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Posts: 74
Location: Ixonia, WI | So I was pondering back to one of my old Musky Hunter magazines (June/July 2004) and came across an article titled “Scent Secrets” written by Rick Riley. He describes how he uses foam earplugs as scent pads. He cuts off a small piece, smashes them down to compress the size, and then places them into a jar of scent. As they expand, they absorb the scent as it lasts for quite some time. He then pierces the earplug to one of the hooks.
Last fall, I periodically played around with using some scent pods on jigs and plastic pull baits. The scent pods that I experimented with were scent wicks that bow hunter’s use to lure in bucks with scent. I would cut them down to size, punch a whole into the center, slip the shank of the hook through center of the wick, and finally snap the hook back to the lure. I was using some Pike/Musky scent that I had picked up from Cabalas. I caught one musky during the short experimental period.
I was curious to here if any of you have experimented with the use of scents. If so, have you noticed more than usual strikes occurring? What kinds of baits have you found them to be the most effective on? Have you ever played around with making homemade scents? What brands of scents have you had success with? Do you think it could give you an upper edge when the water clarity is extremely poor? Could it be the key to triggering deep neutral fish?
I’m looking forward to experimenting again this season. The thrill of trying something new is always exciting to me, especially if it turns out to be a success! Your responses and offering of information to this post is greatly appreciated. Good luck to all and stay safe on the water.
Edited by Justin Blanchar 10/6/2011 2:37 PM
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Posts: 260
Location: Lockport, IL | There are some old threads on this if you use the search. It seems most believe that the scent doesn't make much difference, if any. Muskies have a poor sense of smell. Worrall said on one of the old threads he used to soak a yellow nylon rope in gas and attach it to a jig and catch pike and an occasional muskie. |
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| Rainman JD - 10/6/2011 3:26 PM
Worrall said on one of the old threads he used to soak a yellow nylon rope in gas and attach it to a jig and catch pike and an occasional muskie.
Maybe scents work, and people are just using the wrong ones. Should try soaking your lures in gas. |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | guest - 10/6/2011 3:54 PM
Rainman JD - 10/6/2011 3:26 PM
Worrall said on one of the old threads he used to soak a yellow nylon rope in gas and attach it to a jig and catch pike and an occasional muskie.
Maybe scents work, and people are just using the wrong ones. Should try soaking your lures in gas.
I know i read somewhere back in the 90's some guy did just that. |
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| Hmmmm....that should be good for the lake too... |
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| I know WD40 works on walleyes----jig and minnow combos---they smack 'em!---Jobu |
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Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | Right stuff on the right bait definitely helps. Makes followers into biters. That said, sorry can't share the secret info! |
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Posts: 260
Location: Lockport, IL | guest - 10/6/2011 3:54 PM
Maybe scents work, and people are just using the wrong ones. Should try soaking your lures in gas.
LOL! Maybe I should. I have been getting plenty of lookers lately, but I am having trouble getting them to commit. |
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Posts: 132
Location: Missouri | guest - 10/6/2011 3:54 PM
Rainman JD - 10/6/2011 3:26 PM
Worrall said on one of the old threads he used to soak a yellow nylon rope in gas and attach it to a jig and catch pike and an occasional muskie.
Maybe scents work, and people are just using the wrong ones. Should try soaking your lures in gas.
Lures cost enough without soaking them in gas.  |
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Posts: 14
| riverrat09...that's hilarious...where does it stop...all the money we spend on musky fishing and now we start dipping our baits in gas at $3.50 a gallon every 10 casts...and then the DNR fines...
A while back (almost 10 years ago) a buddy of mine and I were using Chompers spray for the first time for musky fishing. I had heard it has been very successful with bass fishing and had some luck with it bass fishing. We had one of our best days of musky fishing, but it seems more likely it was really more related to the weather system we were fishing in...
I have used Chompers on and off since then, along with other scents, along with soaking baits like Reef Hawgs in Sucker water overnight...I have not seen any noticeable increase in action or conversions on Figure 8's. It's far from a controlled scientific experiment, just my observations from limited experimentation.
I wouldn't say I have given up on scent, but I've definitely not seen a significant difference so far... |
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Posts: 74
Location: Ixonia, WI | Thanks for the responses guys. It's all appreciated. Fished Lake Pewaukee today with all intentions of trying some vertical presentations next to my suckers with the use of scent. In search of bait fish as a staring point, I decided to troll. Within 20 mins, I had a nice fat 38 incher on the end of my line. Fish ate over deep water in the top most portion of the water column, so I maintained trolling trying to establish a pattern with no success. No scent experimenting today! Thanks again guys. |
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