Scent Attractants ... Do they work??

[NCLaker]

Anyone have any experience using scent fish attractants?

- Do they work?

- Recommendations on brand, scent?

- What situations & lures/bait are they best for?

- Use on walleye/bass/etc?

Never used them before, but before I try it I wanted to get some feedback to see if it is worth the extra hassel, smell, and i hear the stain some lures. I am a little skeptical on if it makes a difference or not. I have been looking at the Yum line, like the spray bottle. Thanks!

[fishguyd]

used to play with them quite a bit 10 years ago and only saw one case where the old fish formula actually made a difference on Canadian pike. Other than that do not waste your time. Im assuming your referring to scents that you apply to the bait and not impregnated baits like Powerbait?

[bigdog]

I have only used them when trolling trout. I found that on a slow day if I added some scent to a hard bait it would help at least 50% of the time. Have not tried different types, just use an anise scent.

[metrojoe]

I’ve used scent attractants quite a bit, in fact I still do, but I’ve had mixed results. There was one time while out crappie fishing that it worked like magic. We were just using Flu Flus and Gypsy jigs dipped in a crappie scent attractant. You couldn’t get a bite without it. It was a small square green bottle. I think it was Dr Juice, but all I really remember is it had a bright orange clearance sticker on it. So I’m sure I dug it out of one of those bins at Fleet Farm. I still use Berkley’s Crappie attractant from time to time and I’ve also had good luck with Bait Mates Walleye attractant. I might have to order a bottle of that Dr Juice and give it another try.

[Cooter]

Well I'm convinced a scented worm such as a Power worm will outfish a regular, unscented plastic worm. And I'm also convinced a regular worm with some kind of attractant on it will outfish one without. So with a slow presentation for bass I say it helps.

[gulllakeguy]

I use scents/attractants alot and they do work. I use a certain brand for walleyes when I am pulling cranks. My father and good friend doubted it but after a half hour of trolling and me catching 3 fish to their combined 0 using the same lures they were willing to try(they actually took me down and pried it out of my hands). They started catching fish. Sometimes it seems to not make a difference, when the fish are really agressive anyways. Ah its just another thing to buy. You'll catch fish without it too.

[NCLaker]

gulllakeguy, If you don't mind sharing ... what were you using?

[Bob/Mn]

You bet they do work. I have use power bait nibbles for years on panfish.

I don't believe the power bait will out preform live bait but it sure enhances small jigs.

I have seen many times where panfish would not bite a plane jig. Install a piece of power bait and you would get bit.

[NCLaker]

Thanks for the feedback on the scent impregnated baits (e.g. gulp/power bait).

My question really was targed at the 3rd party scent/attractants that you have to spray/rub it on your lure/bait.

[harvey lee]

For years my father used anise in liquid form and dipped his bait in it. We were fishing one day and we were both using the same bait and I laughed at him for pouring it on his minnow. After 4-5 walleyes caught and myself nothing, I did the same thing and then matched him fish for fish.

This is no fish story.

[UMDSportsman]

There have been numerous occasions where I have outfished other people in the same boat using the same rigs while i was using an attractant on my bait and they were not. Best time was once with my father and i were fishing a location with about 15-20 other boats and we were pulling them in at least 3-1 over any other boat we saw.

[Sandmannd]

An older fisherman told he me sprayed WD40 on his bait. He swore by it. Anyone know if this works or if it's legal?

[hhguide]

nope but alot of people still do it!

[RiverBassGuy]

Maybe he didn't want you to catch any of his fish! I wouldn't think that fish are attracted to wd40 any more than they are sunscreen or gasoline. wives tale for sure.

[rockman]

I have always been under the impression that one benefit of scents is they are supposed to help cover up/mask the smell of gasoline,marine lube, or most kinds of smells that are on the hands/fingers. I can't see where WD-40 being a petroleum based product would do that by any means.I sure don't spray WD-40 on my lures, or baits.

[Sandmannd]

That's what I thought, never tried it, kinda thought he was full of it.

[gulllakeguy]

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[slipperybob]

WD40 helps to keep those split rings and treble hooks from rusting up on you. LOL's

[hhguide]

Have any of you guys tried WD-40?

[tacklejunkie]

i have heard that preperation h works. i use dr juice when trolling the lake superior for lakers and had decent luck with it.

[LoonASea]

At one time (long ago) WD40 had shark oil in it,,, it has since changed its formula,,,, but back in 60s 70s early 80s Ive heard of people using WD40, Pickle Juice and other unconventional scents to catch fish

Randoid

[Grant Pearson]

the only attractant I will use is the Berkley Gulp! baits. I've had great luck with them on crappies, sunnies, and some northerns.

[RiverBassGuy]

I can just imagine all of the PWT competitors rubbing preparation H on their lures before each event!! LOL! Would preparation H make your lures smaller too? LOL

[redhooks]

If anything a little extra scent will cover up your human odor, especially if handling gas, sunscreen, bug dope... I usually use Lindy no-scent soap for that. Someone told me Prep-H had shark oil in it as well. Not sure but the old "oil of olay" ( in glass jars) used to have turtle oil in it and worked very well for trout fishing.

redhooks