FS Digest

So I've never really went fishing voluntarily, it's always been with either my dad, or friends who want to go but I didn't really partake for 1 simple reason... I hate the smell of fish. Lately I've been playing this game call Fishing Planet, a fishing simulator as I never thought i'd want to go in real life.

Long story short, i'm hooked on fishing and find it to be awesome.. But I need some help with one thing. I can't stand the smell of fish. It's not so much touching them, just the smell is one of the worst in the world for my nose apparently. Any way I can get past this obstacle and be able to truly enjoy fishing?

People have recommended getting gloves, and i'm down, but do all you people who are out fishing judge people like us? I'm just trying to enjoy myself, as i've been down in the slumps bad the past 2 months, life has been bland and I find no enjoyment in much anymore. I threw a line in over the weekend, and got a fish almost instantly and ever since i've been wanting to go in real life and it completely turned everything around. Before you ask, I tied the knot to the hook wrong, and my worm and hook both got taken instantly, but seeing the fish break the surface was awesome, and kept me going for the next 3 hours until dark without even a bite at all.

I now know the reason why I didn't get any bites after that is my fault, because I didn't know how to set up a worm and what not. But i've done loads of research the past couple days and will be getting all my tackle and stuff on Thursday morning before heading out for 3 days.

I'm set on getting over this obstacle. Any info is helpful, thanks guys.

EDIT: TLDR; I can't stand the smell of fish. What is the best way to fish, without getting that smell all over me, and without looking stupid in front of other people in public?

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by NhStoner

FS Digest

Honestly man, don’t even worry about what other people think. I have a buddy who likes to fish but is actually allergic to touching fish, so someone has to handle and unhook fish for him. Nobody is going to make fun of you for wearing gloves if you want to wear gloves, and lots of people do it. Another thing worth mentioning is that if you do get the smell on your hands, I find that the best remover is windex or some other glass cleaner with ammonia. Even better if you can find glass cleaner with ammonia and lemon scent.

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by GrayCustomKnives

FS Digest

A lot of PNW anglers religiously wear black nitrile gloves. Most smell depends on what your targeting. Warm water fish like pike, bass, gills etc tend to have a stronger smell.

Walleye, Salmon and Trout tend to have little smell.

As a Captain/First Mate, I spend most of my days covered in fish puke, blood and crap. Though, 91% isopropyl alcohol does a good job striping the fish oils off your skin and kills the order quickly.

If you really get into it. You'll stop noticing the smell.

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by DUEFBTech

FS Digest

In fishing there is mainly two types. Catch and keep and catch and release. Im guessing that you don’t want to handle fish so you want the latter I believe. The best way is to use a barbless single hook to fish. Requires a little more skill to keep the fish hooked on. But if you get a hook remover you won’t have to touch the fish at all. You want the hook remover that like a bent wire. This way you just reel the fish to shore, and remove the hook with the with the tool with your other hand, while the fish is still in the water. No touching required. But you have to use a barbless hook.

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by g2gfmx

FS Digest

Sometimes you’ll still have to touch the fish. Especially for proper fish care with catch and release.

There’s ways to lower the chance but It’s something you just have to do.

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by bushcrapping

FS Digest

Just try your best to get over it.

There’s gunna be a time when you hook s good one and you don’t have the gloves on and you just have to man up or lose the fish.

Also there are pre work creams that stop smells staying in your hands and special anti fish soap for afterwards.

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by bushcrapping

FS Digest

Luckily atm, you can wear a mask, and no one will be the wiser. ;)

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by Darkman013

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Everyone is mentioning the touchy part which doesn't seem like is a problem that you are encountering. Its the smell that is getting to you from what I read.

Therefore lets tackle the nose issue. Cotton balls in the nose is one suggestion, a sab just above your upper lip is another suggestion to mask the odor. If you could find out what EMT and coroners use to mask the smell of deceased bodies that would be perfect.

The best bet especially in these days is to keep your hands from your face.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Do you have any kids

Cleemartin Loc: Hampton, Virginia

Put a little a Vick’s Vapor Rub under each nostril of your nose—kills any smell other than the Vick’s and helps with breathing.

msmllm Loc: Huntington, WV

I don't think you'll ever be able to mask the smell of fish because even alot of lakes smell fishy without catching a fish. I don't like the smell either but you'll have to get over it. But if it makes you feel like you're going to throw up, I'd just not go fishing.

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Have you thought about hypnosis. It works for some people.
And don’t worry about what other people think as long as you are enjoying what you’re doing.

On the fly Loc: Saint George Island, FL

I don’t know, maybe put some vics vaporub underneath your nose?

Gymyd1234

Gloves and a fishing buff to cover your nose and keep the sun out will help the smell.
It's worked for me in other areas so might be worth a try. Get a little jar of Vix Vaporub and put a little under your nose and then on with your UV buff over your nose and bottom half of your face and you should be good for 3 or 4 hours anyway.
Good luck and keep at it.

Fishrcool Loc: Grand Island Nebraska

You also might use a rubberized landing net! With a set of those lip grabber tools,"sorry I don't know what they are called" and a long hook remover, you can almost any situation on the water, without having to touch the fish! It would also be better for the fish to not be handled! Hope this helps, good luck, keep at it