I have a question for you all. I have read that the smell of sunblock has an adverse effect on fishing success. Whereas I don't want to grow any extra melanomas, and I do like good results (don't we all) is there any "fisherman" formulated sunscreen available that works?
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What? are you chumming with sunscreen?
I've heard WD-40 attracts them but who came up with the idea to try sunscreen?
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The sunscreen gets on your hands when you apply it and then gets on your lure or fly. I don't know about you but I have yet to master the art of fishing without hands. (Although my friends may say I do fish with all thumbs.) (lol)
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I have tested one for the MFG, one of the "field tests" I performed for NAFC. It was good, it worked all day and it had bug repellant in it, it was lemon and eucalyptus or somthing, it was a cream that "soaked in" fast.
If you are just looking for a sunscreen, use the cream types, they absorbe into your skin instead of just coating you. That is the biggest issue I think, once you get past that you are scott free. the other ooption is to use some sort of "gravy" to mask your odor and the sunscreen scent as well...or you can mix smelly jelly with your sunscreen so you dont toast your lures too..lol.[
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I think the combo I use is good, apply a cream type sunscreen, and then use the smelly jelly.....or I have used the kid sunscreen thats like scented or flavored, which I dont know I didnt taste it but smelled it, like the grape or watermelon, they dont smell like sunscreen. and that melon or fruit flavor may be the ticket to the bigun.
Laters,
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I'm not sure if it affects fishing or not but last saturday my wife and I went out on Bear Lake and fished about 5 hours. She put on sun screen and I didn't. I caught 7 nice fish and she didn't even get a bite. We were both using the same lure and everything the only thing different was the sun screen. Needless to say she was mad because I out fished her so bad.[laugh]
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It has crossed my mind on more than one ocassion. I usually put the sunscreen on first thing and really scrub down my hands. Especially if its the water proof stuff. I would imagine that bait fishing (worm, powerbait and the like) is more likely to be affected by the odor of sunscreen than a spinner or jig.. Just my opinion.[
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I have also seen a sunscreen on the market that comes in a pump or spray so you dont have to use your hands to apply it just your finger to pull the trigger and spray yourself down...come to think of it I agree with bearclaw, I have been known to put it on before I leave and wash the heck outta my hands....to get it all off then use a scent cover....crave gravy works and it make them fishys horny too. lol.
Laters,
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I have my wife rub it on me then I handle all the lures.
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[cool][blue][size 1]Down here in Arizona, we know what sun is. We are the skin cancer capital of the US. Only Australia has a higher rate.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Sunscreen is something I never leave the house without applying first and carrying extra. I apply it before leaving and it will hold up until about midday. If I feel extra heat or suspect clothing, sweat or water splashes may have depleted the initial application, I use some more.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I use a 30 SPF cream that has no PBF (?). That stuff kills your eyes when the sweat makes it run.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I also wash my hands thoroughly after applying sunscreen. You can wash the palms, fingers and other surfaces that will come into contact with your bait or lures, without removing too much from the exposed back of your hands. I use plain old liquid dial at home. Then, when I hit the water, I start handling shad oil or crawdad oil and it pretty much neutralizes any residual scent of the sunscreen or the soap.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There are several fishermen's soaps on the market that are designed to remove such things as gasoline smell (the worst for fishing) and other potentially offensive scents to fish. Some people just naturally produce more of the substance L-serine than others. Almost all fish have been shown to react negatively when even a small whiff of that stuff hits the water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]As a good rule of thumb (and other fingers), fill up your tank the day before fishing and don't wash with a heavily perfumed soap. If you apply sunscreen, rinse the parts of your hands that will be handling flies, lures or bait. The final touch is to use something to further mask any lingering scent. If it is smelly jelly, so be it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The final step in the whole process is backing up and getting rid of the fishy stuff before you come back into the presence of "polite society". We fisherfolk become accustomed to our "unique" odors, but others are keenly aware that we smell "different". Now is the time to hit the showers and use a good deep cleaning soap...and shampoo. Also, your spouse will like you better if you remove your fishing clothes in the garage and put them in a plastic bag. Of course, that is all predicated upon a successful day on the water. And, aren't they all?[/size][/#0000ff]
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I have a container of baking soda on my boat to clean odors from my hands. I think it has made a difference, especially when my primer bulb leaks gas onto my mands.
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It probably depends on the kind of fishing you are doing. If you are trolling, it probably doesn't matter at all. The fish are attracted visually and I really don't think they take the time to "smell" when they see that little lure go cruising past them.
If you are still fishing, I think scent does have a bigger effect. I don't think fish are sitting there by your bait thinking "hmm....smells like a human"....but if something smells just nasty, I'm not going to put it in my mouth and neither are they. (though "smelling nasty" is all relative. Some of those smelly jellys, baits, and powerbait gel smell nasty to me, but the fish love them)
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Just grease yourself up all you want with sunblock the use an attractant like smelly jelly to cover the sunblock scent. Then you don't have to worry about skin cancer or problems with you lures or bait!
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[cool][blue][size 1]You haven't lived until you take a big bite of a sandwich you handled after getting some fresh crawdad scent on your fingers. But, since fish seem to know when to hit...just as we are ready to pick up a sandwich...that has happened more than once.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]YUCK.[/size][/#0000ff]
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Also, you will smell so bad that your spouse will boot your stinky butt out of the house as soon as you get home and you can head back up to the lake.[
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TD, I have wondered for years when someone was gonna come up with a sunscrean than doesn't make the eyes burn. No PBF, Huh? Is there a particular brand that is PBF free? I've been fightin' the watery, burning eyes uneccessarily.. I simply figured it was the price I had to pay to keep from being sunburned.
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[cool][blue][size 1]Everytime I find a good one they discontinue it before I am ready to buy more. The best thing is to just go in and read the labels. Some special sports sunscreens advertise "no eye sting". There are also some kids products.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]I thought I would be smart and not apply sunscreen to my forehead once. Heck, I was wearing a hat. Right? And, if there was no sunscreen to mix with sweat and run into my eyes I should have it knocked. I didn't consider the reflection off the water and the occasional uptilt when I was not shaded from the sun. My pink forehead and white eyes (from the sunglasses) gave me an interesting appearance until after I peeled.[/size][/#0000ff]
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Finally, someone catching fish on Bear Lake. WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW?
Jim
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Thanks to all for the suggestions and opinions listed. I really appreciate it. I too have had the "smelly jelly" sandwich and that is part of my motivation to research alternatives. Good luck fishing to all this week.
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you could also wear surgical latex gloves, the little white ones doctors and now car mechanics wear I think you can pik em up at most any autozone type place anymore and maybe in the cleaning isle of the market.
Laters,
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[cool][blue][size 1]Hey guys, I got the letters in my alphabet soup mixed up. The stuff that makes your eyes burn is PABA...not PBF. It is actually a vitamin product, but serves to absorb ultraviolet rays in a sunscreen.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]Did some research and found a new Neutrogena product that is oil free, PABA free, scent free...but not FREE. It costs more, but should be worth it to folks who need what it offers.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Here is a link to a website that extols its virtues:[/size][/#0000ff]
[url "http://www.epinions.com/content_122447105668"][size 1]http://www.epinions.com/content_122447105668[/size][/url][size 1] [/size]
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