With fish being sensitive to odors I thought I'd pass along an amusing post from another board that might help you catch more fish. The post talks about sunscreen scents. This is a post by a fisherwoman with over 50 years experience whose knowledge I respect:
"I have always used Dr.Evyan's White Shoulders perfume or any of the white Shoulder fragrances. He has since died and Parfum International took over his formulas and they aren't quite as good, but they do still work. My mother taught me this in the early 50's. She and I always had good luck and the men were too afraid to try it. We have always gone fishing with white shoulders smeared on our hands.

One other positive fragrance I have noticed by accident is a sunscreen called Shade 45, by Coppertone. That seems to have pronounced results when fresh on your hands.

The guys always say I am cheating, but it all works for whatever reason. You are either disguising your odors or giving the fish an odor that they like."

Look for Dr.Evyan's White Shoulders perfume at a tackle store near you! Lol. By the way, I've also heard that Edge shave gel repels the fish bite and WD-40 attracts fish. How about Dr.Evyan's WD-40 cologne for men? Lol!

Most of you probably do this but it has also helped me to wash my hands in the sea water/sand and then also use scent attractant oils on my hands before rigging and baiting up. Somedays when my girlfriend is catching more fish than yours truly, I just wonder if she is wearing some kind of secret weapon perfume. Anyone ever notice some interesting scents that attract or repel fish?

Interesting post. I always use scent on my lures and on my hands.

I have heard of WD-40 being an effective scent for some species, but it may not be legal or wise because its use results in a petroleum product being released into the water.

Trivia question for those who read this reply: what does WD-40 stand for? This is a genuine question, not a joke. If the question is not answered correctly, and if anyone requests it, I will post the answer tommorow or the next day.

Salmonoid, WD-40 stands for:
Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try. Believe it or not. My dad told me that a long time ago but alot of people have no idea what it means. It took those guys 40 times before they got it right. Crazy but true. Good one.

P.S. Is it illegal to use WD-40 as a bait enhancement? I use it on my Power Bait or Sierra Gold and it works great for me. If it is, there are a few game wardens and park staff that are unaware or don't care. Never say a word to me.


GO BRUINS....GO RAMS....GO FISHING....!!!!
FLOWING THROUGH MY VEINS!!!!

GO BRUINS....GO RAMS....GO FISHING....!!!!
FLOWING THROUGH MY VEINS!!!!

I heard that WD-40 was orignally made with Menhaden oil as on of its contents but when the Menhaden (AKA Bunker, Pogies,etc.) crashed (much like our Sardines), they had to go to all Petroleum oils. They tried to make the new formula as close to the original as possible, hence, even with petroleum you still can attract fish. They kept the WD-40 for the trademark and product recognition, even though it's now revision 41 or higher.

Tight lines,
Wade

Tight lines,
Wade

I do not know if statewide DFG cares about the use of WD-40. I am just concerned that there may be a water-quality issue regarding local jurisdictions'regulations about release of a petroleum distillate in certain bodies of water. I wish I knew the answer.

I do not object to others using WD-40, especially in larger bodies of water where the petroleum distillate release from WD-40 would be insignificant compared to incidental release from the use of gas motors. And, I use a gas as well as an electric motor.

I hope that someone can answer this important question for you.

I suspect that water-quality officials are not aware of the angling use of WD-40, so they probably have not even thought to prohibit it.

Let me tell you a little something about sunscreen... Sunscreen is the enemy. Remove all traces of it from your hands before touching any of your line, lure, guides or reel. I remember getting skunked at margarita for about 7 hours until I realized I had sunscreen all over my hands, so I rubbed bass feast on my lure and about a foot of line above it and got bit within 5 minutes, no bullsheet. When I saw that big fish at the casitas the other day, and was deadsticking for an hour and a half, I decided to put on sunscreen, and before touching anything else, made sure to wash my hands and get rid of all the sunscreen. I hate sunscreen. During tournaments I only apply sunscreen if I absolutely have to. So, that's my ranting on the evils of sunscreen.
-Brian

Ask your fishing buddy to apply it for you (kidding) I apply it before I leave in the morning and wash my hands very well. If on the boat I use the same non-scented soap I use when I deer hunt. It's made especially for NON-SCENT situations. (Which I also use to clean my glasses with after salt spots cover them mid-day.

That's thinking ahead, I'll have to try those non-scented hunting soaps. Any particular brand that's good? Just goes to show, you learn something new everyday.

Ok Salmonoid, what's the WD-40 answer?

MVBRUIN1 got the right answer: "Water displacement formula #40"

Brian is right, as usual. I apply lots of the strongest SPF sunscreen available just before I leave the house, put on a wide-brim hat, scrub my hands thoroughly, and then leave to go fishing. I then apply no more sunscreen for the rest of the fishing day. After handling my motor and fueltank etc. just before rigging my terminal gear and making my first cast I apply scent to my hands and swimbait.
I then try not to directly touch anything that might deter fish for the rest of the fishing day. If I do touch something I apply scent to my hands again.

These are just my scentiments; I could be wrong.