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| For the first time ever.... I got skunked on my annual 4-day trip to LOTW. After last year's experience with over a dozen 50 inch class fish following and nipping without much committment... my boat partner and I developed an experiment to improve our results for this year. Unfortunately, I was the control of the experiment.
The experiment consisted of marinading reef hawgs in fish scent prior and during use. My partner ONLY used a 6 and 8 inch Reef Hawg that was completely saturated with the smelliest fish scent ever concocted. I got to fish with whatever lures I desired... including UNSCENTED Reef Hawgs. He boated 46, 43, and 42 inchers.... and I boated nothing but pike.
Now, others in camp caught fish without scent.... and I had a few opportunities that went bad.... so was this just coincidence or is there something legit with the scent connection? What do YOU think?
jlong |
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| Jlong:
So what's the marinade? I'm willing to give anything a try.
Thanks,
Bill |
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| With my extensive experience (NOT), i dont think there is a connection. Just bad luck on your part. Muskies are sight feeders. But then again, who the hell am i?! Like you said, you had your shots. [;)] It would be interesting if this experiment was extended for a longer period and with a greater sample though. |
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| I can see it now. Jlongs musky marinate.[:)] |
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| I'd be a fool to give away the secret formula to Piggy's Potion (Piggy is the nick name of my buddy who developed the stuff) but I can say that we spontaneously added Sprite to the recipe when fishing got slow. The added fizz seemed to charge things up a bit (well, not really).
I'm from the school of thought that muskies are more sight feeders and instictive strikers.... however last year's experience with so many "nippers" got us thinking there were certain times that the fish were relying on "other" senses such as taste and smell before they would commit to an offering. I know it sounds crazy... but lets see how well you keep your sanity having so many close encounters with MONSTER sized fish that just won't eat. I can say, the 46 incher my buddy got totally INHALED the bait down to her gullet. Quite an operation to ensure a good release.
The question I have is this, Did she EAT the bait rather than just strike at it because it smelled so yummy? Not sure, but it makes for great conversation....
jlong |
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Jason,
Regarding the "nippers" don't you hate when that happens. I have experienced this on one particular clear lake in Canada where you would have 40-50 follows a day. Our circumstance was all the followers, although we did have some "nippers". We have tried Berkly Power Tails to add sent but that doesn't help. Why do they "nip"? I think by nature muskies are curious. That's one reason we get all the follows. I think muskies"nip" for a couple reason; they are scenting prey, they are moving the intruder out of their area, dare I say they are playing. Is it posssible that fish play or do things to amuse themselves? This could be a good topic. What do you think?
Tim |
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| I wish I knew why those fish nip at the bait too. Our theory was that they were trying to smell or taste the bait to determine if it was "the real thing" so to speak. I discussed this with DougJ last winter (prompted the article that is in this months issue of Esox Angler) and he feels they are territorial and actually trying to intimidate the intruder (lure) so it leaves the area.
It is amazing that a fish can follow a lure 10 times around the boat (got it on video) and then on a pitch back cast with the same bait the fish decides to eat it (more cool video of that too). If they are just playing, intimidating, or whatever... then why did it take two guys with long hook outs and bolt cutters to extract the 6" Reef Hawg from her gullet? She came back to eat the second time....
Wish we could make them all eat....
jlong |
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| The nipping could be a “test” bite to see if the fish/bait is desirable. I remember hearing this about sharks on “shark week” awhile back. I understand this frustration as well. I generally prefer bucktails due to the theory they have a higher “hook up” percentage, but I just don’t understand how they can hit and spit a bucktail so fast unless that was their original intention. |
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| jlong,sounds like you need Sparkles[:p],I like using scents myself,CUM AND RUB is our brand.Does is realy affect the fish in bitting.My feeling is,it cant't hurt.
Better than smelling what may be on my hands [:bigsmile:]
take care
marc |
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| Regarding nipping the bait.... I recall hearing somewhere that muskies may first strike something to stun it, then go back for the kill/inhale.... I've had fish hit a jerkbait from the side, without trying to inhale it... Have others had a similar experience?
(Wonder if that's why bucktails are such a high percentage hooking lure-- not much there but hooks, if she decides to hit'n'stun it....)
[:)] |
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| Spit some Copenhagen on your baits, makes the following muskies put your bait between there check and gums. But dont over do it, it may give the muskies cancer.
Great story jlong, I know its tough to take a trip to Canada without a muskie on your line. Last year my fishing partner caught a 48.5" and a 43", while I caught zip on LOTW. I guess fishing second water was the best thing to do that week I was there. |
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| My take on the whole scent(stink)thing is I think it can make a difference in cold water situations(below 45deg.)with a very slow in there face presentation.I feel that is one of the main reasons that early spring walleye fishing lands so many fish.Scented grubs,Dr.Juice,etc.,but that seems to only play out in cold water and slowwwwwww baits!Thats how I see it,could be wrong! Jeff |
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Marinade your Reef Hawgs!!!