garlic

[Michael H]

hey i recently saw a tip on a fishing show that said putting garlic and salt in a container and dipping lures in before you use them can increase your catch

have any of you done this or somthing similar and if so dose it work?

[Muddpuppy]

I think that garlic oil will spread out in the water better and probably last longer on the baits.  I put just about all of my plastic baits in boxes and will occassionally will put a drop or two of garlic or anise oil on my plastic baits to keep them moist.   I also will spinkle course sea salt in them to remove moisture if they get wet.  I am undecided on the garlic and comercial scents as well and I use them too.  I have a friend that swears that garlic has a negetive effect on fish.  He was only buying baits that did not come with garlic at least for a while.  I'm not sure if he still is.

[fishingrulz]

it doesn't help you catch more fish as much as it makes the fish hold on longer so you have a longer amount of time to get a hook set when your fishing with plastics thats why most plastic baits are salt impregnated. you only use scent for plastic baits.

[bowjunkie35]

And I think you mean GARLIC right?   (sp)

[Michael H]

lol yep i need to pay more attention when i type

[Rebbasser]

I use several garlic scents-Kick'n Bass, Carolina Lunker Sauce and YUM garlic, and they do make a difference IMO.

[gajpb]

One more thing on this subject: I picked up a tip somewhere that has proven effective and saves $$. Go to Kroger and pick up a generic brand can of garlic flavored cooking spray. It stays on the bait (soft plastics in my experience) forever and yes, I think the fish do hold on to it for a while. Also, I'll spray a bit in the particular bag of worms or lizards I'm using that day.

[bassaddict62]

I think if the garlic helps mask any human odors, that would be enough. Most of the time bass suck in plastics so fast and deep that they couldn't spit them out if they wanted to. A lot of bass I lose are on the line for 15 seconds before I lose them, and the hook never made it through the worm. So, holding on longer is never an issue for me.

[Marty]

you only use scent for plastic baits.

I only use it for spinnerbaits. I've had problems in the past with negative odors and skirts hold odor, it doesn't wash off, and I can't use a SB with confidence without the scent.

So, holding on longer is never an issue for me.

Agreed. Plastics without salt or scent have always, in my experience, been held by the fish more than long enough for a hookset.

[The_Natural]

I'll add that garlic is also my favorite scent.  It just flat stays on your bait longer (I can smell it!).  I use craw oil for my jigs and garlic on everything else.

[Nick]

It's generally a confidence thang. Many of my buds swear that bass are Italian, ergo the garlic spray!