04_2025_REELLIFE_digital - Flipbook - Page 8
gear
Title - Something Smells Funny, Making Sense of
Scents (kokanee, salmon, trout)
randy castello
Where superstitions rule
on my boat, making
sense of scents is a bit of
a challenge. What scent,
how often to apply it, and
washing things down at
the end of the day are all
done with a nod toward
my personal superstitions.
Get it wrong, and I’m facing
seven years of bad luck!
Whether or not you’re
superstitious, here are a few
smelly tips to help ensure
luck is on your side.
The application of scents
to your lures and bait can
act as an attractant or bite
stimulant. It can also mask
odors that repel fish. You
can help reduce offensive
orders by keeping your
hands clean and free of
sunscreen, bug repellent,
petroleum products
jellyfish goo, and tobacco
products residue. On the
day of your fishing trip, try
to use unscented soaps or
a light vinegar solution to
wash your hands.
The use of scents should
complement your game
plan. They should work
together with your
presentation, location, and
gear set-up.
There are numerous scent
formulations out there:
gels, liquid, sticky liquid,
wax, oils, and water-soluble.
Most scents are available in
different “flavors".
Frequently scent oils are
used to infuse other bait to
create a hybrid cocktail that
your target species will find
irresistible.
With most sticky liquids,
gels, paste and waxes
you simply apply a small
amount to your lures and
let it work its smelly magic.
Apply a thin even layer to
the underside of spoons,
spinner blades and plugs.
Assure that the application
doesn’t hinder the lure
action. Scents can be very
effective when applied
to your dodgers or even
downrigger balls.
Water temperature is your
driver for how frequently
to refresh your scent. With
warmer water, you should
pull your gear and refresh
the scent more frequently.
For most fisheries, I check
the gear every 20 minutes
or so and reapply the scent
at that point.
When using some of the
paste type of scents it is
a good idea to wipe your
lures down between each
application. Otherwise,
you may experience waxy
buildup which could affect
the lure’s action or even
your hearing. What was
that, did I just hear a groan?
If using a scent cocktail that
includes dyes, it is a good
idea to wear nitrile gloves
and work over a towel or a
work surface separate from
your boat. Bait dyes are
potent and will stain both
your boat and skin. There
were many times during
my suit and tie days when
I was giving a presentation
with orange, pink, or blue
fingers
