Here's an exerpt from a California Fish & Game agent, "Some people spray WD-40 on their lures. This substance contains petroleum and is specifically prohibited by law to be deposited or introduced into the waters of the state (Fish and Game Code, section 5650)."

CAL. FGC. CODE § 5650 : California Code - Section 5650

(a)Except as provided in subdivision B, it is unlawful to deposit in, permit to pass into, or place where it can pass into the waters of this state any of the following:

(1)Any petroleum, acid, coal or oil tar, lampblack, aniline, asphalt, bitumen, or residuary product of petroleum, or carbonaceous material or substance.

I think a few minutes of boating puts more garbage in the water than a whole can of wd-40. Does anyone know what's in the lure spray? It has to be some type of oil to keep it from washing off instantly. It does leave an oil slick when it lands on the water. There's probably more water polution done by backing your truck and trailer in the water than can be done with a thin film of wd-40 on a Senko.

I think a few minutes of boating puts more garbage in the water than a whole can of wd-40. Does anyone know what's in the lure spray? It has to be some type of oil to keep it from washing off instantly. It does leave an oil slick when it lands on the water. There's probably more water polution done by backing your truck and trailer in the water than can be done with a thin film of wd-40 on a Senko.

Sounds as though you are trying to justify using it.

Sounds as though you are trying to justify using it.

Actually, I have never used it. I just don't see it as a big deal. I have used lure spray and it appears to be petroleum based from the slick it leaves on the water. Can't say if works since I catch the same with or without it.

A scent or attractant product doesn't need to be petroleum based to work. In fact, most aren't.

Because WD-40 is so much worse than a leaky old outboard.

Leaky outboards shoudn't be on the water either!! I just try to minimize pollution when I can and I just don't feel right about putting something like that in the water. I'm the type that will go out of my way to pick up a bottle or can if I see it floating on the surface. I don't throw line in the lake and if I catch a line I try my best to bring it in and get rid of it in the trash can. I not a "green" psycho, but I think every little bit helps.

And my main point is, there are so many safer options why bother with the WD-40.

A scent or attractant product doesn't need to be petroleum based to work. In fact, most aren't.

You're probably right. I was surprised to see what appeared to be an oil slick on the water when I sprayed my lure in the wind.

Put a few drops of olive oil in the lake - same thing happens.

Fish oil will leave a slick on the water, just like the petroleum products. So will vegetable oil.

I have to think that attractants use a fish oil base since it would be a natural scent to fish that are attracted by scent. Not sure how many fresh water fish other than the bottom feeders like catfish and carp that are attracted to scent. Crawfish are probably attracted to scent much like crabs and lobsters, since at times, they are scavengers.

WD-40's formula is a trade secret. The product is not patented to avoid completely disclosing its ingredients.^[2][3] WD-40's main ingredients, according to U.S. Material Safety Data Sheet information, are:

• 50% Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits: primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)
• 25% Liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)
• 15+% Mineral oil (light lubricating oil)
• 10-% Inert ingredients

The German version of the mandatory EU safety sheet lists the following safety-relevant ingredients:

• 60–80% Heavy Naphtha (petroleum product), hydrogen treated
• 1–5% Carbon dioxide

It further lists flammability and effects to the human skin when repeatedly exposed to WD-40 as risks when using WD-40. Nitrile rubber gloves and safety glasses should be used. Water is unsuitable for extinguishing burning WD-40.

There is a popular urban legend that the key ingredient in WD-40 is fish oil.^[4] However, the WD-40 web site states that it is a petroleum based product

always heard NASA "discovered" WD 40..........which stands for water disperser - 40th formula

always heard NASA "discovered" WD 40..........which stands for water disperser - 40th formula

WD-40 is the trademark name of a United States-made water-displacing spray. It was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen, founder of the Rocket Chemical Company, San Diego, California. It was originally designed to repel water and prevent corrosion,^[1] and later was found to have numerous household uses.

WD-40 stands for "Water Displacement – 40th Attempt". Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles, by displacing the standing water that causes it. He claims he arrived at a successful formula on his 40th attempt.^[1] WD-40 is primarily composed of various hydrocarbons.

WD-40 was first used by Convair to protect the outer skin of the Atlas missile from rust and corrosion.^[1][2] The product first became commercially available on store shelves in San Diego in 1958.^[1]

There is an interesting article in the fall edition of Bass Angler Magazine by Brent Becker about scents. I took this article with a grain of salt because the author is a member of Caroline Lunker's (a water based scent manufacturer) pro staff. That said, there were several interesting points.

They discuss about how fish use olfactory glands inside and around their mouth and in the nasal cavity to filter through water. This is how they "smell." The article suggests that since a fish filters water and not petroleum through the olfactory glands the water based scents will work better. It also stated that petroleum based scents are ineffective because petroleum floats to the top faster than water based scents. The water based scents stay in the water column longer which allows the fish to hone in on the lure.

Another point he makes is that it is important to mask our smell. Humans give off the number one offensive odor to fish, L-serene. Our sweat has loads of L-serene according to the article, so he says to keep your hands clean and spray them with scent.

Obviously there is more to the article. I wanted to give a quick overview. He didn't write specifically about WD-40, but I thought it was pertinent to the thread.

It just helps the bait slide down their throats better

Here's an exerpt from a California Fish & Game agent, "Some people spray WD-40 on their lures. This substance contains petroleum and is specifically prohibited by law to be deposited or introduced into the waters of the state (Fish and Game Code, section 5650)."

CAL. FGC. CODE § 5650 : California Code - Section 5650

(a)Except as provided in subdivision B, it is unlawful to deposit in, permit to pass into, or place where it can pass into the waters of this state any of the following:

(1)Any petroleum, acid, coal or oil tar, lampblack, aniline, asphalt, bitumen, or residuary product of petroleum, or carbonaceous material or substance.

But the real Question is, Is there anything that is not Illegal in Ca? Next year I bet they outlaw plastic worms as they have some oil in them. Not sure if they have outlawed any outboard motor from being used in Ca if it uses oil?

Pete