fish attractants

LGBASS20LB · Post by **LGBASS20LB** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 8:15 pm

Well, I have used these fish attractants, but I never seem to catch more fish with them then i do without them, so do you guys know a track record on these "attractants"? I actually caught less fish with them than i do without them.......so that tells me something, that I probably don't need them, but if you pros know anything I don't about them, please tell..THANKS

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 12:41 am

The information on whether fish attractants actually help catch fish is scetchy at best. Manufactures that produce such products claim that fish can locate baits or even track them down with the use of scents.
I for one do not beleive this.

I do beleive however that bass will in many cases hold on to a bait longer or possibly take it deeper when scent is applied. This may give an angler more time to react to the bite and set the hook. I also beleive it masks human and other odors that may turn fish away. Just as deer hunters use cover scent, I think fish attractants have a similar effect.
The biggest effect I beleive scents have is that it gives the angler more confidence. Confidence is a powerfull and very important part of fishing, you will fish better and smarter if you are confident what you are doing is right.

One problem I feel many anglers have with fish attractants ( we will call them scents ) is they use them when they may not have to. I normally only use them when I have no choice but to present my bait very slowly. Winter is one of those times and I like to spray my baits every couple casts during very cold water temps. I have tried scents while bass were short striking faster moving baits with some success, but that could be for 100 different reasons, not because of the scent.

I dont want to write a book so I will leave you with this. If you BELEIVE it will help you catch fish, USE IT. If you do not have confidence it will help you catch fish, then use it. Yes, I said use it. I cant imagine it gives off negative cues, and so in the long run it may add a few fish to hand.

MPJBASS · Post by **MPJBASS** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:51 am

Cole,
I have to agree with Eric, especially with the last statement. I for one have tried them all to include some of my "own" recipes.
From what I have learned over the years I truly believe bass feed more by sight and movement/vibration than by smell. However, to piggyback off of Eric, if it gives you more confidence in what you are doing then go for it. It definately can't hurt!!
PJ

mjripp1 · Post by **mjripp1** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 4:27 am

Both Eric and Patrick brought up some good points concerning "Fish Attractants". I use them occasionally for one simple reason that ties in with there thoery of confidence. I put it on in the hopes that it masks any foriegn scents such as gas, oil, WD-40 or any other things that may ward off a picky bass. I am not sure if this is doing the trick or not but it keeps my confidence up and I seem to catch more fish. Thats my two "scents".

Mark Ripp

JT_BAGWELL · Post by **JT_BAGWELL** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 4:33 am

I for one do not know for sure whether or not a bass can track down a bait on scent alone. On the other hand I agree completely with Eric about the bass holding a bait longer, if it has the right attractant on it.

As I am sure some of the guys on here know, I really believe in MegaStrike fish attractant. As soon as it warms up here, I am sure you will hear more about MegaStrike. I gave Johnnie Crain a sample to try and I know he will catch some lunkers with it.

I actually have a video that shows multiple bass grabbing ahold of a tube jig that has MegaStrike on it. Some of these fish sucked on the bait for well over a minute. They were actually trying to swallow it.

If you want to read more testimonials about the product check out their website. They even offer a 100% money back guarantee.
www.megastrike.com

Rodney Birditt · Post by **Rodney Birditt** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 4:37 am

Here is a fish attractant to try that I have the most respect for but enviromentalist freak out on "PETA and GREENPEACE"... its WD40 try it you will be amazed.

LGBASS20LB · Post by **LGBASS20LB** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 7:23 pm

Mr. Bagwell, thanks for that, I'll check out that site. Thanks for everyone's input too.

johnnie crain outdoors · Sat Feb 15, 2003 12:37 am

Cole,
The staff has once again proven they know products. Having used scents for a number of years, I have to say they work and work well. NEVER leave home without them.
The only way I know a fish scent could turn bass off is if you used the wrong scent on the wrong lure. If you are using a crawfish type bait, Jig and pig, soft plastic, be sure to use a crawfish or earthworm scent. It could be confusing to a bass when all its other senses are telling it there's a crawfish near that rock, but it's sense of smell says shad. Bass can sense a baits size, shape and volume without ever seeing the object simply by how much vibration and water displacement is being funneled into their inner ear and lateral line. Bass often make the decision to strike or not strike on this information. Good luck, my friend. Johnnie Crain

midwest · Post by **midwest** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 5:41 am

I have spent some considerable time trying scents over the years. One important thing I found was that bass always seemed to hold the bait longer if it had a scent added by me or the producer. Even those with salt made a difference.

When the product Real Craw first came out I did a small experiment. I rigged two rods with the same lure (craw). Every 15 - 20 minutes I would switch between the plain lure and the one with Real Craw. I was flipping into bushes along a stretch of bank. Results: Real Craw 2:1 over plain. The most important conclusion was not the numbers of fish but on what cast the fish was caught. Half of the fish caught for the day were hooked on the first cast, regardless of lure. The interesting result was from multiple cast at same brush. The Real Craw was the dominating factor (plain lure=no catch).

By throwing the lure with Real Craw at the same taget over and over, the scent was able to disperse in the area and give the bass the ability to "pick-up" the scent. The fish then only needed that final trigger (lure) to make it strike. I feel this would be the same with all scents, not just Real Craw.

Another thing to remember about scents. If you fish from a boat, boater or non-boater, be sure to have your lure out over the water. The worst thing to clean is spilled or mis-applied attractants.

bassnron · Post by **bassnron** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 1:07 am

Well, that's a lot of wonderful information from several of the pro's here on staff.

I'd just like to add that I have also used sents for several years and I have found that the "YUM" brand seems to work best for me. It's a water soluable base and seems to disperse into the water better than some of the oil based products. It really does seem to help cover "bad odors" and get to Bass to hold on a little longer.

I have had a chance to try some different scents in the tank at Bass Pro Shops and we found that baits treated with "YUM" get noticed quicker and when the Bass bites they hold on to it longer. Anything that gives me an opportunity to get noticed by more Bass is something that I am wanting on my side.

Bottom line, like several others have said, it gives me more confidence and therefore I get more fish into the boat by using a confidence bait/scent.

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Ronnie Long - Harrisburg, NC
Basin' USA Prostaff member