The Fishing Scent Debate: Do They Really Work?

Scent is one of the most polarizing topics among anglers. Ask some about fishing scent and you’ll get nothing but a shrug and something along the lines of, “I’ve never noticed a difference.” Believers though will tell you that they can’t even get a bite unless they dip the tail of their bug three times in a precise blend of 21 secret herbs and spices…So what gives? Does fishing scent matter or not?Let’s start out with two things we know to be facts:

1. Anglers catch bass nationwide, all year long, with or without fishing scent

What this means is scent cannot be a primary drivers of bassing success, but rather a secondary factor behind location, structure, cover, and presentation. Dragging a scented plastic on the bottom won’t do anything for you if they’re chasing shad up on the surface.

2. Bass have the ability to “smell” or detect fishing scent in the water column

This has been proven in both lab settings and by anglers on the water. There have been detailed studies showing that how bass approach, inhale, and hold onto baits changes based upon different formulations of chemicals. They don’t detect them the same way we do, but they can definitely tell the difference. So, now that we’ve established those facts – what do they mean to the fishing scent debate?The reality is that most of the time scents certainly don’t hurt, and there are very likely times they help, although how much is a relative term. Using a special fishing scent is seldom going to be the difference between blanking and slapping a 20 pound bag on the scales, but it may be the difference between 10 bites and 12 over the course of the day.Scents can also make an impact in how long a fish holds your bait, or how aggressively they strike - both factors that affect landing percentage. So, adding a scent may be a good idea if you’re getting short strikes or losing fish frequently.Lastly, confidence is a huge component to fishing success – if you believe in a fishing scent like Lip Ripperz Love Sauce; you’re going to fish more confidently, which will undoubtedly increase your chances while on the water.