Sunscreen And Bass Fishing

[hoosierbass07]

 I took my kayak out fishing for the first time yesterday.  It was a nice sunny day.  I had a hat on but I didn't have any sunscreen on.  I didn't get sunburned as I tried to stay in the shade mostly.  Also I didn't spend too long on the water.  

 

 Anyway, I bought some sunscreen and I'm going to use it but I'm wondering - does putting on sunscreen and having it on your hands have any effect on bass fishing, say getting sunscreen on your hand and then putting a plastic worm on a hook, if a little sunscreen rubs off on the worm, will that keep the bass away?  

 

 Thanks

[BassObsessed]

It may depend on the situation but alot of places I fish it has no effect on how they bite.

[WRB]

Skin cancer can and does kill a lot of people every year.

The best way to apply a good sun SPF 30+ sunscreen is before you leave to go fishing. Wear wide brim hat and SPF clothing to cover as much skin as possible. Reapply sunscreen as needed about every 2-3 hours during mid day bright sun.

Does sunscreen on lures turn off bass? Does it matter? If this worries you than keep a small spray bottle of green soap and a wash rage in the boat and wash your hands after applying the sunscreen. You should wash your hands after handling fish attractants. Wash with soap and rinse with lake water.

Tom

[MassBass]

I think its best to apply in the bathroom before you go out. Then you can just wash your hands if your paranoid of traces of the smell on your lures.

[Wayne P.]

No, sunscreen does not bother bass. 

 

I did a test a few years ago with several substances that were supposed to cause bass to reject a lure.

One of them was Coppertone Sport sunscreen SPF 50. 

Someone was with me and we used the sunscreen on plastic worms all day. I think the total catch for that day is 65 bass. We we not fishing for laboratory bass, just wild, public water bass.

 

It makes a difference if you think it does, and doesn't make any difference if you think it doesn't.

[papajoe222]

Just remember that if you apply before you get on the water, you'll need to reapply at some point depending on the SPF rating.  An application of 50 SPF will protect you longer than say 30 SPF, but one application of either won't last all day.  I've gone to using a wide rimmed hat, buff and shirt formulated to protect against exposure.  My hands are basically the only area exposed and I use a sport stick for that area as I can apply it without getting it on my palms.

The problem with sun screen isn't as much as it may put the fish off, with me it makes my grip slippery especially if I'm sweating.

[Bluebasser86]

If you're really worried about it you can always add some Megastrike or other scent to your bait after applying sunblock. I wear sunblock all year long and don't have any problem catching fish. 

[Missourifishin]

They should make a crawfish scented sunscreen

[aceman387]

Research different brands on the internet and look for a sunscreen with safe ingredients because some brands have chemicals in them that may promote skin cancer.

[starcraft1]

Great question and thanks for all the info. After 34 yrs. in const. and some 50+ yrs. on the water, I've been looking into a good sunscreen that didn't affect the fish. I also read the studies about how it did affect bass and I'm glad to hear the "other side of the story"

Thanks again, I'll do some more research on sunscreens.

[*Hootie]

They should make a crawfish scented sunscreen

You would probably have to fish alone for sure.....lol.

Hootie

[Wayne P.]

Research different brands on the internet and look for a sunscreen with safe ingredients because some brands have chemicals in them that may promote skin cancer.

Oxybenzone - this is a hormone disrupting chemical which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream. It is the most popular ingredient in chemical based sunscreens and only blocks UVB ray (sun’s good rays that provide vitamin D production), not UVA which are the most free radical damaging rays.  Avoid any sunscreen that has this chemical at all costs, especially for children.

[aavery2]

Bull Frog SPF 50 quick gel, made by a fisherman for fisherman.

[slainempire]

i wore sunscreen and was standing right in the susquehanna river and caught 12 nice smallies, lost a handful more crankbaiting. they didnt seem to mind i was wearing it.

[geo g]

I have had some sunscreens that stained my clothing.  White shirts came out yellow where it made contact with the sunscreen.  Do you have a sunscreen that will not stain clothing?  What is the best on the market?

[michang5]

http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/

Great resource to find good sunscreen. Badger is usually the most readily available brand that passes EWG muster.

[Boomer_bassin]

I'm a little biased to Coppertone myself, of course I make it for a living. I put it on my kids and no I don't get it for free. If the oxybenzone worries you we make lotions without it. I personally prefer the Sport Continuous Spray spf 50, it goes on fast and is easy to reapply without getting it on your hands

[5fishlimit]

With the availability of the spray on sunscreen the concern of getting it on your hands is minimal.

There are a lot of great options available.

[Smokinal]

I'm wicked paranoid about scents and smells on my baits when using soft plastics. I'm very fussy about how they are rigged as well (straight on hook etc..) but thats another talkshow. I'll give you all one of my very best tips about smells on your hands. I keep a ziplock sammich bag with baking soda in it on the boat at all times. Every trip, after launching and after getting my rods from the locker, but before touching any baits, I dip my hands in the lake, dip them in the baking soda, then scrub them out over the water then rinse in the lake. Call it a superstition, whatever.. it makes me confident that I'm as scent free as possible.

I also repeat this after applying sunscreen too. Then the Megastrike comes out...

[CDMeyer]

I read in his book that Shaw Grigsby says the fish notice it but he always wears it but just washes his hands before handling tackle..... I never used to wear it because we went to Florida in the spring and then I would never burn all summer up here in Wisconsin, but fishing everyday last summer I noticed I started to get more freckles..... well my mom informed me that you do not have to get burned to have the sun harm your skin, skin cancer cans till devolve without burning..... I now wear sunscreen everyday I go fishing, plus it does not limited my fishing (by having to stay in the shade)

If I was you I would definitely wear it.....

[Jar11591]

They should make a crawfish scented sunscreen

Problem solved.

[Bankbeater]

I always seem to catch bass after I put sunscreen on.  I think it has something to do with hiding my scent, but I wouldn't swear on it.

[hoosierbass07]

After being out in my kayak three times this weekend I know now sunscreen is a must. Also I've been getting bit by mosquitoes.

[DILLY07]

I dont use sunscreen, I get tan very easy. Comes from the family. If its very buggy out, I'll use Absorbine Jr first before using my reels or lures.

[200racing]

With the availability of the spray on sunscreen the concern of getting it on your hands is minimal.

There are a lot of great options available.

yep i use spray spf 50. i just make a fist before i spray and dont get in on my palms.