Does bug spray affect the fish bite?

[SDSOONER]

Just curious if anyone has any thoughts on whether or not bug spray can prevent fish from biting your lure/bait ? 

[.ghoti.]

I've always operated on the assumption that it would negatively effect the bite. I have no data to back this opinion, other than the fact that I hate the taste of it myself.

[run23]

50 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

I've always operated on the assumption that it would negatively effect the bite. I have no data to back this opinion, other than the fact that I hate the taste of it myself.

Same. Always just figured a deet scent can't help. 

[flyingmonkie]

I'd guess negligible impact, if at all.  Bass use smell much less than their other senses.  If it has enough on it that a bass could taste it after biting, I'd expect her to spit it out quickly.  

Spray it on you... not your lure.

[j bab]

24 minutes ago, flyingmonkie said:

 Spray it on you... not your lure.

Seriously... And if it does get on your lure just cover it up with some spike it or whatever else

[Bluebasser86]

I believe it does, and if you believe it effects your fishing, it's going to effect your fishing. 

[j bab]

4 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I believe it does, and if you believe it effects your fishing, it's going to effect your fishing. 

Good point. Don't let bug spray mess up your confidence. Change the lure out if you have to. Ideally though, you shouldn't be getting bug spray on your lures, and it can't be good for your equipment either 

[Catt]

Uh no!

i spray it on me before I leave home; round here bugs stop after daylight. It's the last thing I do before getting in the truck & wash my hands ivory soap.

[Sam]

Interesting question.

I read about a study where gasoline on plastics did not defer the bass bite.

Then there is Dr. Keith Jones of Pure Fishing/Berkley Fishing who says molecules have to be a specific size for the bass to pick them up for taste and smell and he has run some interesting tests using different flavors and then noting the bass' response to each. The chemicals with the largest molecules did not do well in the tests.

As for me, anything that is not designed for bass fishing does not touch my baits, including the residue from my lunch's ham sandwich.

Of course you know that when you apply your bug spray try to note which way the wind is blowing so you won't contaminate your baits, especially those that are hanging on your stored rods on the deck.

So slather up, hit the water and have a fun time.

 

[BareHook]

I don't know about bug spray, but I've found sun screen can adversely affect a bite and will even kill off live bait if it's on your hands and you reach into a livewell.

[CenCal fisher]

I don't think bug spray really does much to adversely affect the fish bite. I make sure not to directly spray it on any lures, but that's about it. I swell up really bad from bug bites so if the bugs are out I have bug spray on. 

[Deleted account]

Yes, but not as bad as sun block or gasoline. They like salt, garlic, anise and WD40.

[Red Bear]

bugs rarely decide to bother me for some reason, so i hardly ever use bug spray to notice myself. for some reason i dont get poison ivy/oak either though....

[ethan-333]

yes. without it im going home

[Darren.]

Well, I can tell you it didn't seem to bother
the fish last night. I was fishing a pond at a
soccer complex while one of my boys was
at tryouts.

I used a Deep Woods bug wipe. My left hand
was greasy with the residue and I couldn't 
get it off me very easily. I sprayed one of my
soft plastics with Bang to kill the scent, caught
a small bass around a pound give or take.

Then I threw a 4" junebug senko w/o scent spray.
Caught a 2 pounder...so make of it what you will.