Tag: fishing bloopers

Can You Use WD-40 On Fishing Line and Lures?

Fishermen will try some pretty fantastic things to gain an edge out there on the water, including using a common household item in some very interesting ways. Some fishermen use WD-40 to clean their reels, others spray it on their fishing line, and many even swear it works if you spray it on lures as a fish attractant. The question, though, is are these people onto something, or just nuts?

While I’m not going to claim to be a scientist or lawyer, I did some research for this article and concluded that you’re better off just buying a dedicated reel cleaner, line spray or fish attractant. That way you don’t have to worry about damaging your gear, polluting your lake, or suffering legal consequences.

I would be very happy to find that none of my readers continued using WD-40 as a fish attractant, line conditioner, or reel cleaner after reading this post. Let’s explore why.

Is It Illegal to Use WD-40 on Fishing Lures?

From what I can tell, it depends, but I sure wouldn’t risk it. Some people have reported receiving very hefty fines for being caught using WD-40 on their fishing lures, whereas other state governments are apparently fine with it (source). Bear in mind that just because a state government is OK with something doesn’t make it a good idea.

You would probably want to consult with a licensed legal professional to see if it is legal in your neck of the woods, or on a particular water body. In fact, if you read Section 311 (b) (1) of the Clean Water Act, it would seem it is illegal to use WD-40 in “navigable waters:”

“(b)(1) The Congress hereby declares that it is the policy of the
United States that there should be no discharges of oil or hazardous
substances into or upon the navigable waters of the United
States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous
zone, or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, or
which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to,
or under the exclusive management authority of the United States
(including resources under the Fishery Conservation and Management
Act of 1976).”

I’m certainly not a lawyer and can’t give legal advice. However, when I read that law quoted above, “no discharges of oil” is pretty clear to me. I’d avoid using WD-40 on fishing lures as some sort of “attractant.”

Even if it wasn’t illegal, why would you want to willingly and deliberately introduce a petroleum-based chemical into your waterway? Isn’t there enough pollution in this world without you adding to it just to catch a fish? It hardly strikes me as a good thing, and I’d urge you not to do it. Fishermen are the best and the worst conservationists out there. Which half do you belong to?

Does WD-40 Work as a Fish Attractant?

One reason people put WD-40 on their fishing lures is because they think it attracts fish. Apparently, people have been using WD-40 as a fish attractant for decades, and several swear by it. Judging by forum responses it seems that people think salmon,lake trout, and catfish like it particularly well.

While I can’t find an actual scientific study with control groups to comment on if WD-40 actually attracts fish, I think it is at least fair to say that it doesn’t appear to be a deterrent, as it has seemed to have worked for many anglers over the years.

It appears that it was used more frequently as an attractant “in the old days.” We’ve come quite a way since then. Today, most people generally frown on directly polluting our lakes and rivers and I would hope you share that opinion. Even if this stuff did work as an attractant, it’s not worth the impact to the environment.

The WD-40 company has directly stated that they don’t recommend using their product as a fish attractant. I’d urge you to take their advice on this.

It needs to be said, again and repeatedly, that WD-40 is a pollutant. Even if it does work as an attractant, you shouldn’t use it. There are plenty of other safe attractants out there that people have confidence in. I would recommend Gulp! Alive! Attractant as I routinely use their minnows that are soaked in the same stuff and find they work great. The bottom line is there is no need to stoop to polluting the water ways to catch a fish when there are purpose-made products available for the task.

Also, if you’re new to the sport, bear in mind that attractants aren’t some magic shortcut. Invest some time in yourself and learn a few new techniques. You’ll be better off than risking fines or worse by spraying this product on your lures.

Will WD-40 Damage Fishing Line?

From what I can tell this is another one of those “it depends” answers. WD-40 has a chemical composition that is going to break down or weaken certain objects and have absolutely no effect on others. Depending on your fishing line’s composition or formula, spraying WD-40 on it could cause just about anything could happen.

I’ve seen many people make the argument that it should be just fine for most monofilament. They argue that since this type of line is made out of much the same stuff as gas cans, a petroleum-based product shouldn’t harm it.

People are less certain about different types of braid, especially those that are coated with various materials. It’s tough to say how WD-40 might affect those.

Regardless, it is important to remember–again–that it is a pollutant. If you are spraying WD-40 on your fishing line to try and keep it supple, and then cast that fishing line into the water, you are polluting your local waterway. You are making the water less safe and enjoyable for others around you, including your children. Even if you feel the impact is negligible, it is more than necessary.

There are plenty of other great products out there for keeping your monofilament and fluorocarbon lines. I’ve used Line & Lure Conditioner Kevin VanDam’s 4oz Spray and feel it works well for keeping my line supple and reducing memory. Some people claim it adds distance to their cast which makes sense, but I haven’t noticed this. It might just be that I haven’t really paid attention to it though. Both are better options than dousing your fishing line in WD-40 and polluting your waterways!

Can I Use WD-40 to Clean My Fishing Reel?

It does seem that just about every potential application for WD-40 receives vigorous debate on the fishing forums. This question is no different. Some people recommend lightly wiping down the exterior of your fishing reels with WD-40, especially after using them near salt water, while others complain that it will eventually gum up on your reels and collect dirt.

People do seem to at least agree this should be for external use only, and never for greasing any internal components of the reels. This is because fishing reels rely on proper lubrication, and even though WD-40 is often mistaken as a lubricant, it can break down the different chemicals and solutions necessary to keep your reel working properly.

About the only thing I can conclusively say is that if done correctly, at least this will not harm the environment because your reel should (ideally at least) never be submerged in the lake, river, pond or ocean.

All in all, I don’t see a reason to use WD-40. Several companies make purpose-made reel cleaners (such as Ardent Reel Kleen Cleaner, 16-Ounce) that you know will work without damaging your reel.

Conclusions: Save It for the Squeaky Hinges

Look, I’m as big a believer as the next guy in WD-40 and Duct Tape being all you need to fix life’s problems, but the bottom line is we’re talking about a pollutant here that could be introduced into a waterway, and could potentially damage your gear as well. Why do either?

You could definitely find people who would disagree with everything I’ve said here. That’s the nature of life and especially the internet. But FishingFather is a site designed to help parents take their kids out fishing. One of the main reasons I want more parents to do that is so that there are future stewards of conservationism and the environment.

It would be completely against the spirit of this site to take a kid out fishing and then teach them to spray their lures down with WD-40, or any other pollutant, so I hope you’ll stick to the commercial, environmentally-friendly sprays out there.

Again, Line & Lure Conditioner Kevin VanDam’s 4oz Spray, Ardent Reel Kleen Cleaner, 16-Ounce, and a host of fish attractants are all better products for fishing. Consider purchasing them instead.

Another item you might consider picking up at Amazon is my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. While it won’t discuss the wonders of WD-40, it does provide several useful tips for fishing with children.

Remember, scents aren’t a magic bullet. If you’re looking for some help catching more fish, purchase the book above, or check out the following articles on my website:

I’d argue that you’d get much more use out of spending your time reading these articles than heading off to the hardware store for a can of WD-40!

I hope this article was helpful. If it was, please consider sharing it so it can help others. You can also follow FishingFather on Facebook to keep in touch with new content and fishing reports.

Thanks,

John Paxton

The Stupidest Fishing Mistakes I’ve Ever Made

Fishing gets me excited. So excited, in fact, that I sometimes forget to bring any common sense whatsoever along for the trip. This has led me to make many mistakes over the years, a few of which I think are pretty novel.

If you’re interested in “common” fishing mistakes, like using old line, you’re in the wrong place. This article is just for the true doozies. So, without further delay, I proudly submit to you the absolute stupidest things I’ve ever made while fishing:

Not Taking Off the Hook’s Storage Tube

It’s a simple little problem but a critical one. Many spinnerbaits and other lures are sold with plastic tubes over their hooks to prevent little kids from turning your local store’s sporting goods aisle into a blood bath.

Just in case it isn’t obvious, you need to remove that plastic before you start casting your lures. Otherwise, you might find a curiously large amount of fish “shake off.”

You can pull off these tubes with pliers though I find it easier to use my fishing scissors to cut them off.

Trusting the Weatherman Even Though He’s Trying to Kill Me

Most people would say that a common fishing mistake is failing to watch the weather report. I’d argue that a worse mistake is trusting it.

I’ve long been of the opinion that you don’t get to graduate school and become a weatherman until you’ve killed at least three fishermen. I find their reports totally unreliable, especially if they’re covering large counties with their broadcast.

You can count on adding at least 10 mph to any wind report, and need to realize that in weatherman parlance, the “light” in “light showers” really stands for “lightning.”

You’re much better off taking along a cellphone or other connected device and checking the actual radar map yourself to see what is on your way.

Storing Crankbaits in a Sandwich Bag

This one has to take the cake. I wish I could take credit for it, but it’s actually one a fishing partner keeps making. For some reason my dad has an infatuation with plastic storage bags and other containers. He’s like the zip-lock king in our parts, and puts everything he can think of into one of these bags, including crankbaits.

Don’t get me wrong–I’m not knocking the product. These bags work really well for most things. I would, however, submit that they aren’t the best choice for storing your crankbaits, especially if you’re going to put the bag inside of your pocket.

The plastic doesn’t hold up very well to the treble hooks and so I’ve spent a fair amount of time helping Dad get a hook out of his finger because of this unique storage system of his.

Shocking as it may be, storing crankbaits in thin plastic bags is ill-advised.

Forgetting My Boat’s on Wheel Chocks

My driveway is on a slight hill. If I back my boat in and don’t spend a ton of time getting the tarp just right, rain will collect in my bilge and can’t escape. So, when I’m feeling lazy or don’t have a lot of time, I just pull the boat in forward with the truck and call it a day.

Even though I’m pretty sure it would be fine left connected to the trailer hitch, I do like to take the precaution of adding some wheel chocks in case someone tries to disconnect it without thinking.

I think this is a good idea, but the key to it is you need to remember the chocks are there. Otherwise, you look really stupid trying to back your boat up when it’s time to go fishing, and could potentially ruin your trailer tires if you force it past (and crush) the chock.

Forgetting the Worms with a Four-Year-Old

If you forget the worms by yourself, you get to show off how great you are at catching fish with artificial lures for the day. If you forget the worms with a four-year-old in tow, you spend the entire day apologizing for “ruining their life.”

Of course, it’s not just the worms. I’ve also forgotten the boat keys once, my tackle box, the rod I really wanted, the sunscreen, etc. It’s especially easy to forget something with kids because you’re in such a rush all the time trying to get them ready.

About the only thing you can do is to try and pack up as much as you can the night before so you aren’t rushed in the morning and forget something important.

If you forget these, your child will never let you live it down.

Forgetting to Bring in the Buoys

Buoys are a good thing. They help prevent dock rash and tossing them in gives smaller children something they can help with. You just need to remember to bring them back into the boat before you hit the throttle, or they’re going to throw up a spray that soaks anything and anyone sitting towards the back.

This isn’t that big of a deal on a hot summer day but could ruin your passenger’s day or even make your boat very dangerous in colder weather, especially if there is a chance that ice can form.

Not Zipping Up My Jacket

I was once on a fishing charter in terrible weather on Lake Champlain. I was confident that I could deal with it as I had great rain gear. Unfortunately I didn’t zip it up and got soaked on the ride from Plattsburgh to the Gut.

This was all the more terrible because it was October at the time. It’s definitely not a mistake you want to make! Make sure your rain gear is worn correctly and properly zipped!

Dropping My Reel (But Somehow, Not the Rod) in the Lake

Reels can work their way out of the reel seat over time. It’s a good idea to check the connection before each trip and to tighten it if need be. If you don’t, you might go to cast and find that your entire reel flings towards the abyss.

If you were fishing with strong line and took the time to tie a good arbor or uni knot to the reel seat, you might get the reel back, but it’s going to take you a while as you’re going to have to drag it back in slowly by hand. Trust me, it’s not that quick to bring in 150-200 yards of line.

Burning Myself on the Boat

Bear in mind that the little metal hinges and screws that comprise your storage compartments get exceptionally hot during the summer. Forget this while wearing shorts at your peril.

This seems to be a bigger problem on boats with full-vinyl floors because there isn’t any carpet that might give a little bit of cover over the hinges. In fact, the vinyl itself on these boats can get quite hot so you will want to consider bringing along some beach towels for your kids or pets to sit on if you’re taking them out in a boat equipped this way.

These metal hinges will get you on a hot day!

Forgetting to Tighten the Rod Holder

Rod holders are awesome, if you install them correctly. Some allow you to adjust their angle, which is great, but the way they allow you to do this is by loosening them so you can position them as needed. If you forget to tighten them afterwards, a large fish will remind you.

Luckily this only happened on my dock, so I was able to retrieve the rod quickly, saving it and the fish, but if it happened in deeper water on my boat, I would have lost an expensive set up and the fish would have lost its life (it’s kind of hard to hunt while dragging around a 7′ fishing rod).

Forgetting to Take Off the Boat Straps

Everyone’s going to tell you not to forget to put in the plug, but I’ve got one better – don’t forget to take off the tie-down straps! These are designed to keep your boat safely on the trailer over bumpy roads but also do a great job of keeping it on the trailer while you’re trying to launch it!

If you keep on backing and backing and your boat keeps getting deeper but isn’t really going anywhere, you might have forgotten to unstrap it. This is a good thing to realize before you swamp your car or get your trailer stuck past the ramp.

Be careful with how you attempt to correct this, because if there was any play at all the boat may have slid back a foot or so and could be balanced awkwardly. Pulling it all the way out of the water could make a silly mistake even worse.

Removing these straps is a key step in the boat-launching process.

Forgetting Minnows in the Car

I once bought a bucket of minnows and decided to put it on the floor by the front passenger seat, “to be safe.” I then took a corner too fast and had two dozen minnows flopping around on the floor.

I only cleaned up 18.

I realized this error a few hundred-degree days later when an overpowering stench reeked from my truck. I pulled back the floor mat and found a mush that was once the other 6 fish.

Thank goodness it was a lease.

Turning Too Tight With the Trailer

Ever notice those “Caution: Wide-Right Turns” signs on tractor trailers? The same concept applies to you now that you’re towing around a boat. Make sure that you take your corners wide or you’re going to wind up with a new mailbox.

Attempting to Launch a Boat by Myself With a Weak Clip

So a good way to launch a boat by yourself is to get some strong dock line with a mooring hook, and then to clip the mooring hook to your boat’s tow eye and wrap the other to your trailer before backing up. The boat will float off the trailer and the dockline will keep it nearby so you can pull it where needed.

A bad way to launch a boat by yourself is to get some dock line with a simple snap hook and try to do the same thing. That snap hook will do just that – snap! – and you’re taking a swim.

Connect the hook on the left to your boat’s tow eye – never the hook on the right (well, unless you want to go swimming, anyway).

Don’t Learn the Hard Way

There’s a host of other stupid things that you can do while fishing and you’re going to make plenty of mistakes. While this article was written to have a little fun at my own expense, not all mistakes are humorous – there are others that can be deadly.

If you’re new to fishing or boating in general, please consider reading my article on Safety Tips for Fishing With Kids. In it, you’ll find some other mistakes that I’ve seen people make (or almost made myself), such as failing to wear their kill switch, or getting snagged on a trotline.

You also might want to read my article on How to Buy a Boat for Your Family Without Losing Sleep. There’s a section towards the end called “Fun” Surprise Boating Expenses where I talk about some other mistakes I made during my early years of boat ownership. It could save you a lot of money.

As for the dumb little things I’ve discussed in this article? Well, if you make them yourself, then you just need to be able to laugh about it as it’s all part of the process and makes for a fun memory… Eventually.

While I’m pretty good at laughing at myself (just look at the cover photo), I hope you don’t have to. If this article gives you a few ideas of what you shouldn’t do, I’ll be happy.

As always, if you found this article helpful please share it so it can help others (and if you’ve done something dumber, please leave a comment and share it with the world)!

Thanks,

John Paxton