Does bait scent really work for lures?

Question

I would like to know whether its worth buying bait scent and using it on lures, for bass. I also heard about the nasty smelling pre-made bait for catfish, do they work?

Answer 1

Yes something to ad flavor to your lures does work but they mainly give the fish the taste of something to hold on to!You still need to fish for them and hookem but they do help!

Answer 2

Personally, I like to use scents and attractants when I fish for bass. I feel there is no down side to using them and I think at the bare minimum they do a decent job of masking any offensive odors that my hands may leave on my baits and I think in the long run they will get you more bites. They also act as a lubricant when you lure is sliding over and through wood & weeds ;) I am pretty sure, less hang ups will mean more bites as well!
The available catfish stink bait will catch fish, but I believe that cut bait will outfish the prepared baits available in stores and baitshops. The only good thing about them is they are ready to go on your hook. No need to catch bait then use it for catfishing.

Answer 3

What I believe the scented bass spray like bass attack is for is not to attract the fish but when the fish dose fall for the lure it is more likely to strike and to hold on to the bait longer for better hook sets. So yes I think having the sent is beneficial.

The premade catfish bait will catch catfish but nothing is better than fresh cut or live bait.

Answer 4

Well I think attractant scent on some slow moving lures might be helpful . Lures like worms or jigs that bass inspect / smell before they eat, a scent will help in my opinion.

On faster moving reaction strike type lures that fish dont have time to smell it doesnt seem to matter.

I personally have had my best luck out of severaI attractants tried by using, baitmate catfish attractant . But I use it for largemouth bass not catfish , It works great for me .

I dont like the stinkbait catfish baits . Those smelly baits seem to only catch smaller catfish. I like to use fresh cut bait like shad , bluegill , or shiners to catch catfish.

Live bluegill or large live minnows are great when fishing for flathead catfish.

Answer 5

I agree with Eric.

It will cause a fish to "hold on" to your lure for a split second longer so you can feel the strike.

There are many attractants on the market and some actually "turn fish on".

I know for a fact that Bass WILL hold onto a "Berkley" worm longer than any other plastic worm. I've seen it in action at "Sportsman Conventions" using a giant fishing tank. They really DO work.

I spray all my lures with some type of "human scent" disguising/attractant spray. Would you go hunting for Deer (or game) with your smelly , sweaty , "yard-work" clothes on? HECK NO!

I guess you could say I'm a believer! (lol)

PS: I talked with a "Berkley" Sales Rep back in the day and he gave me a tip for attractant's: Liquid Attractant's work best in clear cold environs. I guess they "displace" better. I have applied this concept to Ice Fishing with GREAT results! I have soaked a rag in attractant and submerged it and it really has doubled my ice-fishing catches. And of course, it works wonders for summer Bass-fishing!

Answer 6

As I stated in an earlier question, I ain't into the attractant scene, however I was turned on by a friend usin' Pro-Cure and that D _ _ n stuff really did a job. Definitely don't want ta' contradict Brandon (man knows his stuff), but I used it on a KwikFish plug back-trollin' for Chinook Salmon and what can I say, "FISH ON"...

Answer 7

Yes they work. Fish depend a lot on scent since most of the lakes around here(DFW) aren't very clear.

Answer 8

my professional treatment is a gel, in a squeeze bottle. l basically squeeze a dab on the seize or my finger and basically smear it on. despite if, in many cases l use stinky jelly professional formulation gel. is provided in a jar. l touch it with my fingertip which in many cases places a adequate quantity on it, and it too, l basically smear on my seize. in many cases a working laptop or computing device virus or different soft plastic. and chris is right. many are sprays. l like BANG! spray. i did no longer try this THUMB DOWN, CHRIS!!

Answer 9

yeah they do, My dad always put tabaco on them because it covers th human scent. :)