SCENTS, Do they work?

[Guest]

I would appreciate anybody advice on using Scents when Ice fishing. I have never really noticed any difference. But, give me your input(s). Thanks

[Guest]

I bought some stuff last year that seem to produce better numbers then my friends. In fact they were a little upset that they forgot to bring their scents with them. I would dare to say I would catch 6 to there 1. I know I had 2 types of scents with me 1 was Minnow and the other Night Crawler. Now on a different trip out I used Crappies nibbles in pink, white and green. I like the pink for perch. I will say that one summer I was at the local reservoir and I tossed a few of the Crappie wibbler to some hungry fish. The crappies quickly spit the power bait out but the blue gills love them eating as many as I could toss to them. I hope this helps.
THINK ICE!

[This message has been edited by Morrocco Mole (edited 12-28-2001).]

[Guest]

Thanks Morroco Mole, I will evaluate what others have to say about scents. Great info about the crappies spitting out the bait. Goes to tell you something about scents. Thanks

[Guest]

Thanks Coldone
Have you or anyone else out there have more success with any specific scents with any specific species? Thanks for your information.

[Guest]

Smelly Jelly has worked wonders for pike, tiger muskie, bass, trout, walleye, perch and wipers for me.

[This message has been edited by Avalanche (edited 12-29-2001).]

[Guest]

Avalanche thanks for the input. Any ideas where a guy can find this stuff? I would like to give it a try.
HappyNewYear

[Guest]

Scents are great, they may not seem to make a difference, as alot of times crappies can be willing biters, but get into a tough bite situation, and they can make all the difference. Scents help out in all aspects of getting a fish to bite. The presence of scent near your bait diffuses through the water, forming a gradient or "scent trail" to the area of your lure/jig. scents add another dimension of reality to your presentation, adding another factor, to help "convince" a fish that is attracted to your presentation, to stike at it. Also scents help to cover or negate any negative scents that may have been transferred to your tackle from your hand or your environment. There are fishing and hunting soaps that are formulated to remove "human" scents from your hands, think of all the bowhunters out there who swear by using scents and scent controls. Tobacco, gasoline, money, exhaust, food, etc. all leave trace amounts of scent on your hands, clothing and tackle, that fish may react negatively to. In a tough bite, pay attention to all of these factors, and it definately will make a differnce.

[Guest]

Crappie Hunter...This may sound crazy but
Preperation-H works great for fish sent. You may laugh all you want but think about it a bit. What's it made of? (fish-oil) Use the "old" type that comes in a tube.
It's a cream and stays on longer.

[Guest]

Ahhhhh......so you put it on the bait huh?

Thats great news Eh, them suppositories kinda made me walk funny Eh!

HA!

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 12-30-2001).]

[Guest]

PaChuckles,
I have heard that before. I also heard that WD-40 works to. But I don't want to put that stuff in the water. Thanks for the info. Also, Backwater - let me tell ya, Its harder to put those suppositories in those **** minnows. uhhhh man they don't like it.
HeHe
Crappie Hunter.

[Guest]

Scents....I have no experience with...Although I know that plain hooks work good....Fish are more visual when it comes to gaining interest. Thats why colors are so important.
PCG

[Guest]

Pro Crappie Guide
I believe your right. I will catch my fish on the red and green colored hooks then any other plain hook. It's probably a 4 to 1 in my favor. Thanks for the input and Have a Safe and Happy New Year.

[Guest]

While vision is a well developed adaptation of fish, their olfactory perception (sense of smell) is equally well developed if not more. Most of the time, scents may not be necessary, but in tough bite situations, pay off quickly. I have used and have had good success with some of the Berkely products; power bait, wigglers, as well as fish oil, anise oil, and don't forget that live bait has built in scent.

[This message has been edited by coldone (edited 12-31-2001).]

[Guest]

Also keep in mind that certain things like power baits give a different look to your presentation.
When fish are finicky and don't budge I change my presentation....To a plain hook tipped with nothing. Then I can catch a bunch.
Fish don't always feed cuz they're hungary.
If they are not hungary then scents will not work..
Sometimes it requires making them bite on impulse....Competitive strikes drawn from curiosity.
If one fish comes at your bait just to check it out and has no intent to bite, and another fish comes at the same time, they race to the bait and bite out of impulse.
Just a few things I have found to make myself more successful.
Happy New Year
PCG

[Guest]

Hey Guys
Thanks for all the input. I am swaying back to using scents again. BUT, one guy had a great point. He said that all most all scents have a tendency to bring in Northerns, Muskie etc. and you know what happens if a Northern or Muskie is around. The panfish go into hiding mode. What do you guys think?

[vern]

I use Berkely power nibbles. I always have a jar with me when I'm panfishing. I often find them to be as effective as wax worms, eurolarva and minnows. Although, I like to have an assortment of all those baits. I think scent is very important, and the power nibbles work great for crappies and bluegills. Great backup bait if nothing else. Vern