Bassmaster Elite Series fishing professional Mark Menendez knows firsthand the consequences of over exposure to the sun. A routine visit to his doctor several years ago confirmed active basal cell carcinoma – a type of skin cancer – on his body. I asked him about that last fall when we fished together on Lake Fork, outside Dallas, Texas. “I’m fortunate we caught the problem early,” he says. “Still, it was a huge wake-up call for me.”
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Menendez is now a self-proclaimed advocate for adequate skin protection. “As fishermen, we wipe down our boats. We take care of our motors. Anything mechanical, we maintain,” he says. “Well, the biggest mechanical organ on our body is our skin. Without protection and maintenance, our skin is subject to damage severe enough to kill us.”
Mark recommends five basic routines to protect your skin when you’re outdoors:
1. Wear long pants and long sleeves. “My doctor told me if I didn’t cover up I would wear out my skin long before I wore out my back, my elbow or my wrist from making lots of casts.”
2. Wear a hat and sunglasses. “A simple wide-brimmed hat goes a long way toward keeping the sun off your face and reducing glare to your eyes, which are also subject to damage from the sun. I also wear a pair of wraparound sunglasses fitted with amber-colored polarized lenses. That’s the easiest way to protect your eyes, not only from random rays but also from flying fishing lures!”
3. Wear sunscreen. “My doctor recommends Blue Lizzard, a brand with 30 SPF plus zinc oxide to give it some staying power. Apply liberally to face, nose, chest and any other exposed skin areas.”
4. Wear gloves. “A lightweight, breathable variety with tips of the fingers cut out will protect the backs of your hands and still let you fish properly.”
5. Wear a Buff. “The v-shaped area on your chest just below your chin and the skin on the back of your neck are two spots particularly susceptible to sun damage. Companies like Buff manufacture a fabric tube-like collar, made from lightweight moisture-wicking material. Designed to be slipped over the head and then pulled up over the nose and ears, the Buff covers a number of sensitive areas. “It seems like it would be hot, but a little water or piece of ice on the fabric ironically turns it into a cooling device.”
Mark admits incorporating a skin protection regimen into your regular routine requires commitment. “Sure, it’s not always convenient,” he says, “but there’s nothing more inconvenient than skin cancer, particularly if it permanently removes you from the water. Once you understand the clear and present dangers of the sun, it just makes sense to become your own best ally and protect your body’s biggest asset.”
Article by Rebecca McCormick Crappie.com member name InviteMeFishing
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