Scents

[RAMBLER]

Something I'm curious about. How much will scents, from handling lures, accumulate on the lures? We all touch something that has odors, i.e., steering wheels, tie downs, ropes, tackle boxes/bags, garage doors, gas pump, and the list goes on forever. Will these secnts build up over time as the lures are handled?

Another question; Will the scent eliminators that are used for spraying all over yourself for deer hunting clean the scents off of lures or would they be something worse to put on the lures?

Being careful about handling gasoline and oil, or whatever and washing hands is the best thing to do. Just wondering if there is more that can make the lures "stink" and more that can be done to eliminate it.

[roadwarrior]

I don't think it makes any difference on hard lures and soft baits will be lost before any "build up" can occur.

If you are really concerned, wash your hard baits in soap and warm water, rinse thoroughly.

[Bassn Blvd]

Unless you're spilling gas, oils, cologn, etc on your hands/lures then don't worry about it. Keep your lures stored inside a sealed, quality plastic container in a clean, dry area and they'll be fine.

Carry some hand wipes and wipe your hands after pumping your gas or right before you start fishing if you think they are soiled. The lures will more than likely rid themselves of any foul odor after a few casts, unless you soaked them in something.

I'd be more concerned about keeping my line and reels clean.

If your hands are clean enough to hold and eat a sandwich, then they are clean enough to hold your lures.

[Dwight Hottle]

Unless you're spilling gas, oils, cologn, etc on your hands/lures then don't worry about it. Keep your lures stored inside a sealed, quality plastic container in a clean, dry area and they'll be fine.

Carry some hand wipes and wipe your hands after pumping your gas or right before you start fishing if you think they are soiled. The lures will more than likely rid themselves of any foul odor after a few casts, unless you soaked them in something.

I'd be more concerned about keeping my line and reels clean.

If your hands are clean enough to hold and eat a sandwich, then they are clean enough to hold your lures.

I expected a totally different answer from you!

[Bassn Blvd]

I expected a totally different answer from you!

Yea, I know. I deleted my first response, remembering I already have 2 warning points, hahaha.

[BassAssassin726]

I think fish have a better sense of smell then we give them credit for. I always, ALWAYS spray my lures with a baitfish or crawfish scent, just in case. Then again, Im a oily slimy Italian. Haha

[Marty]

I think scents do indeed make their way onto lures and that fish do have a good sense of smell. However, we don't know what scents might repel the fish.

In his book, Knowing Bass, Dr. Keith Jones states that the most repulsive odor to bass is DEET and that gas and oil are NOT noticeably repulsive, as is commonly believed. Some other repulsive odors are some ingredients in detergents and sunscreen. Nicotine is believed to be a negative, although not proven and caffeine also is believed to offend.

[roadwarrior]

Nicotine is believed to be a negative, although not proven and caffeine also is believed to offend.

Neither are negative, although I will not claim they are positive in all situations.

Tennessee River smallmouth like tobacco and Budweiser, but may prefer whiskey!

[rockchalk06]

Neither are negative, although I will not claim they are positive in all situations.

Tennessee River smallmouth like tobacco and Budweiser, but may prefer whiskey!

I'm calling BS.

Smallies prefer Miller Lite!

[Bluebasser86]

I'm always careful when I'm spraying bug spray not to get it on my gear. I try to rinse sunblock off my hands as best as possible also. I doubt any build up occurs unless maybe you find a jig under your gas tank or oil reservoir that has been marinating for awhile, it may have some build up on it. Otherwise put a little scent on your bait to cover up any negative scents and go to work.

[LgMouthGambler]

I dont know how much of a difference it makes, but I try to keep my baits sprayed with Yum Garlic scent fish attractant. I do know that the fish tend to be a little more aggressive on the hold which allows for a better hook set.

[Nashua Nev]

How long does the odor of the bass stay on your hands? ( Ask your wife how long if you are not sure) I always spray the tackle with something before i throw it to the fish. Might not be needed but it cant hurt. I believe it gives that extra 1/2 second before fish realize it isnt real , that 1/2 second may be just enogh to get the hook set. I BELIEVE if you get gas or something on the lure it will have a negative effect, some will disagree but With that being said wash your hands and if needed wash your lures with something that will remove the gas odor, then spray before using. As far as what spray , i use what ever was on sale when i need to get it. garlic is what i prefer and again i always spray or dunk before throwing them...

[*Hootie]

I dont know how much of a difference it makes, but I try to keep my baits sprayed with Yum Garlic scent fish attractant. I do know that the fish tend to be a little more aggressive on the hold which allows for a better hook set.

I too, use the garlic spray. I always spray a little on my hands before I start fishing. Smelly hands problem solved. Would NOT do that with the crawfish, or shad spray though. YUCK!!!

Hootie

[Texfisherman]

Just a few random thoughts from me:

For me, it seems, the biggest killer to a good day of fishing is sun block, followed closely by mosquito spray. After I apply either of those to my skin, I wash my hands thoroughly! There is a fisherman's soap that they make. I tried it recently and it really seems to get rid of stubborn smells on my hands.

As far as scents, I always keep 'Spike-It! Garlic scent/chartreuse' in my tackle and use it religiously on my soft plastics.

In one unintentional control study, my buddy and I were fishing the same area, using the exact same setup- a wacky-rigged watermelon candy trick worm.

Almost everything was identical, including how we were working the worms. There were only 2 differences: One, he was using 8-pound fluoro, where I was using 10-pound mono. Belive it or not, I was catching all of the fish!

I attribute that to the only other difference between he and I. I was spraying the tail of my worm with the Spike-It! garlic scent and he wasn't.

I can't say with 100% certainty that the spray was the total factor, nor is anything in bass fishing ever a guarantee; but it seemed to make a difference.

***** EDIT: Going back and reading some of the other posts, there seems to be a general concensus as to the negative effects of sunblock and mosquito spray. I smoke and I usually catch close to the same amount of fish as my non-smoking fishing buddy.

[hooah212002]

In regards to scent, we see a lot of manufacturers heavily salt their soft plastics and garlic smelling spray seems to be a go to for bass fishing. Has anyone tried garlic salt? I've thought about using it, but I don't know if it would be detrimental to the chemical makeup of soft plastics.

[MarkH024]

I don't believe salt's primary use is for scent. I believe that salt is impregnated in plastics so they sink otherwise without most will float. Someone who is more in tune to lure making should be able to correct me if I'm wrong. I thought that salt is added to the melting plastic prior to pouring it.

http://www.jethrobaits.com/Salt.html

This was an interesting quick find. I don't know how full proof the info is but worth reading I suppose. I've never really looked into the salt content of soft plastics.

Edited September 17, 2012 by MarkH024

[hooah212002]

I don't believe salt's primary use is for scent. I believe that salt is impregnated in plastics so they sink otherwise without most will float. Someone who is more in tune to lure making should be able to correct me if I'm wrong. I thought that salt is added to the melting plastic prior to pouring it.

http://www.jethrobaits.com/Salt.html

This was an interesting quick find. I don't know how full proof the info is but worth reading I suppose. I've never really looked into the salt content of soft plastics.

I've got Gander Mountain branded senko's and worms and they are COVERED in salt. Also, my buddy pours sea salt in his worm bags and swears by it. I've also got some tubes that have KVD's name (old, can't remember the brand) on them and they, too, are covered in salt.

[MarkH024]

I've got Gander Mountain branded senko's and worms and they are COVERED in salt. Also, my buddy pours sea salt in his worm bags and swears by it. I've also got some tubes that have KVD's name (old, can't remember the brand) on them and they, too, are covered in salt.

Strike King Coffee tubes are what you're referring. I too have lots of plastics caked in salt, however according to the article I linked and from what I've read before the salt added to plastic is for weight, and the external salt is to mask smell but not as an attractant. I really have no idea to be honest...all I know is I catch fish on caked salted plastics and non. In the end...all I care is if they work

[LgMouthGambler]

I too, use the garlic spray. I always spray a little on my hands before I start fishing. Smelly hands problem solved. Would NOT do that with the crawfish, or shad spray though. YUCK!!!

Hootie

If I did that I would be putting my hands in between bread and eating them with a side of pasta.

[hooah212002]

Strike King Coffee tubes are what you're referring. I too have lots of plastics caked in salt, however according to the article I linked and from what I've read before the salt added to plastic is for weight, and the external salt is to mask smell but not as an attractant. I really have no idea to be honest...all I know is I catch fish on caked salted plastics and non. In the end...all I care is if they work

Gotcha.