Using Fish Scents in Freshwater Fishing

Fish attractants come in all sorts of scents, colors and viscosity. They can be sprayed, poured or rubbed on fishing lures to help bring in fish. Different fish varieties may be attracted to different scents. Fish scents are also found for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Why do fishermen use fish attractants in the first place?

A fisherman usually uses fish attractants for one of three reasons. The first is obvious: the fisherman wants to attract fish to the fishing lure by way of applying the fish scent. In other words, the scent makes it more appealing for a particular fish to bite the lure, hopefully resulting in a higher strike rate. Different species may prefer a particular flavor or scent and may take a lure if applied.

Another one is to mask any smells that a fish may not find appealing. We all have oils on our hands that can transfer to a lure and the actual sweat we produce can also transfer. Also, anything we touch like food, lotions, smokes, bug repellant, the ground, other lures or even other fish, can also transfer to the lure or line. Applying the fish scent can help to mask any other smells that a fish may fine distasteful.

The last one is by last resort. A fisherman is out all day using all types of lures and baits with nothing to show for it with a bunch of finicky fish in the lake avoiding everything. When looking for a specific fish and all the their favorite lures have been used, sometimes just a little something different may spark an otherwise fishless day.

Here are some of the more popular types of fishing scents that can be found.

The Different Scents That Attract Fish

Fish are attracted to different scents, and attractants available are varied. Popular fish scents include crawfish, shrimp, garlic, anchovy, sardine, specific fish oils, and anise. They are also formulated to attract certain types of fish, for example if you are looking for crappie there are actual fish scents formulated just for crappie.

Fish scents come in many different styles. The aerosol spray and squirt bottles can just be sprayed on easily. Gel and liquid fish scents can be poured, rubbed, dipped or smeared all over the lure. Solids are also available such as those in the form of tubes.

Here are different types of fish attractants from different brands. Try one when fishing to see if they work for you.





And if you are making a homemade lure to use with fish attractants: