Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Hi all,

What's the popular opinion on scent for swimbaits? Thanks...

Once you start using scent, you'll never stop. Is it because it works so good or because we're afraid it works so good? I'm not sure......I have caught fish on swimbaits both ways but have had a slow day turn into a good day after applying scent. Was it the scent or coincidence? Only the fish know....

James

I've always wondered about the "scent memory" of bass- if a fish was caught on a bait with a particular scent, will it hesitate or cause a neative reaction the next time it encounters the same smell? Vaughn

Vaughn wrote:Hi all,

What's the popular opinion on scent for swimbaits? Thanks...

My opinion is it surely can't hurt if the bait smells like something a bass would consider actual food.

i just hate getting all the smelly Jelly all over my carpets.

I think that scent is better then no scent. It gives you a feeling that maybe the fish will hold on longer cause of taste, or smell.

I use scent to add some lubrication so the hook slides in there all nice

BTW- Bub Tosh was at the ISE last night giving a Swimbait demonstration at the live tank- incredible! Great pointers and info. If you go be sure to catch his show.

Vaughn wrote:BTW- Bub Tosh was at the ISE last night giving a Swimbait demonstration at the live tank- incredible! Great pointers and info. If you go be sure to catch his show.

One of his swimbait talks is also available on Western Bass TV. Just watched it this week.

Maybe bass west will have an article about that in a couple issues......

I was watching a episode of Bill Dance the other day (On one of his private lakes that only he fishes) and he made the comment that a bass's sence of smell is 1000 times stronger than that of a dog. I have no idea how accurate that statement is but I found it interesting.

I think most guys(myself included) use scents as a lube more then the actual smell or taist. Its not that important on hardbaits but its a must on soft baits. You get a much better hook up ratio and because the baits are slippery they slide in a fishes mouth instead of tearing when you set the hook. You could use plain vaseline if you prefer no smell.

lubrication,drawing fish in,masking human odor it's a cheap price to pay for piece of mind.

main thing I'm worried about is using the same scent as everyone else that's sore lip'n the same fish I'm goin' after. I swear I've seen a few big girls roll their eyes at me at the boat. It doesn't seem like it would be a bad thing to change up the aroma comin' from the kitchen every now and then.

I use smelly jelly boys... Garlic or crawdad scent.

I have done well with and without. I can't tell you if they wanted it more with sent when I was already doing fine without. Sometimes when it's with it sould be without. On the other hand when fishing without they may want it with .
So again, With or without? keep in mind that without you leave more un fish like sents or orders then with. But if you hit fish without anyway then why use with? I guess when it comes to with or without you should let the fish tell you. If it makes you feel better with then go with or you may feel left without.

What?



Don.