Speaking of bug spray - I just read that deet repels bass.

[Callin' In Slick]

As does the main ingredient in most sunscreens. If that is true, I am glad to know it because I've doused down pretty good with Off many times and I have no doubt it gets on my lures. I hope using wipes on my hands after spraying does the trick because I am a mosquito magnet. Anyone else ever heard this?

[TN_Bassin]

No, this is the first I've heard of it, but it does make sense. The smell of bug spray is not the most attractive of smells so the bass probably wouldn't eat a lure emmiting such a repulsive smell.

[Marty]

Anyone else ever heard this?

Yes. In his book, Knowing Bass, by Dr. Keith A. Jones, he mentions that the odor of DEET is one of the most repulsive to bass.

[Embrey]

thats interesting, since i caught quite a few fish with it last summer.

[bassinbob]

Embry, what types of lures were you using? Reaction or other?

[nofearengineer]

I was just thinking that, Bob...on a reaction bait, I can't imagine it would make much difference. But slow-crawling a jig, maybe you just put up with the skeeters.

[Embrey]

hmm...i never had a problem with either actually

[Justin2729]

Wow, Didn't know that guess ill have to figure out something else, Id rather have bugs than no bass!

[cassidyta]

Funny enough, I found that my finesse fishing improved each time that I fished with someone who didn't smoke on their boat. I suspect that the smoke and toboacco transferred from my hands to the bait.

[WaffleJaw]

Originally Posted by cassidyta

Funny enough, I found that my finesse fishing improved each time that I fished with someone who didn't smoke on their boat. I suspect that the smoke and toboacco transferred from my hands to the bait.

As a smoker myself and someone who uses mainly plastics..Im afraid Im rejecting fish due to scent....I read in a Bassmasters from the ''Uncle Homer articles about carrying and using baking soda to powder your hands with..It will mask the scents of amino acids and other things.
I havent tried it yet,but plan on it soon.

[CamG]

If you guys are looking for alternative, try getting original Listerine, and put it in a spray bottle. My gramps used to do this to keep skeeters off, and I still use it to this day. Seems to work, and I have noticed any negative effects on fishing. I also use his WD-40 method of scenting baits.

[bassnman30]

Try whipping (sp.) your hands with fish formula.

[WTL]

Wait, if it repels bass that means I can spray it on those who I fish with's lures, means more bass for me....

....interesting...

[muddy]

Originally Posted by WTL

Wait, if it repels bass that means I can spray it on those who I fish with's lures, means more bass for me....

....interesting...

I like that, Brooklyn Style!

That book by Dr.Jones was a little bit too much like Berkley Propaganda to me. This whole field of attractants and repellents is ripe with Snake Oil Salesman, leaving me not to know who to believe.

[screwballl]

its actually a nice surprise to know that smoke repels them.... but since I quit smoking, I will bring a cigar or two to help keep them away from me since I found deet does repel fish in general

[BassinNC]

I use a thermacell when fishing. Never have a bug problem and don't see how that would get on my baits. Any incite guys?

[MeanMouth]

Doesn't surprise me...If I were a bass, I too would avoid acid and chloride mixed together

[BeaverIslander]

Originally Posted by Marty

Yes. In his book, Knowing Bass, by Dr. Keith A. Jones, he mentions that the odor of DEET is one of the most repulsive to bass.

Very true. It also dispels the rumors that gasoline is the most repulsive scent, saying that Deet is instead, and that it can last for hours. The author alleges that he and other at the Berkley labs have caught fish on lures dipped in gas.

[screwballl]

has anyone used garlic juice? I've been hearing good things about it

[muddy]

There is a highly concetrated garlic oil product called JJ's Magic, the only magic it produces is money in the bank for JJ

[muddy]

Originally Posted by BeaverIslander

Very true. It also dispels the rumors that gasoline is the most repulsive scent, saying that Deet is instead, and that it can last for hours. The author alleges that he and other at the Berkley labs have caught fish on lures dipped in gas.

Funny thing about the jones book, just was in a long thread about this not long ago. I got to page 40 in the book, I went to look for the glossary and figured the refrence notations to be there, NOT ONE PEER REVIEWED ATICLE, then I see that he says caught bass will suspend off the bottom for up to 22 hours without hitting another bait.
I ahve personally caught a bass, during agrssive feeding times right back again ON THE SAME LURE. I caught a bass my buddy Ron missed, due to a poorly tied hook, I know it was that same bass b/c it had rons pumpkin seed worm still in his jaw, WITHIN THE SAME CAST

Then all the talk about how some scents will cause a bass to hold the bait in its mouth longer
IS THAT NOT ONE OF THE MAIN SELLING POINTS ON THE POWER BAIT PACKAGES
Owned by Berkley , who owns the research,labs and results Jones got

Page 40, these tidbits and I decided this was not for me, so I put it down like a bad romance novel

[TN_Bassin]

Originally Posted by BeaverIslander

Very true. It also dispels the rumors that gasoline is the most repulsive scent, saying that Deet is instead, and that it can last for hours. The author alleges that he and other at the Berkley labs have caught fish on lures dipped in gas.

So he admitted in a publication that he violated probably a hundred enviromental and federal laws??? Heard anything from him since?