5 replies to this topic

[blazt*]

You see a lot of talk on forums and articles in bass rags about scents, and it usually terminates something like "bass can't smell oil in water, because oil is not water soluble" or "those droplets aren't small enough for bass to detect".
Most admit that, with a good scent, bass will hold on longer.
But isn't it possible bass and other gamefish can taste the trail of oil in the water as they take water into their mouths and it passes out the gill? I've notice bass tend to start doing this as they approach a lure (that hasn't been hit with scent), sometimes even snapping the jaws a bit.
I have NEVER heard or read anything about this line of thinking...how bass might taste the attractant from a few feet away.
Could this induce a strike? Because what really matters is results on the water: whether a good scent will put more bass in the boat. Not whether remaining in the "theory A" box would logically seem to lead to the probably of more bites.
I've been thinking about maybe getting a bottle of Kick 'n Bass, or maybe some Bang or megastrike.
Been having a hard time deciding because a lot of the talk on forums sounds like a paid endorsement for brand x, and I'm not sure how low brand x would stoop to boost their product. A lot of it just seems a bit suspicious, like they are actually trying to sell it for somebody!

[BobP]

Blazt, I've used Kickn' Bass for years and like it. As well as masking human odors and PROBABLY enhancing the attraction of the bait, it lubricates plastic baits so the hookset is easier and the bait is much less likely to get torn up while playing the fish. A Senko slathered in KNB will normally end up on the line above the hook, with no tears in it. That's a 60 cent saving for every bait not torn up. KNB is based on pure fish oil. How anyone is going to prove scientifically whether it or any other attractant attracts more bites is beyond me, but I feel KNB does work. I started out using KNB garlic. Strong stuff! But I've had just as good results with the KNB anise shad, which has a milder, more pleasant aroma. My thinking is that maybe the popularity of garlic flavored attractants has worked its way into the olfactory memories of the bass population.

I've also used Megastrike, which comes as a paste you squeeze out of a plastic tube. Personally, I did not notice any increase in catch rates with that one. I haven't tried Bang or other attractants. Considering the lightening speed with which a bass can suck in and then expell a plastic bait, I think anything that will keep your bait in their mouth is a plus.

Edited by BobP, 08 February 2012 - 04:22 PM.

[blazt*]

BobP, on 08 February 2012 - 04:20 PM, said:

Blazt, I've used Kickn' Bass for years and like it. As well as masking human odors and PROBABLY enhancing the attraction of the bait, it lubricates plastic baits so the hookset is easier and the bait is much less likely to get torn up while playing the fish. A Senko slathered in KNB will normally end up on the line above the hook, with no tears in it. That's a 60 cent saving for every bait not torn up.

You just sold me. I'm going to try it on your recommendation. If you say you believe in it then I guess I believe in it, at least for now.
I usually fish Shad Assassins (rather than Senkos) and struggle to get more than 2 fish out of a bait. Maybe this'll help out with durability. The spare change saved is something...but the time I spend rigging these just right so they'll catch fish is something else!

BobP, on 08 February 2012 - 04:20 PM, said:

But I've had just as good results with the KNB anise shad, which has a milder, more pleasant aroma. My thinking is that maybe the popularity of garlic flavored attractants has worked its way into the olfactory memories of the bass population.

My garlic tolerance is low. My SK 3x lizards are bad enough. Might have to check out that shad/ anise flavor. Have you tried crawfish? If you have, does it stink?

BobP, on 08 February 2012 - 04:20 PM, said:

Considering the lightening speed with which a bass can suck in and then expell a plastic bait, I think anything that will keep your bait in their mouth is a plus.

I always tell people you can't outrun a bass with your lure. One day, standing on the bank, I saw a small bass dart about 15 feet from a dead standstill, crush a minnow, turn on a dime, dart back 15 ft to his resting spot precisely, and come to a dead stop. All within the span of a fraction of a second - maybe 1/25 or so if I was forced at gunpoint to guess.

Edited by blazt*, 09 February 2012 - 01:48 PM.

[blazt*]

Side note: anybody notice how nobody puts out a bluegill scent?
Now that I think about it, it's probably because you aren't allowed to throw bluegill into your big industrial fish blender thing because they're gamefish.

Edited by blazt*, 09 February 2012 - 04:19 PM.

[BobP]

KNB uses pure fish oil base for all their scents. The guy who started the company worked for years in the perfume industry. The garlic will shock your sinuses and stay on your hands for hours. It's actually stronger than real garlic. The anise shad and crawfish are mild scents and are rather pleasant. I've tried them all and the anise shad works best for me, even when used on jigs that are crawfish imitators. BTW, the fish oil will destroy rubber skirts but it's fine on silicone skirts.

Fish oil is rendered from saltwater species. I'm sure there are chemical differences from bluegills, but I don't think you're gonna find bluegill scent anywhere. They don't school in large enough groups to make netting them economically feasible for oil extraction.

I can't dope out whether there's a case to be made for water soluable scents versus oil based scents and I don't think it matters that much in bass fishing since bass are primarily sight feeders. The only observation I have is that Gulp is water based and does attract fish from a distance. Let a Gulp bait on a C-rig sit still too long and suddenly, you're catfishing! Personally, I'd rather avoid that.

[crankpaint]

I've used scents for over 20 years and beleive in them 110% from fishing with them and having others fish the same lure
without them, i've seen just how well it will put fish on a hook. as for oil vs water i like the oil becouse it stays on the the lure
better is all.