In the latest Vast Overland video, Daniel was razzing Eduardo about not wearing sunscreen. It was a funny moment, but it got me wondering—could sunscreen actually hurt your chances of catching fish?
After some reading, the answer is: yes, especially in murky water where fish rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food.
If you put on chemical sunscreen and then handle your bait, lures, or leader without washing your hands, you may be leaving behind a chemical “warning flag” that fish can smell. And in dirty water, where vision is limited, that smell matters even more.
So while Daniel’s jab was all in good fun, Eduardo might have unintentionally been playing the long game in the bite department.
After some reading, the answer is: yes, especially in murky water where fish rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food.
What the research says
- Common chemical sunscreens often contain oxybenzone (BP‑3), octinoxate, or older filters like PABA. These compounds have strong chemical signatures in the water that fish can detect at incredibly low concentrations (Fondriest Environmental, ScienceDirect).
- Studies show that oxybenzone exposure can change fish behavior, causing them to feed less, move less, and avoid certain areas.
- In low-visibility water, like much of the Texas coast and marsh systems, scent is a primary feeding cue for species like redfish, drum, and trout. A chemical residue on your bait or lure can be the difference between a strike and a pass.
Why this matters for anglers
If you put on chemical sunscreen and then handle your bait, lures, or leader without washing your hands, you may be leaving behind a chemical “warning flag” that fish can smell. And in dirty water, where vision is limited, that smell matters even more.
What to do instead
- Choose unscented mineral-based sunscreen (non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) — far less likely to repel fish (Beachapedia, NOAA).
- Apply it before you hit the water and wash your hands with unscented soap before touching gear.
- Wear UPF clothing to cut down how much sunscreen you need.
- If you’re paranoid about scent transfer, hit your hands with fish attractant after applying sunscreen.
So while Daniel’s jab was all in good fun, Eduardo might have unintentionally been playing the long game in the bite department.
