Does Mosquito Repellant Scare Bass?

[RoLo]

Since I stopped using DEET as a bass attractant,

I haven't noticed any decline in my catch rate  

(little curve ball there)

Roger

[hatrix]

Who really knows. On the days they almost jump in the boat DEET, sunscreen, WD40, gasoline are all clearly a attractant. On the days you can't buy a bite I can gurantee you didn't catch them because of the DEET, gas, WD40, ect and its a repellent.

I catch my fair share of fish and honestly I am never super worried about my hands. In the end everyone's hands should smell like fish anywaus right? I smoke while I fish and that would be the only thing I ever think about. But I don't really putch much stock in that anyways. I can't even count how many monsters I have had rock my bait with a cigarette hanging out my mouth. In the end the smell of fish probably overpowers everything.

[hawgenvy]

It keeps the mosquitoes away, and they can carry some nasty viruses. You should definitely use Off or whatever, man!  Just wash your hands well in soapy water after applying -- before you touch your gear.

[webertime]

I believe scent deterrents are dependent on the specific population.  A bass in a local park pond already is battered by a billion different smells/chemicals.  From run off to sun lotion to animals to humans and the scents on us... etc.  So they are literally born into an environment that is almost overwhelming as far as scents go.  However, if you are fishing in a pristine area, or at least a very very low traffic area where the only scents are related to the wildlife around/in the water then there are fewer scents, therefore something like deet or lotion or fabric softener or deodorant will more likely stand out as something foreign.  Something foreign is usually a treat and that's not the attention you want your bait to have.   So to me it comes down to this...  if it is a variable that potentially can have a negative impact on my productivity and I can remove it, I will.   Occam's Razor.

[.ghoti.]

I don't believe bass think about it much. Mosquitoes don't bother them, so they don't have to use it.

[RoLo]

Before WD40 was introduced, my favorite bass attractant was DDT    

[Bobby Uhrig]

Hmmmm science -what to say -what to say.

[tholmes]

I don't use any repellent. Skeeters just don't like the way I smell, I guess.

 

DEET is some nasty stuff. A friend of mine got some on a guitar that was finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and it literally dissolved the finish in a few spots.

 

Tom

[Fishing Rhino]

I've never been bothered by mosquitos on the water.  Been there before daylight and 'til sunset.  At the ramp, yes, but on the water no.

 

Could be wrong, but mosquitoes are attracted to heat, and maybe carbon dioxide.  Human body temp is 98.6, dogs just over a hundred if memory serves. and the other warm blooded creatures that attract mosquitos are not naturally found on the water.  Well, maybe waterfowl, gulls and terns, etc. 

 

Haven't been bothered by bugs on Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick, and KY lakes on the road trips, nor have any of those who fished with me.  Same for West Point and a couple of other places in GA.

 

Here at home, more of the same.  Don't carry any bug repellent on the boat.  Neither do the friends I've fished with.

 

I remember when I was a kid fishing from the bank getting attacked.  I'm thankful that I haven't had that experience in years.

[HoosierHawgs]

I've never been bothered by mosquitos on the water. Been there before daylight and 'til sunset. At the ramp, yes, but on the water no.

Could be wrong, but mosquitoes are attracted to heat, and maybe carbon dioxide. Human body temp is 98.6, dogs just over a hundred if memory serves. and the other warm blooded creatures that attract mosquitos are not naturally found on the water. Well, maybe waterfowl, gulls and terns, etc.

Haven't been bothered by bugs on Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick, and KY lakes on the road trips, nor have any of those who fished with me. Same for West Point and a couple of other places in GA.

Here at home, more of the same. Don't carry any bug repellent on the boat. Neither do the friends I've fished with.

I remember when I was a kid fishing from the bank getting attacked. I'm thankful that I haven't had that experience in years.

Yeah they are pretty thick up in the reeds on the bank. When the sun for down, they come out!

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Like bluebasser said i rather cover up and sweat then have any chemical on me.besides that i have used it all and all i have found to work is skin so soft.i do put on the outside of my hat though and make a mix of it with water and spray my shoes.and wash my hands really good after that.