Has the success of Berkley Maxscent baits changed peoples mind about the role scent plays?

[Cgolf]

Whenever a scent topic comes up on here there are always a lot that don't believe it works. I will say though that the number of believers seems to be increasing over the years.

 

What I am curious about is that those that didn't believe it plays a role, have you changed your mind based on the success some are having with the Berkley max scent baits? I personally haven't tried them yet, but did pick up some flatnose minnows on clearance last year for under 2 bucks.

[TnRiver46]

So you’ve got a magic fishing lure that you haven’t used in a year?? I can cast them out for ya and report back.....

[TOXIC]

I’m in the camp that scent is used to mask other smells/tastes that may be present on the lure or to tempt the fish to hold the bait a little longer but I have reeled in a lot of fish who bit Yamamoto plastics, which have no scent, and held on all the way to the boat without ever getting stuck by the hook.  I don’t like the power bait and other plastics that have to be stored in their magic juice or away from other plastics.  

[Cgolf]

21 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I’m in the camp that scent is used to mask other smells/tastes that may be present on the lure or to tempt the fish to hold the bait a little longer but I have reeled in a lot of fish who bit Yamamoto plastics, which have no scent, and held on all the way to the boat without ever getting stuck by the hook.  I don’t like the power bait and other plastics that have to be stored in their magic juice or away from other plastics.  

 

I didn't realize that the max scent were like Gulp. I figured I would rig one up and toss it in the box for my next trip with other baits. I use slider heads so having baits pre rigged is an option.

[TOXIC]

2 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

I didn't realize that the max scent were like Gulp. I figured I would rig one up and toss it in the box for my next trip with other baits. I use slider heads so having baits pre rigged is an option.

I’m not sure they are either.  Someone can clarify, I was just talking plastics in general.  

[Cgolf]

38 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

So you’ve got a magic fishing lure that you haven’t used in a year?? I can cast them out for ya and report back.....

 

These are the minnows and not the worms. Reminds me of a finesse fin-s-fish from lunker city.

[TnRiver46]

49 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

These are the minnows and not the worms. Reminds me of a finesse fin-s-fish from lunker city.

Well you better go dunk them in the water and see what happens ! 

[WVU-SCPA]

13 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I didn't realize that the max scent were like Gulp. I figured I would rig one up and toss it in the box for my next trip with other baits. I use slider heads so having baits pre rigged is an option.

I wouldn't describe them like gulp.

 

They will "dry out" some, shrink, and the scent will reduce once they are left out but they still are usable unlike gulp. 

 

I recently went through all my discarded plastic piles since they have been tougher to find.  Have still produced plenty of fish after being out of the package for 6 months. 

 

The bait with the fish below was out of the packaging for 6 months.  Was put back in a fresh pack before use.

[A-Jay]

I use 'scent' - religiously in fact.

Megastrike ~ all day every day.

I have used Powerbait with some success.

The Maxscent flat worm has been Very Good for me (drop shot)

Has it Changed my mind about scent ?

Not really.

However, if Maxscent was available as an external add on,

perhaps something similar to Megastrike,

I'm pretty sure I'd stand in a fairly long line to get some.

YMMV

Fish Hard 

A-Jay

 

[WRB]

When Berkley came out with Power Worms it was a game changer regrading fish attractants. The hand pour guys were grinding up worms to add to their plastisol.

We would sand paper Power Worms to get more scent activated. If you didn’t use Power Worms at night tournaments you donated your entry fee.

Tom

[J Francho]

I agree with that 100%. The difference between the then new Powerworms and trusty Culprits was night and day in terms of how long bass held them. 

[bowhunter63]

I think it makes a huge difference if there kind of neutral. They seem to hold it longer for better hook sets 

[Team9nine]

Nothing has changed my mind yet on scent, including MaxScent. Not worth the time and money invested to me. Still waiting to be shown the error of my ways  lol

[fishwizzard]

I do believe that scent will usually make a bass hold a plastic/jig a bit longer.  I also believe that no bass currently swimming is worth getting fish attractant in my mouth ever again.

 

With a little Glup juice in my mouth, I can speed walk 2 miles in about 30min in order to get back to my car and drive to somewhere I can buy a toothbrush/paste to get that stuff scrubbed out.  So so so foul.  I will still use Powerworms and other "scented" plastics, but Maxscent is too drippy for me to risk.  

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, bowhunter63 said:

I think it makes a huge difference if there kind of neutral. They seem to hold it longer for better hook sets 

This is always my take. If they are on a feeding binge they will hit anything and scent makes no difference. Those lockjaw days are where it can be the difference of a zero or fish in the boat. Always tell folks when they first try scent or baits like this to do it on a tough day and make their judgements then. 
 

Now I will have to try those baits, just not sure how to rig them lol. 

[throttleplate]

3 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I do believe that scent will usually make a bass hold a plastic/jig a bit longer.  I also believe that no bass currently swimming is worth getting fish attractant in my mouth ever again.

 

With a little Glup juice in my mouth, I can speed walk 2 miles in about 30min in order to get back to my car and drive to somewhere I can buy a toothbrush/paste to get that stuff scrubbed out.  So so so foul.  I will still use Powerworms and other "scented" plastics, but Maxscent is too drippy for me to risk.  

i usually wipe my hands off on a wet towell after handling gulp minnows right out of the juice as i keep them in a glass pickle jar.

Sometimes i just wipe the juice on my pants and later i will eat a cookie and the smell dont bother me no more because i am out fishing and smelly fish hands is part of being a fisherman.

 

When i was a heavy equipment mechanic my hands were filthy with grease and oil and when i ate a sandwich for lunch i didnt wash my hands because i was so hungry i didnt care.

 

[WRB]

The advantage of Power Worms was you didn't any scent and Max should be the same.

Back in the early 90’s I tried Smelly Jelly Craw scent, worked.

The problem was the original plastic jar lid wasn’t compatible with the chemicals and broke open in my boats tackle locker spelling out... what a smelly mess that was in the carpet and tackle bags.  To this day I can still smell it!

Tom

[FishTank]

My buddy uses the 7in Powerworm and pretty much uses it exclusively.  I have seen it catch fish when nothing else will but when they don't want to eat it, for whatever reason, they will not bite any of the Power Baits.   This is when jigs and moving baits start to hit. 

[GreenPig]

Caught 15 bass last week using MegaStrike(Crawfish) to my partner's 3 bass with no scent. Using the same lures and line. Put me down as a believer.

[Catt]

Actually up until 2 weeks ago I had never bought a powerbait product that wasn't Saltwater Gulp.

 

I can honestly report my grand daughter's cat won't leave it alone. I have to be extra careful to keep my worm bag closed.

[Deleted account]

Scents, both incorporated into lures, and sprayed or rubbed on work.

Are there times when bass fishing when one can make due or catch just as well without them, sure. But it is exactly those times when the fishing isn't fast and furious, or is down right tough, where scents really can make a huge difference.

[jtharris3]

Berkley Power Bait products have worked well for me over the years. On non power bait products I use Megastrike on them. I don’t really care what the nay sayers, say or think, for me the proof is in the pudding. 

[Kenny Yi]

I personally don't use any scents like Powerbait, I prefer the SK coffee scent.  Not cuz I think it increases the likelihood of a fish holding the bait, but because I hate the smell of Powerbait.  I would shove a menace grub up each nostril in the morning, cuz it smells so good.

[HoosierFisher]

I went fishing in a new pond yesterday and was getting bit about every cast with a wacky rigged MaxScent General. I like the weight and looks of them. Scent is a bonus. Durability could be bit better but still probably better than a senko. 

[Glenn]

Here are my thoughts. Do you agree or disagree?