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Scent question (w/soft plastics)

5K views 19 replies 18 participants last post by  c. j. stone 
#1 ·
Does anyone here who uses artificial 'scents' just add the scent directly to the bag with the soft plastics? I hear of people doing this but I worry about it ruining the plastics.

What about Elaztech plastics?
 
#2 ·
I use the BPS 8up spray on regular plastics and haven't had any issues (zoom, and others). Some of the BPS plastics already come with a light coating of the stuff anyway. So for some I'll shoot a pump or two into the bag and seal it up. Usually I'll hit my finger tips with just a hint of the stuff to take away any human scent before I start handling any lures before fishing. Never sprayed it directly into any Elaztech bags so not sure how it will react.

Elaztech plastics are funky. I've never had the issue, but if you mix Elaztech plastics with other non Elaztech plastics, it eats them up. I've had some Z-Man and Strike Kings that use Elaztech sitting separately in their own boxes for well over a year and they are fine. If in doubt, keep them in the bags they came in.
 
#4 ·
Down at Dale Hollow last winter my buddy had me use this float-n-fly stick scent stuff that smells like garlic on our bucktails. We caught fish and he swore by it.

Generally I just use the cheap pump stuff you can get at Meijer or Wal-Mart for $5 (shad scent) and have never had any issues with it ruining anything other than the time a bottle opened up in my tackle bag. That was a total loss. Not sure if it actually does much. Although one time I wasn't getting any action so I lubed er' up and caught a 26" Flat Head catfish on a swimbait never cast.

I do like the idea of using it before handling and rigging plastics though. I could see that.
 
#5 ·
I use garlic markers for scent. I find that sometimes taking a white soft plastic fluke-style bait, for instance, and putting a chartreuse tail on it with a garlic marker works when straight white won't. It also allows me to not only add scent but to modify bait color slightly. I usually find that if fish are short-striking, it's a problem with color, so changing the color a bit can help. That's my extent of scent use, though. I'm not sure how much good it does, as others have said, but I think if it gives you more confidence, that's half the battle.
 
#9 ·
I always use some mega strike this time of year. I agree that bass are more sight feeders but this time of year I've experimented and I believe they hang on to scented baits much longer than non-scented. Never had a problem with that and any of the soft plastics I use.
 
#11 ·
When I use scent its just garlic oil. I put it on a dry lure right before putting it in the water. Garlic oil wont wash off easy and a little bit goes a long way. The scent is not necessary but it gives the fish a strong trail to follow and it does seem to make them hold on a bit longer.... I cant prove it , but I started trying it as a skeptic and it did at times seem to make a difference.
 
#16 ·
I put scent in a sandwich ziplock baggie and add any generic unscented plastics. Before I put the plastics in, I push the plastic lure "into" a stiff wire brush to get the "steel bristles" to "penetrate" the bait, which adds tiny holes to absorb the scent! Otherwise, they are "washed off" after a couple casts!
Use a cheap(clean) brush or residue from a "used" brush will discolor the lure!
 
#17 ·
On days when I'm getting a lot of follows and few strikes, I will add a spray of scent.

My theory is that a fish following a plug/plastic is seeking a scent.

I could be all wet, but that is my feeling on scent. I will also spray some on my hands after being exposed to gasoline, sun screen, etc.. Can't hurt!
 
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