Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

I have a question for the Prostaff Team about fishing scents.

I have heard so many contradictory comments about them.

Everything from “Wouldn’t fish without it.” to “Don’t waste your money on that stuff, they don’t make a difference.”

Me personally, I always use a little Smelly Jelly salt craw (the orange one with the little sissy sparkles in it) on the tail of my worms and other plastic lures.... even on the tails of the big swimbaits.

It sure seems to me that I’ve been getting bit better and more often since I’ve been using it.

I’m in the "wouldn’t fish without it" camp.

What is the opinion of the Prostaffers.....

Do scents work for you guys?

Which scents do you think are the most effective?

Or do you think they are useless and we should stop wasting our money on such silly superstitions since bass can’t smell anything anyway?

Thanks for your advice in advance........... geobass

Personally I don’t put anything on the baits that I use. But then again I use the Berkley Power worms and Gulp, so it’s made with it.

I would have to say if you have confidence in it, use it! IF you don’t then don’t!

You are right you hear it both ways. It works for some and others could care less.

I would not fish with out it myself. I do have other baits that are not made with sent in them and I use them just as they are. They still catch some fish. Confidence, Confidence, if it's not broke dont fix it.

Geobass, I am a firm believer in fish scents, I have used Fish Formula Scents ever since they came out years ago. Any slow moving bait gets saturated with the stuff. I use either crawfish, worm or Shad 99% of the time. I also have been using the B&D Custom White Lightning quite a bit lately. It's got a good scent and as with all scents I'm convinced the fish hold the bait longer. I would say that scents can't hurt any bait. So why not use them.
I also use the Berkley scented baits Conley mentioned and they have built-in flavor that lasts a long time. I have an Uncle that won't go fishing without sweet anise. Add me to the list of "won't go without it". Johnnie

Geobass,
I'm glad I re-read your post on fish scents-you say bass can't smell anyway!! WRONG!!! Those two little holes in the front of their face is their nose and they can definately smell. Blind bass can live a long time by smelling and feeling vibrations. All fish have a sense of smell and all fish use that to some extent. Good post, Johnnie

Johnnie is correct about the bass being able to factor out scents. In fact, a friend of mine will wash his lure, especially a spinnerbait, if a northern pike is caught. He says the northern places a scent, which will repel bass.
I've also used the soap if I have gasoline on my hands, or other negative odors.
Another idea is to wash the lure in Odor Away, then place the attractant. The soap will let off bubbles, which will be a double attraction (noise and visual), and allow the regular attractant to work to its full abilities, without having to cover up negative ordors.
As for attractants, I've had great success with Kodiak Paste, and lately the new Gulp Alive spray, and bait, which comes soaked in the Gulp liquid. It stinks but works.

Best of fishing,

You're right Dan, I forgot about the soap bubbles. That GULP is gooood stuff. Stinky or not. Johnnie

I have used Smelly Jelly and Krazy Paste, and on occasion.... even a shot of WD-40 into a tube bait has immediately improved my catch rate.
Usually, i don't use scents but when it gets tough out there I'll use what it takes to put the fish in the boat.

I like Lunker Sauce for my jigs and tubes, the crayfish gives off a strong oder; shad for cranks. Carl

I have used smelly Jelly and Lunker sauce. If the bite is tough, then the scent comes out. 9/10 times it improves the bite.

With the Alive from Berkley, are you useing the baits that come pre-soaked or the Alive spray on your own plastics?

Capt'n

Thanks for the great information....................! !