Everyone has worms; But what about Smells?

[pjmcla]

As a sister discussion to the worms we carry ( or lug );  Who all carries a special oil / oils;  or concoctions; they believe ups their catch.  Home made, or store bought.  And; do you really think it helps that much? 

[ghostbaits]

I keep a bottle of BANG in the boat but not for the smell. When I am punching heavy mats, I need the bait to be slick to get through! BANG does it nicely.

Other than that, I am a non-believer in special scents. I do add Upper Hand into my plastic though to reduce the "plastic" smell of baits.

Jim

[Dave]

No scents for me. 

[andrewlamberson]

I sometimes put a few drops of a coffee scent, or the Upper Hand Hawg and Garlic....but I don't think it matters much to a bass. The normally hit something so fast I find it hard to believe that they were drawn by the scent.

I don't really worry about the bass smelling plastic...they don't know what that smell  is anyway...and it's not like coffee or garlic smells like anything natural they eat either (I suppose).

It probably like the color discussion....if you have more confidence in a particular scent ....you will fish it with more confidence...and catch more fish.

Now...Mann's Jelly worms....that's a whole different story...bass love grape flavor!! 

[kipbass]

Jelly is so strong, I have to double bag it so it doesn't contaminate my other baits! Del used to carry a garlic oil, it was very strong. I wonder who supplied him?

[Jason]

I've used Upper Hand Hawg Sauce the last couple years, but switched to Upper Hand Toad Magnet earlier this year and have been really happy with it.  I can't say 100% it produces better than nothing or something else, but it gives me confidence and I like the way it smells.

I use to use garlic, but I don't normally snack while fishing and it made me hungry - for real.   

[Muskygary]

I use scent to help cover up the human scent. Im always worried I might have got some gasoline or other smell on my hands. I not only add it to my plastics, but may sprinkle a couple of drops in my hands and rub them together. (I can put up with smelly hands if Im catching fish)

[superharmonix]

I use anise.  ...not so much for the fish, but to cover up the plastic smell and the human scent factor.  I did have a recent trip where two of us on the boat were using identical colors, but I had the anise baits and he didn't.  Before he switched to the scented baits I was up on him by 5 or 6 fish.  This isn't to say I am a believer in the scent attracting fish (with the exception of catfish), but it was interesting.  (We all do know he who controls the trolling motor does have a slight advantage

[pjmcla]

Would it surprise you if most fish scientists that study bass say bass can smell better than most dogs?  I know that Bream ( bass first cousins ) are scent influenced.  My brother and I used "The Scientific Method" to refine a "winter bream pattern" very seriously for five winters ( 1983 - 1987 ); and our testing seemed to be very conclusive that "certain smells" made a significant postive difference.  These scientisits say amino acids and, secondly, phermones are key.

[superharmonix]

That doesn't surprise me.  I think as fishermen, at least smart ones, we've all learned not to rely too much on only one train of thought(minus that good ole confidence factor of course).  I can definitely see where the smell factor could be more of a factor than I have personally given credit to.  I would love to take a few seasons and really test it around here. 
I did read an article recently on scents helping in the "hang on" factor..interesting indeed.   I think learning the science behind these fish is one of the most fascinating aspects of not only fishing, but makings baits.

[kipbass]

I went to ask.com com and "Q'ed" if bass can smell and taste. A link lead me to some university web site, sorry I can't remember which. Indeed bass can smell and taste. They have almost as many taste buds as we do. Nothing better than early mornin' fishin' drinkin a cup of coffee with an ol' fin friend, but he's getting his coffee off the end of my rod! LOL 

[susquehannasean]

Some days it makes a big difference, on several trips this year there were two or three in the boat and one person always had some scent on their lure.  Some days it outproduced and some days it didn't matter.  On the days the smell was the ticket the other guys began to use it and would go fish for fish with the other guys.  We were all using the same lures so that did not play into the factoring.  I'm fine with people not using scents or believing in them because on certain days I will have the advantage and when you are guiding with less expierienced fisherman every one counts.

[reddawn]

In inshore saltwater, scent is critical. Most times I am sight fishing redfish( mighty fine olfactory senses!) and can't move the bait much without spooking them. I have seen some monsters pick up the scent and tail right on a motionless bait! Snook are the same, they love to sneak up to a bait after a couple of twitches, daring the bait to move again. Without the stank, I have zero confidence. Having said that, as crazy as this sounds, my favorite is crawfish.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

I'm not sure if scents make a difference...my limited experience hasn't given me anything, either way.  I DO have some oil that I add to a mix, whenever I think I should.  I use VooDoo brand Cold-Pressed Menhaden Oil.  It's cheap.  It's real.  It mixes into plastic very nicely.  I've taken a soft plastic that had the Oil in it, and set it on a piece of paper.  When I pick it up You can see where that bait laid...it leaves a slight spot of oil on the paper.

I'm not sure if the oil can/will make any difference in influencing a fish to open it's mouth, but I'll be "researching" it for awhile, and will be sure to post any findings, here.  One thing the Menhaden Oil DOES do, is soften the plastic.  I use CCM Hard, and 1 TSP in 10-12 oz.s of plastic makes quite a difference in the stiffness of a bait.  I believe this will be most of my "softener" 'til I find a reason to get actual softener...even then, it better be a good reason!

[t-billy]

 I don't know if it gets me more bites,but I definitely believe bass hang onto scented baits longer. I really like kick'n bass craw. It's very concentrated and stays on baits for a LONG time. It's also oil based so you can cook it into your plastic if you want.