scents

[.ghoti.]

I'm a firm beleiver in scents for all slow moving baits. I use a scent on all plastics and jigs. Not because they draw more bites. They don't.  It takes a good presentation in a good location to draw a strike. A scent will keep the bait in the fish's mouth longer, giving more time to set the hook. Some baits, like GYCB, Powerbait, Yum baits and Chompers, to name a few, don't need a scent. The scent/taste is already there. But, I still use something anyway to cover up any scent or tastes I've added to the baits.

In my bag now are Megastrike, Powerbait liquid, Kick-N-Bass and Ultrabite. I've used most of the scents out there, and I don't really think one is any better than the other. I don't care for the sprays. They go everywhere, particularly in the wind. Megastrike may well be the least messy. I probably use Powerbait the most.

Cheers,

GK

[Catt]

I use attractants for two purposes first as a lubricant because I fish in grass a lot and the attractant helps my plastic baits slide through easier.  I use Fish Formula II or Baitmate (clear) with a ½ oz of pure anise oil added; this is to mast any odor my plastic may have pick up.

[KYbass1276]

this stuff stays on for an hour on a Crankbait!! Also it is water based so it slowly dilutes in the water unlike oil scents,

Actually it's quite opposite it disperses faster than a oil base scent because it is water souluble. A example is latex paint is water based. When you rinse out your brush after your done painting what happens, all the left over paint disolves rather quickly, hence it is water based. Now try rinseing out a brush that has been used painting a oil based paint and what happens, it dosen't disperse or breakup near as easy or at all because it is oil based.

Even those who think oil based scents are attractants they in fact are not. What happens if you drop a couple of drops of oil into the water where does it go, to the top how many fish hang around that area. They do have a great ability to mask the offensive odors since oil base scents do not wash off near as easy the are great for masking oders but offer no attractant value since the scent will not disperse in the water like a water based scent will. While they are great for masking odors they are poor flavor carriers To test this go to your kitchen get a pinch of sugar and put in your mouth. You should be able to taste it's sweetness well. Rinse out you mouth with some water wait a minute or two then take some cooking oil and swish around in your mouth and spit it out then try a pinch of sugar. If your able to test the sugar at all it will be bland tasting. Personally I agree with Rolo myself and don't really waste my money on scents but I don't think they don't work either but you have to learn what is fact and what is advertising BS.

[Lard_Bass]

Megastrike.  Also, a little garlic marker at the end of a worm (in a slightly brigther color) has been money for me.  A green worm with a little yellow garlic at the end of the tail has worked well.  

[Chris]

Fish attractants that are oil based are made by, smashing fish or crawfish into a paste. The paste is then strained for select compounds. These select compounds are then used to create the newest fish formula. Oil based fish attractants are said to be on the low end of the scale for effectiveness in attracting bass. They will cause a fish to take a longer look at your bait or keep it in their mouth longer before they spit it. Oil based attractants will mask offending odors. In clear water the oil will make the bait appear to have a slime coat.

Attractants which include amino acids are based on evidence that combinations of amino acids can stimulate feeding in many fish species. Amino acids come from animal proteins and all living animals have their own unique amino acid combinations, giving each a distinct taste and odor. Amino acids rate high at attracting fish from a distance.

Scents such as anise, banana oil, and garlic are extracts from plants. These plant products do not seem to have the same fish attracting ability as amino acids, but can cause fish to be of interested. Plant extracts are very effective in covering human odors along with others that might be present on your offering.

Attractants are based on phermones or better classified as the elk in rut chemical. Phermones are chemicals that animals use to communicate with members of their own species. Bass release their own phermones which are detected by the olfactory receptors of others. Fish in general, are thought to identify members of their species through the use of this chemical. Mating and courtship are also influenced by the chemicals presence. Phermones decompose rapidly and it seems their main function is to alert other fish of short term danger or attraction.

Things to keep in mind:

-wax don't mix with water

-scent made with anything alive does spoil and can become toxic

-some companies put less than desirable stuff in their scent

-if the stuff takes forever to wash off your lure then how water soluable do you think it is.

-scent needs to be able to blend with water for the fish to smell it.

[Rattlinrogue]

I used Yum Garlic and switched to Bang Garlic(MAN,is it strong!).I use these scents not as an attractant but to cover up human and foreign scents that might spook a bass.I'd like to try the Megastrike but can't find it anywhere(BPS?).I also mix up my own anise oil based cover scent.

[MattStrykul]

I use GRAVY in garlic. Im not sure if it gives me more bites, but it boosts confidence a little bit which helps alot  ;D

[fourbizz]

MegaStrike and Pro-Cure.

[Triton9]

when i use scents i use megastrike or jack's juice.

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

First off id like to thank "chris" for posting that information, extremely imformative and mayn things i learned from reading that, i personally like megastrike and have used it for 3 years or so now, recently within a year and a half got the bang spray can in crawfish and even if it scientifically doesnt catch more fish it really boosts my confidence, my yearly 1 week fishing trip to maine proves my personal belief in scents, i use the stuff religiously and maybe its affected my mind but when not using them not much is biting, once i spray it on nice and easily its like bam... someone turned on a switch and largies and espcially smallies are all over these baits, as you can see im a big fan of scents and the worst they do is help masking the odors off of our hands  

[WhiteMike1018]

Meagstrike, Baitmate Live, and Bang Craw

[bass109]

never had any luck with power pro scent.

[Sam]

Nothing leaves the boat without a scent being applied.

Probably more mental then reality.

Mega Strike,

Carolina Lunker Sauce

Jack's Juice

And I "marinate" a few plastics the day before in a scent.

Does it help?  I really can't say.  But at least it can't hurt.