Does Mega Strike and other attractants actually work?

[FishDewd]

I have heard about various fish attractants on this forum and others, seems like Mega Strike is one of the most popular. I got a tube from Cabela's last week and used it the last two outings... here are a few things I noticed about it: 1.) it smells exactly like a Berkley Powerbait (which hasn't worked for me to catch anything). 2.) the smell doesn't last more than a cast or two before needing to be reapplied. 3.) it didn't increase my bite numbers... if anything, the number of bites I've gotten while using it has reduced as compared to not using it.

 

So it makes me wonder if it actually works at all. I know a lot of you use it with success, but I'm skeptical. What are thoughts regarding the effectiveness of such attractants, and what is the idea behind them working?

[SDoolittle]

3 minutes ago, FishDewd said:

 2.) the smell doesn't last more than a cast or two before needing to be reapplied.

Really? That has definitely not been the case in my experience!

[Choporoz]

I don't recall Megastrike (reg.) having any scent.  It may, but that's not why I use it.  I believe that Bobby U is on to something with the Amino Acids he uses in Megastrike.  I'm not convinced that it attracts fish to bite --- But, I am 100% convinced that fish that do bite, are generally more reluctant to let go. 

[FishDewd]

Hm, that's interesting.!One says it has a lot of scent, another says it has none! I definitely detect an odor of something in mine... like I said, smells like a Powerbait but not quite so punchy. Are there different kinds of MS? This is the only one I've ever seen. Maybe it's intended to do something with the texture? Cause it does make it feel more life-like I have noticed, and this quality at least seems to last longer than whatever the odor is. So maybe that's what it is. Btw, I don't actually reapply it every cast or two, I just assumed that just because I couldn't smell it doesn't mean it wasn't making an odor that something else could smell. Kinda like a zoom worm.

[Turtle135]

27 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I don't recall Megastrike (reg.) having any scent.  It may, but that's not why I use it.  I believe that Bobby U is on to something with the Amino Acids he uses in Megastrike.  I'm not convinced that it attracts fish to bite --- But, I am 100% convinced that fish that do bite, are generally more reluctant to let go. 

^^^^ this ^^^^

 

Berkley Powerbait works the same way. Bass will hold onto the bait longer. Also, I believe these attractants mask offensive substances (sunscreen for example) that might be on a bait. I only use it on soft plastics and jigs I do not believe there is any value in adding it to a moving hard bait.

 

 

 

[nascar2428]

Original has no scent to speak of, crawfish has a mild crawfish scent. Neither of those come close to the smell of powerbait. I use both on all of my soft plastics, I totally believe that the fish hold on longer with Megastrike on the bait. I re apply after ten or so casts. It doesn't matter what you use, if fish aren't there to bite, your not going to catch any. 

[WRB]

The weakest sense bass have is their sense of smell. With that said bass can detect odors in the water that alarm them or increase feeding activity. I have used pure anise oil for decades with good success on jig trailers and soft plastics. Commercial fish attractants for bass are misleading, they are more a scent mask to cover odors that alarm bass then an attractant. If the bass doesn't detect an odor to alarm them it may help from rejecting a soft plastic. If a bass keeps the lure in it's mouth a second longer that can make a big difference when the bite is slow.

Tom

[Sam]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

I don't recall Megastrike (reg.) having any scent.  It may, but that's not why I use it.  I believe that Bobby U is on to something with the Amino Acids he uses in Megastrike.  I'm not convinced that it attracts fish to bite --- But, I am 100% convinced that fish that do bite, are generally more reluctant to let go. 

You hit it out of the ballpark.

 

Exactly what MegaStrike does.

[FishDewd]

All right, thanks all, very informative! Maybe I had something on my hands that made it seem like it had an odor.

[padon]

I haven't used mega strike but I've used several others. I like the gel based because they seem to stay on longer.do they make fish bite? Idk it'sAnd I don't think there's any way to tell without a controlled lab environment. But for a few bucks a jar I feel like they're worth a shot. I definitely feel like they make the fish hold on longer giving more time for strike detection and hook set and to me that's enough of an advantage to use them.I'm not obsessed with them,if I go fishing without them I don't worry about it but if I think about it I'll use them.

[FishDewd]

Mega Strike is a bit pricey which is why I'm weighing whether it's really worth it or not

 

[Turtle135]

13 minutes ago, FishDewd said:

Mega Strike is a bit pricey which is why I'm weighing whether it's really worth it or not

 

$ 9.00 for a tube that should last a couple of seasons?

[FishDewd]

If it does, great... first tube I've ever bought so I wouldn't have known.

[Turtle135]

12 minutes ago, FishDewd said:

If it does, great... first tube I've ever bought so I wouldn't have known.

Yes, you do not need to use a lot of it. I probably fished a jig 80% of the time this past season as I was conducting an experiment. I am still working on the tube I bought last spring.

[Angry John]

I use megastrike to lube a plastic.  Soft swim baits seem to last a little longer and 's punch rig seems to slide in the cover a little better maybe letting me use a little less weight.  Not the normal use but to each there own.

[fishwizzard]

48 minutes ago, Turtle135 said:

Yes, you do not need to use a lot of it. I probably fished a jig 80% of the time this past season as I was conducting an experiment. I am still working on the tube I bought last spring.

Would like to see that data.

 

I use MS but not as much as I want too, I really dislike the greasiness on my hands.  Whatever it's merits as a fish attractant, I am sold on it as swimbait lube and I think keeping them slicked up is going to force me to get over it and use the stuff more.  

 

I do use it a ton when wading to coat my Ned rigs.  I have landed a few sunfish that refused to drop their hold on the tail of my lure until I got them in hand.  

[FishDewd]

53 minutes ago, Turtle135 said:

Yes, you do not need to use a lot of it. I probably fished a jig 80% of the time this past season as I was conducting an experiment. I am still working on the tube I bought last spring.

Cool, so Ive probably been doing about right then... figured it didn't need much. I normally just put a drop or two on the lure and rub it around. Let it set for a minute or so and then fish it, but not sure if it even needs to set really.

[fishwizzard]

I will warn you that when it is hot out, MS comes out of the tube with a quickness, it gets far thinner then you would think based on how thick it is in the winter.  I wasted about a quarter of my first tube by giving it too hard a squeeze on a 90f day.  It makes it a ton easier to apply a small amount though, I can easily get maybe a match-head or twos worth onto a worm or jig for most of the year.  This past winter I made a little warmer for the tube out of a beer coozie, two handwarmers, and a hair-tie I stole from my wife.  

[CTBassin860]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

The weakest sense bass have is their sense of smell. With that said bass can detect odors in the water that alarm them or increase feeding activity. I have used pure anise oil for decades with good success on jig trailers and soft plastics. Commercial fish attractants for bass are misleading, they are more a scent mask to cover odors that alarm bass then an attractant. If the bass doesn't detect an odor to alarm them it may help from rejecting a soft plastic. If a bass keeps the lure in it's mouth a second longer that can make a big difference when the bite is slow.

Tom

This is the gospel right here.

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Turtle135 said:

$ 9.00 for a tube that should last a couple of seasons?

Only lasts about 3 weeks if you use it to brush your teeth.

[Catt]

I've read probably all of Bobby Uhrig research & highly suggest y'all do the same...it'll change your beliefs!

[ClackerBuzz]

I don't use it for 2 reasons:

 

1 if the pro's that fish for a living don't need it why do I?

 

2 I don't like the smelly stuff all over me, my clothes, kayak and/or boat.

 

there was a time when i used it in winter only.  when it's freezing outside you'll take any edge you can get.  but i found it did more harm than good b/c it does not melt away in cold water temps.  it stays all over soft plastics like goo which actually prevented me from experimenting with different size/color plastics.  I didn't want the stuff all over me/boat so i'd keep casting the same plastic for hours which is not a good thing.

 

 

[FishDewd]

So I assume you can smell it as well?

[ClackerBuzz]

On 2/20/2018 at 10:58 PM, FishDewd said:

So I assume you can smell it as well?

Pro Cure stinks wicked nasty.. and it didn't help me catch fish

[Bobby Uhrig]

HMMM Interesting topics and replies .

#1- Cost- averages about half a penny per application- Considering some costs of plastic baits out there today I believe that is a deal.

#2 For a half penny per application-each application lasting approximately 15 minutes and it helps fish hold on longer putting more fish in the  livewell especially in a tournament-Its a no brainier. 

 

#3-Fish are sight feeders first--olfaction and chemoreception- (smell and taste) second -vibration through lateral lines third-so if I can use it for their second most used sense -I'm in-

 

#4 You wont believe how many Pros call me and order Mega on the slide and they dont tell anyone- Not good for sales but we know they swear by it-Any advantage they can take -they take-dont be a fool -Tournaments are won by ounces-no one remembers who finishes in second place-Thus Megastrikes Slogan from day one WHEN EVERY FISH COUNTS !!

#5 So years ago I figured if I can stimulate their feeding chemically -Which I know I can -then get them to hold on to the baits through taste -which I can and now adding a UV enhancer for sight which I do-I have got the ultimate GOO.

 

Here is the New Mega with the UV additive on the tail--   And you guys think I just sit around and do nothing LOL  ALWAYS EVOLVING  -