Nothing Beats DEET for Turning Off Bass

Researchers have shown that the human odor really has minimal effect on our favorite little green friends. If anything, the amino acid in human skin, L-serine, is slightly attractive to them. However, the active ingredient of insect repellent known as DEET is an altogether different story. Noted one researcher, "If you want to catch more fish than your buddy, just spray his baits with a little DEET."

It really doesn't take much more than simply touching a lure with DEET on your hands to contaminate it. This repellent's strength is evident in statements like this from researchers, "Though specifically made to repel insects, DEET repels just about everything that swims, crawls, flies, walks, or runs." They go on to say their work has determined that bass can detect DEET at concentrations of less than one part per million. And if you get any on your hands, the effects are long lasting--up to 90 minutes after the application.

Insect repellents, though, aren't the only thing that will turn fish off. Here are some other common culprits:

     * Sunscreen. The chemicals in sunscreens are truly offensive to bass. So if you use one, make sure you rinse your hands thoroughly afterward.

     * Fragrances. Many of the fragrances in soaps, for example, contain synthetic compounds, all of which are considered negative to fish.

     * Nicotine. Many an oldtime angler undoubtedly remembers hearing the myth that spitting a little tobacco on your lure makes it more appealing to the fish. The reality, however, is that tobacco is a negative factor.

     * Surfactants. Better known as detergents or soaps, these also are offensive to fish. Surfactants make oily substances soluble in water. Some are worse than others, but when mixed with water, they can do considerable damage to a fish's gills.

Other substances bass find offensive include many food and lotion preservatives, especially those derived from benzene.

On the other hand, some substances often thought of as offensive, such as gas and oil, have been found NOT to be repulsive to bass. Researchers have offered food dipped in straight oil to bass, only to watch them eat the coated morsel with no apparent reluctance or side effects.

And finally, what about the myth that WD-40 is an effective fish attractant? According to chemists, WD-40 at best is a masking agent...of both negative and positive odors and scents.