Do Egg Cures Burn Your Hands?

SKP · 08-28-2002, 06:45 AM

I've been fishing since the 80's in Oregon. As we catch salmon, we need to cure the eggs. I've tried three of the most popular egg cures. I cure with gloves on, but after using the cured eggs on the river, my hands feel like they have been burned by chemicals. In fact, my hands will burn and peel up to a month after the season is over.

I don't hear anyone else complain of this on the river. Does anyone else have this problem? Is this something most bobber fisherman go through?

I don't think I use too much cure, I actually cut it way back because of this. Maybe I'm using the wrong cure, and thought that ifish folks could enlighten me to any suggestions and solutions on this subject.

Thanks,
Steve

DRUNK COWBOY · 08-28-2002, 06:52 AM

I am always wearing latex gloves when fishing with salmon eggs. It also cuts down on human scent [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

Grant Scheele · 08-28-2002, 06:59 AM

Yes, most of your good cures will "burn" your hands if you don't use gloves while fishing. Peeling of skin a month after use is not uncommon. Wear gloves and you can't go wrong.

Hogmaster · 08-28-2002, 07:33 AM

It is really a severe drying and then cracking that is occurring. At FMS in OC, right by the registers, they sell some balm (I think it was originally designed for udders!) that I have heard some people swear by. You might try it. GI Joes probably has it and for a better price too, right Jenn!? :grin:

I too try to fish with gloves on when fishing with eggs and recommend it for the reasons already cited. But sometimes the gloves are off for various reasons.

Anyway, you might give it a shot since your hands sound especially sensitive to the effects of pickeling...

fishbait · 08-28-2002, 08:38 AM

All I know is my hands look like hamburger by about mid November........... :depressed:

husker · 08-28-2002, 08:43 AM

latex gloves ......buy them by the box 50 or 100....saves your hands and keep human scent off bait.......no mess no fuss.......i go through 10 or 15 pairs per day......no big deal.....

BUGLEMAN · 08-28-2002, 08:56 AM

I get tingling hands for up to a week after using eggs. They dry out, peel crack etc. This happens with other baits too with the constant washing of slime etc. but only cured eggs makes my hand tingle. I use the latex for all fishing now. I get some looks from the uninitiated yet it is worth it.

fatfish · 08-28-2002, 12:24 PM

Use the hand creme recommended by Hogmaster; it really does work. It is called O'Keeffe's Working Hands Creme and you can count on it putting an ended to peeling and cracked skin. It is greaseless after you rub it in and has no odor. It's made in Joseph, Oregon.

I have no connection with this product except it is something that I tried and it really does what it claims. The jar lasts a long time. I got mine by the check-out register at Fisherman's.

08-28-2002, 12:43 PM

Bag Balm works good too.

SKP · 08-28-2002, 05:00 PM

I didn't think I was the only one. I am going to wear gloves from now on when I fish with cured eggs.

I am wondering the long term affect, such as skin cancer, liver damage? What is in the cure that makes this chemical burning on the hands? Certainly, it can't be good on you long term. Is there a cure that doesn't cause this reaction?

Thanks for your input!!!

Steve

Miss B Haven · 08-28-2002, 05:15 PM

It's the Sodium Sulfite cure (choice of pro bobber fisherman everywhere). It's in all the "add just a little" cures. Borax is pretty harmless, Sodium Sulfite has varying affects on varying people.
There used to be a tackle shop in WACO (can't remember the name - I have CRS syndrome). The owner would dip his arms in 5 gallon buckets of Sulfite'd eggs and stir them up to get yours out. His arms were all swollen red and lumpy. He would comment (if asked) that "it'll go away shortly".
He died in the surf trying to save his little girl at Garabaldi. She did survive. Sorry to regress and bring up this sad event, but I would be carefull of any reaction to cure. The gloves are a good idea. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

fish forever · 08-28-2002, 05:19 PM

FishBait likes those latex rubber gloves so much he wears them around all the time - even when he's not fishing. What I havent been able to figure out is why he is also carrying around all that shrimp oil too.

:blush: )

Miss B Haven · 08-28-2002, 05:27 PM

Did you ever see "American Graffiti" :shocked: :shocked: :grin: :grin:

rebell · 08-28-2002, 06:31 PM

Its the sulfite absorbing the moisture right out of your skin. Wear latex gloves when curing your eggs, it will help. Had an experience a few years back that put me in the hospital from all the fish and eggs I was handling. Doctor simply said wear gloves! An expensive lesson learned.

fishbait · 08-28-2002, 07:08 PM

Mel,
I cried when I heard that he died in the surf.......... what a loss........ thought about him this spring when I was fishing a hole he liked very much for springers....... We worked on cures together for awahile......... I hate waring those gloves, but do wear them when cutting and curing eggs, don't use them fishing......I get enough **** without wearing them, just thinking about the grief........but now if I could fing them in say a hot pink, now that would be fun....or glow in the dark.......... :shocked:

Miss B Haven · 08-28-2002, 07:44 PM

Fishbait - We'll work on those hot pink gloves. It'll go good with that tutu won't it paddlefish? :shocked:

SKP · 08-28-2002, 08:28 PM

rebel,

Did you have an allergic reaction? If you are sure the cure did this, what type of additional reaction did you have? I'm thinking I might be allergic to the stuff.

I do cure with the gloves on, but don't use them when I fish, because the gloves fall apart on the thumb after a couple of casts with the level wind.

Maybe I'm more sensitive to the sulfite or whatever it is. I'll be sure to buy gloves, as all my eggs are cured.

How about non-sulfite cures? If you have a good method, can you post it?

Maybe I better switch to plunkin' corkies on the point at the boat ramp at PC at low slack! :smile:

HOGTIDE · 08-28-2002, 08:48 PM

I am quite sure that I am allergic to the stuff. After tidewater fishin' my hands bubble up and itch for weeks and dry out and peel. I have gone to latex gloves even though they are a pain to work with. ...love it when the stupid latex becomes part of a knot

Fshklr · 08-28-2002, 08:56 PM

I also would have to agree, the sulfate is quite hard on the skin. I have never had rash or burning, and latex gloves during the curing process are an absolute must. But during the months of march and april while bobbering for springers I do suffer from multiple splits in the fingers and thumbs. Glove would help, but greatly interfere with my casting, so as an angler..lol I just put up with it. The above mentioned product Bag Balm does help with this problem, but after 2 weeks of continually baiting my hook the spilts begin to show. Bobbermans curse I guess. :smile:

fishbait · 08-29-2002, 05:01 AM

This just in.........

"US Dept. of Public Health has issued an alert regarding contact with sulfite products when used in conjunction with fish products. Produces an extreemly toxic by product and should be avoided at all costs. Use only approved disposal mentods"

Well there you have it, I have done some research and have developed a safe and green method of destroying sulfite cured eggs, and for a nominal fee, $1.00 per qt, you can send me your cured eggs and i will see to it that they are properly distroyed in an environmentally friendly manner.

Wait, look at this........
"ODFW in conjunction with the WA. Dept of Fisheries has just announced the results of a 5 year study that shows that spinners fished under a bobber are much more effective than salmon eggs for catching mature Chinook salmon. Sam Tyee, researcher for ODFW states" we are looking at modifying the fishing regulations as this new method of fishing is so effective it has the potential of devistating fish runs " "Why even as we speak, some commerical fisherman are re-rigging their boats to take advantage of this discovery"

WOW, who wodda thought......... Just think of how much time we all can save not having to put up eggs anymore. Oh, and by the way, I'm working on a genetic cloning process trying to develop a strain of large chinook that bite agressively between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. I am in need of some raw salmon eggs to further my research, so if you would like to donate your raw eggs, I will put you on the secret mailing list for the release sites of this magnificent new strain of fish.

Fishin Magician · 08-29-2002, 12:10 PM

All my co-workers have been wondering what Ive been doing in my spare time. My fingertips are hot pink and my left palm is peeling...........Hmmmmmmm

There are some speculations that I am having an affair with a flamingo, but the truth is that I found some real permanent dye that is really hard to get off............ :shocked: :grin: :shocked:

What some guys will do to find the right color

SKP · 08-29-2002, 11:53 PM

fishbait says:

spinners fished under a bobber are much more effective than salmon eggs for catching mature Chinook salmon

Thanks for the tip fishbait and the Oregon and Washington government agencies!!!

I will try this at low slack and high slack on the point at PC when there are 100+ bobbers out there. I'll even try an Alvin with a 2/0 Owner Point treble. I will continue to fish 37 feet deep at low tide, and slowly retrieve my bobber, to give my Alvin some good action. I think I can make the furthest cast, and maneuver around the skin burning bait bobbers. I might even try an Alvin/Shrimp cocktail with Anise Scent and blue yarn for the light biters and drive by's.

Who wants the eggs if I get a hen?

FISH ON!

SKP