Have you ever wondered what could instantly increase your catch rate and make your fishing trips more successful? The answer might be simpler than you think—FISHING SCENTS. These powerful attractants are designed to mask human odors and mimic the natural smells that fish find irresistible. By using the right fishing scents, you can increase your chances of landing that trophy fish, and mostly significantly boost your catch rate.
Fishing scents are essential for any angler who wants to take their fishing game to the next level. Whether you’re targeting bass, catfish, or trout, the right scent can make all the difference. Not only do they help draw fish in, but they also keep them interested in your bait longer, increasing your chances of getting a solid bite. Guys, today we’re going to be talking about fishing scents. Let’s Bring It On!.
The Evolution of Fishing Scents.
Fishing scents are essential in attracting fish to your bait. It mimics the smell of natural prey, making it easier for fish to locate. Using artificially produced scent attractants can enhance your chances of catching more fish. Many fish are easily spooked by visible lures, so incorporating scent into your strategy is a smart move.
We know that fishing flavors like garlic and anise attract several species of fish. The aroma from these scents triggers the fish’s olfactory senses, leading to an increased probability of success.
In The Early Days.
Fishing scents have been around forever. Ask any guy who fishes for catfish, how important scent is in their baits. People started making their own fishing scents years ago. For example, mixing vegetable oil with different types of scents to create homemade fish attractants. Since then, there have been many advancements in fishing scents. Scientists now study what appeals to fish and create formulas based on their findings. While I don’t get all of the science behind it, I can tell you that fishing scents work under certain situations and do lead to more strikes.
Types of Fishing Scents.
There are several categories of fishing scents on the market today, each with its unique benefits:
- Oil-Based Spray Fishing Scents – These contain concentrated oils usually extracted from fish or marine life. They leave a slick trail behind you as you fish or cast. Although effective, they can be harmful and pollutive when overused.
- Gel-Based Dipping Fishing Scents – Attractant gel-based fishing scents are thicker and stickier than oil-based ones. They tend to remain intact longer on your lure, ensuring that the scent remains active even after prolonged casting.
- Crayfish-Based Fishing Scents – These are formulated explicitly for crayfish species such as bass and catfish. They often work best during spawning season when fish reactions prioritize mating rituals and feeding behavior.
Knowing which scent is the most suitable for specific waters and fish species can make all the difference in your catch rate.
How To Make Your Own Fishing Scents.
You can easily mix bait scent products like Anise, Garlic, Shrimp Oil, Fish Oil, or Blood with an oil-based agent like olive oil, cod liver oil, or vegetable oil. Then add this to an absorbent material like dry dog food, chicken livers, or hotdog pieces to create your custom fishing scent for catfish bait for example.
For trout or bass fishing, you’ll want a fishing scent that will stick to your lures like glue right? The goal is a fishing scent gel for soft baits that can readily absorb the scent. For that, you’ll want something oil-based.
For a hard baits oil-based fishing scents will dissolve after a couple of casts, so you’re going to want to use a gel-based fishing scent. Whatever you do, make sure it adheres to your lure or bait.
Making homemade fish scents is easy and requires only a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen:
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Glycerin (a gel agent)
- Bottle with a tight-fitting cap (4oz mini plastic bottle, 4oz Plastic Squeeze bottles)
The glycerin can be found at any health food store or online, and it’s necessary to make the scent last longer. The bottle should also have a tight-fitting cap to prevent the scent from leaking out. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try different things.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Fishing Scent.
To make the simple fish scent using household items, it’s as easy as follow these steps:
- Mix together equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar in the bottle.
- Add a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of glycerin to the mixture.
- Tightly cap the bottle and shake well to combine all the ingredients.
- Let the mixture sit for 24 hours so that the scent can develop fully.
Poof! Your homemade fish scent is now ready to use! Apply a small amount to your fishing lures or bait before casting into the water.
DIY Fishing Scent Storage.
Making homemade fishing scents is a great way to save money and to create your own custom blend. However, it’s important to store your fishing scents properly to ensure that it maintains it’s effectiveness. Here are some tips:
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Use an airtight container or bag
- Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
- Refrigerate for extended shelf life if possible
Modern Advancements; Impregnated Baits
A great source of scented baits available to the angler is the impregnated plastic lures. By impregnated, I mean these are ready-made scents that are “built” into the plastic like the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm or the Z-MAN Scented Jerk ShadZ. The ShadZ is a 4-inch Soft Plastic Jerkbait that is impregnated with their Pro-Cure Mullet Super Gel scent. The benefit of this impregnation process is it allows the attracting smells to be released over a long period.
Scents like salt, garlic, and anise lead the way, but you have many more lure scents or flavors you can choose from. These scented lures have proven to be popular with anglers and catch fish.
When to Use Fishing Scents
Slow-Moving Lures
Fishing scents are most effective with slow-moving lures like jigs, shaky heads, drop shots, and tubes. When these lures are on the bottom, fish often get close to study them from different angles. A scent can make your lure more appealing, leading to more bites.
Fast-Moving Lures
I wouldn’t suggest using fishing scents for fast-moving lures like crankbaits or jerkbaits. These lures rely more on their movement to attract fish, so the added scent really isn’t necessary.
How to Apply Fishing Scents
Now that you’ve made your homemade fishing scents and stored them correctly, it’s time to put them to use. You want to apply it in a way that maximizes its potential for attracting fish. Here are some application methods:
- Apply every 20-30 minutes (depending on water temperature and conditions)
- Apply directly to your bait/lure using a dropper bottle or syringe
- Make sure to cover your bait/lure completely with the scent
- Try dipping your bait/lure into the scent and then casting out
My Personal Experience with Fishing Scents
For one thing, using fishing scents can boost your confidence. Knowing you have something like fishing scents that might attract fish can make you more patient and focused, which can improve your overall fishing experience. I know.., it’s not science, but I think we all have experienced what a confidence boost can do in improving any situation.
When it comes to catfishing, my two “go-to” fishing scent baits are garlic-infused chicken livers and chicken breast, or tender chunks marinated in Koolaid mix. I don’t leave home without these two when I go catfishing. They catch fish for sure.
Trout Fishing Scents: Man.., when it comes to trout fishing, I love this dipping fishing scent. More specifically the Berkley PowerBait Trout Dip Roe, 5-Ounce. I’ll set up my colorado rig, add a small ball of the PowerBait dough to the hook, and before casting it out, I dip it in the Roe “sauce”. When it gets tough and they aren’t biting. I always break out my Trout dip. It works!
Best Fishing Scents For Bass: So when it comes to using scents for bass, to be honest, I haven’t explored it like I have for catfish and trout. I’ve had hardly any “luck” using a product that popped up in my Facebook feed. It is the Scent Fish Attractants for Baits – 60ml Natural High Concentration Fish Bait. It comes in a small spray bottle and you just spritz your bait with it.
I’ve applied it to a couple of soft baits like an artificial worm, but honestly, I didn’t work the bait much. A few casts and I was switching rods and bass rigs to play with something else. I do not want to give this stuff a “fail” just yet as I do want to do a more analytical “study” of it.
I did see another bass fishing scent product I want to try. It’s the Pro-Cure Trophy Bass Super Gel. I’ve watched a couple of youtube videos and those guys did pretty good with it. They have several bass “flavors” like Garlic, Crawfish, Trophy Bass, Nightcrawler, Gizzard Shad, Anise, Butt Juice (yeah.., butt juice. What the heck is that? LOL), and more. It’s not that expensive and it’ll be a fun day experimenting and reviewing this I think.
One of the most popular fishing scents is garlic fishing scent for bass.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, fishing scents have evolved into a highly effective way to enhance your fishing experience. With advances in both science and practical applications, you can use scents to target specific species and increase your odds of success. Whether you’re using oil-based or gel-based scents, or even trying your hand at DIY attractants, there’s a method out there that will suit your fishing style.
If you’re serious about improving your catch rate, it’s time to incorporate fishing scents into your strategy. Try them on your next outing and experience the remarkable results for yourself!
Give fishing scents a go. Tight lines and happy fishing!