Scent or no Scent?

[SusanJames]

Just curious what you guys think about the use of scent? Specifically for spring browns and salmon. I've very unscientifically experiment by running the same baits on both sides of the boat...one side with scent, the other without. All other variables being as identical as possible. In my limited testing I haven't seen a difference with or without. Interested in your experience.

[HB2]

It sure does work on my plastic baits for panfish bass and pike 

 

I Also put it back itn my egg flies flyfishing the tribs 

 

I swear by it. Got my friends using it . It works 

Edited May 12 by HB2

[HB2]

And to answer your question, I've tried a few kinds on my trolling lures with no noticable difference .

And I don't understand why . 

 

[marinecrafts]

I have caught walleye in very murky water on scented lures while the other lures without scent did not produce.  I am sold.

[Legacy]

On 5/11/2026 at 2:13 PM, SusanJames said:

Just curious what you guys think about the use of scent? Specifically for spring browns and salmon. I've very unscientifically experiment by running the same baits on both sides of the boat...one side with scent, the other without. All other variables being as identical as possible. In my limited testing I haven't seen a difference with or without. Interested in your experience.

 

So I like to add scent to new lures or or ones that are out of the tackle box for the first time this year. Pretty simple Procure fish oil spray such as herring or bloody tuna. 

 

https://www.fishusa.com/Pro-Cure-Water-Soluble-Fish-Oil/?sku=216796

[fisherdude]

I like pro-cure sents right down the big procure pirate decal on the stern of my boat I put procure on every spoon I put out when I started  on Lake Ontario I use smelly jelly garlic that seem to work pretty good too. 

[Lunderdog]

Saw no difference on lake O with or without while trolling. Big difference on the Hudson for stripers.... Guess it depends on a lot of variables.

[ifishy]

Non porous things like spoons scent washes off very fast porous things like soft plastic hold much better there are other important factors, current, water clarity, speed, species,scent has its place but spoons and hard baits any scent is washed off very quickly and likely not worth significant effort

[fisherdude]

15 hours ago, ifishy said:

Non porous things like spoons scent washes off very fast porous things like soft plastic hold much better there are other important factors, current, water clarity, speed, species,scent has its place but spoons and hard baits any scent is washed off very quickly and likely not worth significant effort

Pro curs makes a paste that dosen't wash off while trolling.  It will take the plating off or tarnish the plating if stored with it left on. I have read articles how  charter caps and mates would wash their spoons in Joy dish soap lemon scent to hide the human scent and also wash their lures at the end of the day i guess  if he had to take a deuce at the boat ramp it'll help wash his hands when a poke through happens 😂 ..

Edited May 16 by fisherdude
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[ifishy]

I've seen video where spoons dipped in the bilge still took fish joy dish soap also has scent that should repel just as much as human scent.    All that said I also believe in a hot box I keep a small box for what's working and I believe lures in that box become more attractive and I have to believe scent is a part of that but lure action I think is the biggest key and repeating that action via down speed.  I will say I never dismiss the wisdom of experience that we get on this site over the years I have changed some of my opinions and methods from what I read here

[Finnagain]

Iv’e used altas mikes alewife , herring with good success. Last 2 seasons I used the water based procure in alewife that Rob suggested,after catching fish this especially this year mag spoons were buried in the salmon and often left blood on spoon so i rinse spoon and spritz once with scent and put back out . I did find you need to wash and dry spoons after using atlas mikes or it goes rancid in tackle box due to oil content I guess but I find scent certainly does not hurt we caught kings to 18 derby week out front of Wilson .Just my honest opinion.