Bass Sense of Smell?????

[crazychuy]

Hey Everybody,

New to the board and am here in California. I am wondering about something.

Do you guys see a difference in Bass fishing success between smokers and non-smokers?

I am a smoker and have tried to quit MANY times but am unsuccessful and was wondering if the smell on my hands could be the reason why I've been getting skunked the last couple of times out?

If so I may have not been able to quit for myself before but you bet I'll quit for fishing. ;D

Any solutions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

CHUY

[hi_steel_basser]

Hey, Crazychuy, welcome to the forum. I smoke, too, and these are some solutions I have found. First, bass DO smell the tobacco on your lure, and second, it WILL stop them from biting. Now, if you really want to quit, read no further. Here are some solutions to your problem. Use a scent on your bait at all times. I like Jack's Juice and Carolina Lunker Sauce. Both in garlic. I never throw a slow moving bait without it. Second, if I am pitchin, I will spray my right (lure holding) hand with a liberal dose of Jack's. Also, I have heard that Ivory soap is actually a positive scent for bass, so you may try washing your hands with it after a smoke. I have'nt tried this yet, but I have had several people tell me to try it. Good luck quitting.

[patbfishing123]

I agree with hi_steel_basser.  If you want to overcome the smell of tobacco on your hands just use an overwhelming scent on your lure.  I like to use garlic, garlic is a very strong and overpowering scent that the fish love and should cover up the scent from your hands... GOOD LUCK!

Pat

[.ghoti.]

That's the only reason to use a scent on your baits. I don't mean just for smokers. We leave all kinds of trace odors on our baits, and a good scent is the best way to fight it.

Cheers,

GK

[Zonked]

Wow, this topic blows my mind. As a smoker I never really gave it much thought...its off to Dicks SG to pick up a bottle of something garlicy.

[patbfishing123]

Yes sir garlic is where its at... GOOD LUCK!  

[George Welcome]

While you are buying something to hide whatever smell you think that bass can smell, you should put in an application to buy the bridge I have for sale between California and Hawaii.

[roadwarrior]

While you are buying something to hide whatever smell you think that bass can smell, you should put in an application to buy the bridge I have for sale between California and Hawaii.

Pretty early to be so witty!  8-)

Tobacco and beer are fish attractants.

Other so called "attractants" MAY cause a fish to hold a bait a moment longer, but that's about all. I have experimented with a number of brands over the years and still use MegaStrike occasionally, but when I run out I won't be buying anymore. I have never noticed ANY difference in fishing with or without scent. I am 100% sure bass do not care whether you smoke or not. Spend your money on something else.

[rocknfish9001]

I personally am a firm believer in using scents. But i do not believe for one second that it will help attract a bass. The whole scent trail thing that they try to play is a load of crap. I only use it for the soul purpose that i have confidence that it encourages a bass to strike and hold on a tiny fraction of a second longer. Sometimes i believe a bass will go up to a lure and stare it down, but not strike it. Maybe if the lure is really stinking, that might be enough to convince it that the thing is real and edible. I have noticed a difference in hookups in the use of scents, and i would like to say an increase in strikes, but i dont have enough details or an in-depth log to prove myself 100%.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Welcome crazychuy,

I've been told that fish can smell the chemicals left behind from the cigarettes. I think quitting would be your best decision. (I lost both my parents due to smoking related diseases)

Good luck,

Falcon

[Baconstrip]

I am 100% sure bass do not care whether you smoke or not. Spend your money on something else.

Smokers are probably used to wasting money anyway...   ;D

[Fish Man]

my uncle smokes cigars alot and he still manages to outfush me on many occaisons  :-?

[Trevor in Burke]

I dip and have gotten used to washing off my hands after touching tobacco, i've just always believed it affected the bait, that and bugspray i find is a huge repellant to fish, who knows, i've also heard it's good to spray WD-40 on your baits, I haven't tried it because i think it's stupid but who really knows and wants to waist precious fishing time testing it out when you could be slayin' 'em

[longhair]

I just finished reading a book on Bass and they have all the senses including smell.  I am not saying that the scents do or don't help but if your bait has a smell to it that they don't know it might be one less bite.  So the scent add on factor can't hurt.  And yes I smoke too.  

[KYbass1276]

While you are buying something to hide whatever smell you think that bass can smell, you should put in an application to buy the bridge I have for sale between California and Hawaii.

I agree,   While there are few man made oders that are inherently repulusive to bass Cigarette oder isn't one of them and there is no proof that it is.  One of the worst things that a fisherman can do that will absoulutly deter a bass and I mean make them run is the use of bug repellant with Deet.

 

[KYbass1276]

Here is graph that will help with the garlic myth as well.  It's not a wonder scent and yet people swear by it.  The fact is it dissapates long befor the bass get a hold of the bait

[Triton21]

LAVA soap is the only common brand soap without any odor.  I use it often when fishing.  If you want to quit cigs. get your Dr. to write you a Scrip for Chantix.  My wife and I both quit in Jan. using this med.  I had smoked for 50 years and my wife had smoked for 40 years.  You have to have some willpower and the desire to quit but it works.

Kelley

[RoLo]

Hi crazychuy, welcome to the bass forum

Until I notice barbels protruding from a bass's chin,

I can't excited about their sense of smell.

My cigarette-smoking buddy outfishes me every time,

but I'll be darned if I'm going to take up smoking.

Roger