When we’re out there fishing we have to look for every little advantage to bring in more bites. Dealing with changing weather conditions and seasonal swings is tough even for the best of us.
With so much that can go wrong, it’s important to do everything in our power to bring in a few extra bites. Getting your scent down right could be the game changer that you’ve been waiting for.
Is Scent Actually That Big of a Deal?
Every fishing guide that I’ve ever talked to understood how scent can impact their day. It actually surprised me just how much some of them worried about scent, but it wasn’t artificial scents they were worried about.
Time after time human odors have been proven to spook skittish fish. They have an obvious reaction to gas, cigar smoke, soap and oil. So why wouldn’t they react the same way to fish attractant scents?
Using Fish Attractants
Throughout the years I’ve seen scent attractants work more times than I can count. When I was a younger lad I thought that it didn’t really make that much of a difference.
I figured most of the scent had to wash off the second your bait hits the water. It never really occurred to me thats exactly what you want to happen.
As the scent gets washed off your bait it wafts downstream attracting fish that would otherwise pay no attention. This is a huge advantage when fishing lakes and rivers with low visibility.
What We Know About Fishing Scents
Everybody has their own opinion on whether or not adding scents to lures actually works. There’s obviously a reason why so many manufacturers are adding salt and other additives to their bait.
The real question is do these scents actually work? And if so how well do they actually work?
Through extensive research and talking to every fisherman I can find I’ve came up with a conclusion. As with everything in fishing scents and other attractants “Kinda Work” depending on the circumstances. That being said here are a few facts I’ve learned about fishing scents.
- We know for a fact that fish do have sensory organs in their bodies. Sharks are able to detect blood from miles away and recognize when other sharks get injured. Researchers have also proven that catfish do respond to stinkbaits(Check out a Few of These Catfish Stinkbaits). You could logically conclude that other species would have some sense of smell in the water. Just how well bass, walleye, panfish etc. can smell is unknown, but they certainly have the sensory organs necessary.
- For decades fisherman have been using scents to lure in game fish. Everybody has had that day where they just can’t catch anything yet your buddy is reeling them in using some strange smelly concoction.
- Will using a scent change your slow fishing day into the day of your wildest dreams? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get a few extra bites using scents. Maybe that bass will hold on for a few seconds longer and you’ll get a few more bites. Either way it’s well worth giving scents and attractants a shot.
- Scents have to dissolve in water for fish to smell them. Bass, catfish and other species are only able to sense smells that are water soluble. They don’t smell like you or I, rather they detect slight chemical changes in the water. That’s why salt seems to work so well and oil based products don’t. Salt dissolves into the water slightly changing the chemical makeup and therefore attracting fish.
How to Use Scented Baits
Almost all of the baits I fish with are scented in some way. Whenever I choose a lure I make sure that it’s scented with salt. The scent might last for a little while, but not for long.
This is when the pros throw away their lures, but most of us don’t have sponsors to pay for new plastics. So what can the rest of us do to renew the scent?
Sprays Vs Gels
Throughout the years I’ve tried lots of different bass attractants and cover scents. I’ve come to one simple conclusion. Spray on scents don’t work as well as gels, but they are much easier to use.
Spray scents are great for covering up unnatural human smells that scare away fish. The only downside is it quickly dissipates in the water.
I always carry a spray can of Bass Assassin’s Bang Fish Attractant on my boat. Most of the time I’m going to use my gel style scents, but sometimes it’s much easier to use a spray.
I’m talking about those cold weather days where you can’t feel your fingers. Those cold, rainy, windy days that really test your love of the sport.
Best Scents For Bass
Personally I’m a Huge fan of this Liquid Mayhem Crawfish Scent. It’s actually made from the guts of a variety of baitfish. It contains their enzymes which targets a fishes olfactory glands.
Pro Cure’s Trophy Bass Super Gel is another great alternative. It’s super sticky and really sticks to soft plastic worms.
If you’re going with a spray on attractant I would go with either Baitmate Classic or Bass Assassin Bang Attractant which is available in a wide variety of flavors.
Using your Scent
It doesn’t matter if you’re applying a gel or spray, both options are fairly simple to use. To apply the spray simply squeeze the nozzle and spray it on your soft plastic lures.
Gel attractants are harder to apply, but it’s still not bad. Just squeeze the gel onto the back of your lure. Apply it just like toothpaste and spread it on generously. Check out the video below to see how to apply Liquid Mayhem Bass Attractant.