Began fishing with my Grandad at age 3 and have fished, both fresh and salt water, each successive year for the past 65. Have used deet based repellant for as many years as it has been on the market and have never had a problem. However, I do not spray it on the palms of my hands, nor do I allow it to get on my bait, tackle or fishing gear. I don't like the spray on me period, so, I wear a hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and shoes, all very light weight. I litely spray my hat, shirt collar, sleeves-shoulder to cuff, and around the bottom of my pants legs. I live in eastern SC where it is hot, humid, and swampy, with plenty of bugs and I have not experianced a problem with the fish not biting from it. I would forget about what someone says and try it for myself. If it works, great. If it doesn't, what have you lost? A small bottle of Deet spray.