Scent Question

[fishinwrench]

I was big into tourney fishing when every bass boat you got close to reeked of garlic, and I had a theory that strong easily distinguishable scents like garlic and anise could cause fish to shut down.

Kinda like when your sitting in your house and suddenly get a faint whiff of smoke..... immediately you are up investigating and nervous because maybe the last tine you smelled THAT in your home you had a really bad day.

Obviously if your fishing a private pond that doesn't get much fishing pressure the fish could be turned-on or curious about it. But when they've smelled it before and then been stuck in the face and thrown in a box for several hours, they might possibly retain the sense to avoid that smell in the future.

Catching fish on artificials is about keeping a balance between creating positive triggers that matter, diminishing negative elements, and learning the difference between them.

Old time crappie fishermen used to bang on the side of the boat with a paddle when the fishing got slow and it actually excited the fish into biting again for awhile, but I don't think that old trick works anymore

[PHhunter]

I recommend spraying yourself with garlic spray before every outing. Keeps bass from winding you.

[Stoneroller]

wrench makes a good point. sometimes scent 'works' not because the scent attracts the fish but because it helps to negate, mask, or remove possible negative stimuli that the bass may sense.

[Jason Essary]

stoneroller, that was stated perfect. its a cover scent as much as an attractant.

[5bites]

I recommend spraying yourself with garlic spray before every outing. Keeps bass from winding you.

LOL!

I use bang in the aerosol can because it's convenient and not as messy.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I have read/heard/seen a tip of using garlic flavored Pam cooking spray or equivalent for spraying the scent on artificial baits. The idea is that it costs much less and produces the same results. Just passing it along.

I used to try BaitMate, but I never noticed any benefit. It leaked in my tacklebox, (my fault), and so then I just quit trying.

[Jack Jones]

Man, I used to try all of that when I was a teenager. Used to get this stuff that was anise scented. I never noticed a difference back then. However, I wasn't as serious about fishing as I am now. I suppose when I head out to Wally World to pick up some plastics this weekend, I'll check out what's there in the garlic scent. Depending how cheap I'm feeling, maybe I'll give it a try?

Or I could just dip them in my spaghetti sauce. That way they'll have the garlic and the red of the tomato might look like blood in the water too!!!!

[tmoney]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Very helpful

[tunchi]

I have read/heard/seen a tip of using garlic flavored Pam cooking spray or equivalent for spraying the scent on artificial baits. The idea is that it costs much less and produces the same results. Just passing it along.

I used to try BaitMate, but I never noticed any benefit. It leaked in my tacklebox, (my fault), and so then I just quit trying.

I was at a Kroger store several years ago ( don"t have one where I live). They had a Kroger brand garlic spray like Pam. It was less than $2 each so I grabbed all 5 they had on the shelf. It works just as good as the Bang stuff and much cheaper. I also like anise...another reason why I like Net Baits