Scents on Crankbaits

[Mid-MO]

Just curious to see how many use some kind of gel scent on a crankbait and if so what kind?  

I've never used scents on anything other than jigs - but was flipping through the BPS catalog and they have a lot of scents out for this purpose.

Any opinions?

[T-rig]

I don't use scents on any baits.

[BassFishingMachine]

Hmm, never heard about or tryed putting scents on hardbaits but I generally use Megastrike on my softbaits, and Yum Crawfish Spray on my jigs.

[Sam]

Megastrike on crankbaits.

[T-rig]

Megastrike on crankbaits.

As soon your crank hits the water, the scent is gone.

[FishTank]

I tried some YUM scent on crank and it stained the crank.  It didn't seem to make any difference far as catching fish since I didn't catch one on this setup.

[Mid-MO]

Some of these scents are water based and are designed to stick for 20+ casts.  Here is a couple -

Carolina Lunker Sauce:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74407_999034015_100000000_100010000_100-10-11

Mustad Activate Gel:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98796_999034015_100000000_100010000_100-10-11

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I think that the whole idea of a scent a moving lure like a crank,topwater,or spinner is just an industry gimmick.I mean c'mon is the bass going to hold on longer? No he is already wearing the latest lip piercing fashion.Is the bass going to track the crank via scent trail?? I really think not.

Scents are good for slow movers,plastics and jigs,and of course that is up for controversy as always.

[Tin]

I think that the whole idea of a scent a moving lure like a crank,topwater,or spinner is just an industry gimmick.I mean c'mon is the bass going to hold on longer? No he is already wearing the latest lip piercing fashion.Is the bass going to track the crank via scent trail?? I really think not.

x2, But if it gives you more confidence, go for it  

[LCpointerKILLA]

I don't use scents on any baits.

same with me

[BASS fisherman]

I think that the whole idea of a scent a moving lure like a crank,topwater,or spinner is just an industry gimmick.I mean c'mon is the bass going to hold on longer? No he is already wearing the latest lip piercing fashion.Is the bass going to track the crank via scent trail?? I really think not.

Scents are good for slow movers,plastics and jigs,and of course that is up for controversy as always.

X3   Fish hit cranks out of reaction, not because it "smells" good.  

[Mid-MO]

I agree that a good percentage of strikes on a crankbait come from reaction.  But I've also seen enough fish follow my crank to the boat that I know that isn't always true.

To me, scent could do two things.  One, it might help them find the bait a little faster/easier.   Two, it might tempt that fish that is just following the bait to go ahead and eat.  I guess you could also guess that the scent could help cause a "reaction" strike because of the familar scent.

The scent definately won't have any effect once they try to eat the bait - the 6 hooks eliminate the chance of any second thoughts - or should.  

I don't see that adding scent could hurt in many instances.  I'm just curious to see if there is a product that can be worth the hassle and stay on the lure.

[mike bat]

if no one is using a sent on a crank bait how can we tell how good it works ??????  i was just thinking i wonder if shad leave a sent trail behind them as they swim ???? or what about a injured or bleeding shad ,,, does it leave a sent trail ???? maybee a sent on a crank is a great ideal ???? someone should try this .....

[MattStrykul]

I think I read the article here on BR about an older man that dipped his crankbait into gasoline to prove it didn't matter, but I may be wrong....

[flippin]

put a small piece of spounge on the hooks soaked in scet all i use is bang

[Sam]

I asked Bobby of Megastrike to respond to this thread.

It is always great to hear from one of our sponsors.

Please read what he has to say about Megastrike.

Thanks.

[islandbass]

I have used gel/paste type attractants such as megastrike and Nitro craw on my crank and jerk baits. I also place some on the bends of the trebles and any excess onto the 12-18" line.

I haven't seen a decrease in strikes so it might be a confidence thing for the individual angler.

Now with salmon fishing, I have noticed getting more strikes doing this over those that did not from the dock and I am talking easily 50 other anglers with me on the same dock. In a 2 hour period I got 4 strikes(lost them all ) while NO ONE else on the dock even got a strike regardless of what they were using and I know I was the only one putting a gel attractant.

I think the whims of the fish plays a certain role but the jury is still out. I think it supports my confidence, but on the other side of the coin, I have been nailing bass on cranks long before I ever thought of using attractants. :

Bottomline: use it if you think it helps you.

[Tokyo Tony]

Now with salmon fishing, I have noticed getting more strikes doing this over those that did not from the dock and I am talking easily 50 other anglers with me on the same dock. In a 2 hour period I got 4 strikes(lost them all ) while NO ONE else on the dock even got a strike regardless of what they were using and I know I was the only one putting a gel attractant.

50 other anglers with no strikes???  That sounds like a lousy 2 hours.  Hope you guys had some whiskey.

I sometimes put MegaStrike on hardbaits if I'm having a tough day, but not usually.  Not sure if it makes a difference, but the MegaStrike definitely stays on the bait for a while.