I recently tried soaking some of my plastics in some wet cat food for a few days. Maybe I just had a good day or maybe it was the scent, but it seemed to work really well. Does anyone else do this or anything similar? If so what are you soaking them in? 

Nope not for me. I’ve never really seen any better results using scents. Others have though, so maybe you’re onto something!!  Keep good records over a period of time and share with us. Good luck. 

 

When bass grow barbels, that's when I'll start using scent.  

 

Roger

I've tried a couple of scent products over the years. At times, I felt it helped, other times not at all. I still occasionally use some Baitmate scent. Lots of guys like Megastrike, and think it makes a difference for them.

Yes it makes a big difference during a tough bite, cold fronts etc, but some people don't believe. Which for me is fine because it leaves the fish there for me:)

 

My worn out story is first hour of vaca fishing I landed 5 nice bass and father in law had zero hits. Got him to try scent on the same bait he had tied on and he had a hit in 5 casts, and landed his first fish shortly after that.

 

If you try it on an active bite, it likely won't make a difference because the bass will hit the kitchen sink. If they have lockjaw I have found and seen it make a difference. I only use gel scents like liquid mayhem or atlas mike's before that.

28 minutes ago, newriverfisherman1953 said:

Nope not for me. I’ve never really seen any better results using scents. Others have though, so maybe you’re onto something!!  Keep good records over a period of time and share with us. Good luck. 

 

yeah i forgot to mention, i have tried a couple different store bought scents/attractants that you can spray into your bag of plastics. I didnt notice a difference with those at all. But with the plastics soaked in wet cat food, i noticed a difference for sure. My last trip out, the only fish that I caught, were on my soaked plastics.

Just now, cgolf said:

Yes it makes a big difference during a tough bite, cold fronts etc, but some people don't believe. 

 

My worn out story is first hour of vaca fishing I landed 5 nice bass and father in law had zero hits. Got him to try scent on the same bait he had tied on and he had a hit in 5 casts, and landed his first fish shortly after that.

 

If you try it on an active bite, it likely won't make a difference because the bass will hit the kitchen sink. If they have lockjaw I have found and seen it make a difference. I only use gel scents like liquid mayhem or atlas mike's before that.

 

yeah i mean i figure, if bass smell baits, why not soak your plastics in a bag of shad or what not. I havent had much luck with the store bought scents. Last trip out I did better than any of the other fishermen I chatted with...with my soaked plastics. I think I will continue experimenting with different stuff to soak them in, gonna give chicken liver a go. 

One thing that lots of folks do is add a few drops of pure Anise oil to bags of worms and plastics. I like the way it makes the baits really slick and shiny. If scents work for sure or not, it's hard to tell. But, if it gives you confidence, and causes a fish to hold on to your plastic baits a little longer, then it's working for you, and thats what matters.

53 minutes ago, Jonas Staggs said:

I recently tried soaking some of my plastics in some wet cat food for a few days. Maybe I just had a good day or maybe it was the scent, but it seemed to work really well. Does anyone else do this or anything similar? If so what are you soaking them in? 

Purina or 9-Lives ?

I think I may try adding a little cat nip to my Megastrike next trip

A-Jay 

4 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

One thing that lots of folks do is add a few drops of pure Anise oil to bags of worms and plastics. I like the way it makes the baits really slick and shiny. If scents work for sure or not, it's hard to tell. But, if it gives you confidence, and causes a fish to hold on to your plastic baits a little longer, then it's working for you, and thats what matters.

 

true that. I mean if we sit back and look, how many companies are marketing their plastics with different types of scents, anise, coffee, garlic, so on and so forth. What really got me thinking about it was how good the berkley gulp has been for me, I dont think their plastics are any better than other similar shaped ones. I think its their scent.

8 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Purina or 9-Lives ?

I think I may try adding a little cat nip to my Megastrike next trip

A-Jay 

hahah the bass are gonna want your bait like a tweeker needs their fix.

I've been out fished by my fishing partner too many times while fishing plastics. I've since picked up my own bottle. 

I've tried several different scents over the years with mixed results..nothing definitive. One I think helps is jjs magic...but it may be the color as much as the scent.

One thing to with the gel scents like liquid mayhem, atlas mikes, and megastrike is that they stay on longer and unlike liquids or sprays only make a mess if you lay the bait on the boat deck. The liquid stuff sprays all over when you cast and apply it.  
 

My first scent product was probably berkley crappie nibbles a good 20 years ago. 

21 hours ago, GreenPig said:

I've been out fished by my fishing partner too many times while fishing plastics. I've since picked up my own bottle. 

Did it help?

 

Edit: Oh you just bought it so probably haven't used it. Let us know

 

 

While I am a believer in scent use (bio edge for me) uhh.. cat food no thanks. The stench of that stuff is not something I'd want in the boat with me.

22 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Purina or 9-Lives ?

I think I may try adding a little cat nip to my Megastrike next trip

A-Jay 

Those are for catfish.

friskies for bass, Everybody knows this!

3 hours ago, schplurg said:

Did it help?

 

Edit: Oh you just bought it so probably haven't used it. Let us know

 

 

I do catch more fish when I remember to use it. I don't think it increases the # of hits by attracting fish. I do think they hold on to it longer giving me more time to sense them and set the hook.

15 hours ago, keagbassr said:

While I am a believer in scent use (bio edge for me) uhh.. cat food no thanks. The stench of that stuff is not something I'd want in the boat with me.

It's not that bad if you just put a handful of plastics into a zip lock. I don't let it sit and rot either as that would be nasty for sure. Just toss it in freezer until your next trip out, or keep in the fridge for a few days before going