Scents On Highly Pressured Lakes

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom Edwards on February 8, 2010 at 5:53pm

I haven't really used scent in many years. Back when I started using it, it seemed to help. I try it now and then every couple years. But I've been wondering if the scent goes bad after a bit, even the airesole stuff in a spray can. Maybe someone can tell me if it goes bad. I'm planning on getting some fresh stuff soon and trying it again. Almost used some today, might go fishing again tomorrow, but not sure.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on February 8, 2010 at 5:59pm

Thats a good question. Reminds me of late season duck hunting when every duck in the flyway has seen a 2 dozen mallard spread. At that point you need to change it up with either a huge spread, or just a couple decoys.

I'm not an expert, but one thing I wouldnt do is go without. Even if the fish get desensitized to a popular scent, you'd rather have that than the fish smelling Deet, or detergent, or human smell.

Maybe at that point it would be a good bet to use an Oil based "taste" instead of a water based "scent". That way you will cover the bad smells, while not exposing the bass to alot of scent they've grown accustomed to.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Jones on February 8, 2010 at 6:04pm

Thanks Jake, I always rub some scent on my hands to cover any odors.

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

Thats a good question. Reminds me of late season duck hunting when every duck in the flyway has seen a 2 dozen mallard spread. At that point you need to change it up with either a huge spread, or just a couple decoys.

I'm not an expert, but one thing I wouldnt do is go without. Even if the fish get desensitized to a popular scent, you'd rather have that than the fish smelling Deet, or detergent, or human smell.

Maybe at that point it would be a good bet to use an Oil based "taste" instead of a water based "scent". That way you will cover the bad smells, while not exposing the bass to alot of scent they've grown accustomed to.

Permalink Reply by cody hampton on February 8, 2010 at 7:01pm

ha ya it kinda sucks when after you get done doin a tournament and go to eat afterwards and you end up havin smelly jelly hamburger cause you forget to wash your hands hha

Craig Taylor said:

First I want to say I am religious when it comes to putting scents on my baits but I do half to bring up a couple years ago during a tournament I had "breakthrough" so to say when I was doing my regular routine and putting scents on my plastics but hadn't got a bite in the first 5 hours. I knew the lake I was on most all the tournament anglers during this event were using a particular sent (same one I tried first in the morning then went to my "go to" scents) so I just went with out scent the last few hours and then put three good fish in the boat and ended up doing well come end of the tournament by not using scent the next two days. I will admit this was not a game plan. I was really just trying to save the little bit of scent I had left haha. But I couldn't help but notice the difference not using sent at all made for me that tournament.

The topic Kevin brings up is a good one. I think bass can absolutely get accustom to a sent or probably even taste too on highly pressured water. The experience I am talking about was a rarity for me. If I try it out anymore, I make sure my hands are very clean and it works sometimes. I use so much Smelly Jelly and Pro Cure though and have a ton of confidence in those products so it doesn't happen too often going with out.

The rubbing your hands with the scent your using to cover odors is a good tip Kevin, I started doing that a while back too. I just try not to make it too much because I do like to eat on the boat and I don't like the taste as much as the bass.

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

Thats a good question. Reminds me of late season duck hunting when every duck in the flyway has seen a 2 dozen mallard spread. At that point you need to change it up with either a huge spread, or just a couple decoys.

I'm not an expert, but one thing I wouldnt do is go without. Even if the fish get desensitized to a popular scent, you'd rather have that than the fish smelling Deet, or detergent, or human smell.

Maybe at that point it would be a good bet to use an Oil based "taste" instead of a water based "scent". That way you will cover the bad smells, while not exposing the bass to alot of scent they've grown accustomed to.

Permalink Reply by Russ Baker on February 8, 2010 at 7:45pm

cody that is why I quit using scents, stuck to my hands and ate too much of it


cody hampton said:

ha ya it kinda sucks when after you get done doin a tournament and go to eat afterwards and you end up havin smelly jelly hamburger cause you forget to wash your hands hha

Craig Taylor said:

First I want to say I am religious when it comes to putting scents on my baits but I do half to bring up a couple years ago during a tournament I had "breakthrough" so to say when I was doing my regular routine and putting scents on my plastics but hadn't got a bite in the first 5 hours. I knew the lake I was on most all the tournament anglers during this event were using a particular sent (same one I tried first in the morning then went to my "go to" scents) so I just went with out scent the last few hours and then put three good fish in the boat and ended up doing well come end of the tournament by not using scent the next two days. I will admit this was not a game plan. I was really just trying to save the little bit of scent I had left haha. But I couldn't help but notice the difference not using sent at all made for me that tournament.

The topic Kevin brings up is a good one. I think bass can absolutely get accustom to a sent or probably even taste too on highly pressured water. The experience I am talking about was a rarity for me. If I try it out anymore, I make sure my hands are very clean and it works sometimes. I use so much Smelly Jelly and Pro Cure though and have a ton of confidence in those products so it doesn't happen too often going with out.

The rubbing your hands with the scent your using to cover odors is a good tip Kevin, I started doing that a while back too. I just try not to make it too much because I do like to eat on the boat and I don't like the taste as much as the bass.

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

Thats a good question. Reminds me of late season duck hunting when every duck in the flyway has seen a 2 dozen mallard spread. At that point you need to change it up with either a huge spread, or just a couple decoys.

I'm not an expert, but one thing I wouldnt do is go without. Even if the fish get desensitized to a popular scent, you'd rather have that than the fish smelling Deet, or detergent, or human smell.

Maybe at that point it would be a good bet to use an Oil based "taste" instead of a water based "scent". That way you will cover the bad smells, while not exposing the bass to alot of scent they've grown accustomed to.

Permalink Reply by Mark Byrne on February 8, 2010 at 8:16pm

Tom, I think scents do spoil, smelly jelly turns dark and smells a little different if there is any left by the end of summer. I start with a new jar every spring.
Mark

Permalink Reply by Tom Edwards on February 8, 2010 at 8:20pm

Thanks for the info Mark. I'll go ahead and throw it all away. Most of it is over 15 years old, boughten about '90-'94.

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on February 8, 2010 at 9:00pm

This is something I think is spot on! Taste is key and I have sight fished in very clear shallow water and seen how quick a fish will blow the bait out of his mouth if it isn't right. Especially like Ron says on the real light bite days that taste is a major factor.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

I don't ever use a scent or a taste unless it is built into the bait or if the fish are biting super soft or not holding onto my baits long enough to set the hook or just nipping on the tail. I truly believe in the taste factor when fish are spitting your baits before you get the hook into them or are biting soft and not getting it all in their mouth...just my 2 cents....also IMO taste is way more important than scent most days of the week.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Jones on February 9, 2010 at 7:36pm

All good stuff, thanks for the reply's.

Craig Taylor said:

Don't be sorry, I totally like your theory on taste and oil vs. H2O bassed products. I've always thought about it but just not too much till' you brought it up a couple days ago. Have you ever seen the old documentary "Bigmouth"? I saw it about 15 years ago at a CCBC meeting and even the narrator brings up the point of bass inhaling and exhaling baits so fast that most anglers would be very discouraged on how many times they actually do get bit. (today's hi-end rods, FC, and brade have changed that a bit though)

You are absolutely right about when they do this "something isn't quite right". In fact I just noticed the other with my Bass I have in a tank at home, that when I fed it a unhealthy looking worm, It would do the inhale and exhale thing. Sometimes 3-4 times. Your philosophy is defiantly in the right direction.


Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Craig sorry but my theory is that most people including I don't feel half the bite we are getting, especially when the bite is tough. I have seen many fish just barely pick up the last 1/4" of a bait and then spit it back out, and have also witnessed a fish suck in a bait and spit it just as fast (just like a quick inhale exhale) Obviously to these fish something was not quite right, and I think it was taste. I didn't have scent or as I like to call it taste on my baits. If the fish taste something good they are less likely to spit it out or if they nip the last 1/4" maybe they will taste something good and suck the rest of it in (I have seen this before as well). Just an opinion, I have read 3 different books with 3 different authors who go over tests and biology over scents and bass and taste and bass, these books have helped with my philosophy.

Craig Taylor said:

I gotta learn more about this taste aspect. Damnit Ron, I'v been working all day quit making me think haha!