luck anymore. But who knows? Maybe today. Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.”

Why does Hemingway mention luck so often? What does it truly mean?

I believe that luck to the fisherman is the equivalent to a writing idea to Hemingway. I think that possibly the lack of luck could represent an episode of writers block, but that's just a guess of course.