Senkosam Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 After a season of ice fishing with juicy wax worms and artificials (homemade), I have to go with scent for the slow bite. I found this out by catching a few on worm/spoon or 1/64 oz jig and then dropping an unsalted drop of plastic with hair and #6 hook imbedded and tiny flashabou jigs. The worm more or less turned the bite completely on once one fish took the bait. After that, no scent was needed and the artificials got hit with gusto until the hole dried up. I compare it to plotting an aggression curve, starting at zero and going up from there once the first bite is triggered. Some holes produced with no live bait, most didn't, and the largest fish were caught on unscented artificials once other species started attacking. Ice fishing reminds me of a conveyor belt - turn it on and they come to you one at a time. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted March 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 I read alot about fishing tips and techniques...also watch too much TV about fishing..... The best quote I have ever heard bar none is "The fisherman catches the fish NOT the bait!!!!!" I can give you the numbers of the guys I fish with that repeatedly have the exact same bait (out of the package) on the end of their rod and I will catch fish and they can't buy a bite. (Most times they use to heavy of line and it takes the action away from the bait). This goes with many tournaments also. Everbody knows what bait to use...it ends up being the guy/gal that imparts the correct action to that bait that catches the fish. I'm sure if your hands are covered with gas before you put your bait on that would'nt be to good, but my point is...no amount of scent or salt or any "super" lure will MAKE the fish bite. The action the angler imparts makes or breaks your day!!! Or, it could be my good old Irish luck..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassassazzin Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 I wholeheartedly agree! The lure has to be presented properly. I do believe though that the scent gives you that extra second or two at times to increase hook-up percentages, before they spit it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james bradshaw Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 You are so right! Lure presentation is one of the most critical componants, but scent is an added effect on strike ratio. And also depends on the lure being used. With fast moving baits or top water lures, scent probably doesn't have as much of an effect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassassazzin Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 For instance, the 6# Largemouth I caught last Sept., I was using a Rapala DT-10 and when the fish hit, the lure was barely moving... ticking through the weeds. I know that fish could have, and would have spit the lure quickly, but the Getz'em scent bought me added time to set the hook. Again, just my opinion. What's the saying, get confidence in anything and it's going to help you catch fish. Confidence gives you that mental edge that is needed during difficult times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigZ Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 I used to think scent was a joke...until I started fishing a certain series of ponds. No Garlic=No bites! In stained water I think it also helps quite a bit. Fish can detect something like 1/3 ppm in the water using taste/smell (this is from a steelhead/salmon study we did in marine bio). I don't think scent hurts anything, and I agree with a few of you that it is a huge confidence thing. Kinda like me and rat-l-traps, I never go bass fishing without one...or a hundred of em. Confidence is a huge part of the game. Pro-Cure has been getting a lot of my money lately...LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleury9816 Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 I agree that scent IS important. While I dont nessessarily think that a scent is going to draw a bass from yards away from hitting a reaction lure per say. I do believe that the scent gives you the ability to get a better hook set. If I can do anything to let that fish hang on for a second or two more so I can get a better set, I don't see how that isn't useful. As stated by these anglers previously. If your scent gives you confidence on a certain water or area, or overall use it your advantage. Confidence is very important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overkill Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 I remember when Berkley power worms first came out. I bought some and went to one of my Grandparents farm ponds that I have literally fished hundreds of times. The bass were biting the worms and would not let go, some would even come back and get it if I took it away from them. They were tearing the tails off the baits and I was having a blast. I know scent IS important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted March 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Awesome discussion!!!! I was relaying what the "pros" told us at Bassmaster U about baits, scents and colors. Do I use scent??? YES!!! In my plastic and on my plastic but never on my hard baits...especially those $20.00 ones !!! They should catch fish anyway, anywhere, anyhow!!!! I used to get to go fishing at least 3 times a week and I can tell you that over the years, there are times I could throw just a hook out there and catch a fish and times when the bite was real tough. The presentation of the bait (ie..stop go, yo-yo, slow retrieve then jerk, etc.) would get me a bite when I finally figured it out. Most of the time you know what bait to throw, its just fine tuning the retrieve that ends up being the difference. How many times have you thrown a topwater or jerkbait with no hits and then cast out and got a backlash or a sandwich, only to have the fish hit after a long extended time of the bait being completely still. There have been times when I have had to literally count to 60 before moving a stick bait in the cold water or no bite. So many mentioned it, confidence is the key...if you think that scent or whatever gives you that edge, you will be more in tune with that bait and catch more fish!!! Plus, line has a lot to do with it...oh, yeah..that is a different thread!!! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Another thing is color. I think scent and color are the 2 most important confidence factors to the fisherman. Although I make a bunch of colors, I never use anything around here unless it has green, brown, or red in it.......preferably all 3. You ever get orders for just watermelon, pumpkin seed, white, etc? I get those a lot and I'm always thinking "Geez......you could get those ANYWHERE......why would you want to buy them from me??"....... I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted March 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Strangly....my "best" selling colors are plain old green pumpkin, black/red flake, black/blue flake etc. It is weird but hey...the customer is always right...right!!! A buddy of mine says my "crazy" colors are just a ploy to catch fisherman...not fish!!! Wait til I whoooooop his butt with some of those "blue olive" colored baits...It will cost him then !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
