Do Lure Scents Help You Catch More Fish?? (Or Is It A Sales Trick?)

▬▬EliasVFishing Mackinaw Shads & Extreme Paddletails▬▬
Full line of lures available here - www.eliasvfishing.com/
▬▬Waterland Co Sunglasses▬▬
Get your polarized glasses here - www.Waterlandco.com use code EliasV at check out for 15% off!
▬▬Setups Used▬▬
Jigging World Night Ranger 7'2 MH - www.tackleworld.com/products/...
Shimano Vanford 3000 - amzn.to/3mugxgk
Spooled with 15lb Berkley x9 - amzn.to/3aRCDH6
Jigging World Power Handle - www.tackleworld.com/products/...
12lb Leader - amzn.to/3lJ6rI2
▬▬Lures Used▬▬
1oz Mackinaw Shad - www.eliasvfishing.com/product...
Procure Alewife - amzn.to/3tGWdfA
Procure Trout Magic - amzn.to/3xVm5qM
▬▬Bottom Sweeper Jigs▬▬
lddy.no/fo6r
▬▬Free Salt Strong Lure Offers (Shipping Charge Only)▬▬
Slam Shady - bit.ly/EliasVFreeSlamShady
FRED - bit.ly/EliasVRedfishLure
Dr. Juice - bit.ly/EliasVFreeScent
Gold Digger - bit.ly/EliasVGoldDiggerLures
Alabama Leprechaun - bit.ly/EliasVFreeJerkBaits
▬▬Awesome Sun Shirts I Wear▬▬
Dunleavy Apparel - lddy.no/xder
Above are affiliate links - if you purchase ANYTHING through a link above, I get paid a commission.
▬▬Bonus Weekly Videos!▬▬
Extra weekly raw or tactical videos are posted on the paid Patreon platform - subscribe here:
/ eliasvfishing

[@MRMIKE276]

I bought some of Mike's scented stuff off Amazon and threw down a fake squid bait offshore. It was so effective I had big chunks taken out of the soft plastic at the top of the lure. Mind you, literally nothing was biting before that... I was barely getting a nibble on shrimp.

[@johningrassia4150]

Appreciate seeing the struggle as much as the bangers. Most of us out there struggle for bites due to being real amateurs or fishing heavily pressured area. Any edge is worth trying. Thanks for the video Elias and good weekend my friend.

[@ChewingToons]

I have experimented hard with this topic over a 3 day period. Me and friend throwing the same plastics,same rod,same area. 1 using scents the other not. And after 3 days the unscented lures were +1 ahead. The only time that the scented one came out on top was soaking the Gulp soft plastics in pro cure 24 hours for Flounder and it was well ahead. Also it worked well when chumming in shallow bays with no tide. Minced up fish,breadcrums,crab claws/shells etc etc and Dr Juice.

[@controlcam820]

We catch lots of Big flounder using Gulp pearl white curly tails. But why would soak them in that pro cure crap when their already soaked in their magic juice LOL !

[@mrdiamanti9157]

Man been using zman scents on my plastics here in Nz and they really do increase the bite tenfold. Awesome to see it in action on freshwater thanks dude!

[@chrislefevre5315]

Really appreciate the objective and substance over style approach in your videos. One of the best out there in grinding and figuring it out. Thanks for the hard work and honest content

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

I’m glad to know that even for the best of fishermen it’s still a grind and that’s why they call it fishing, it’s a good equalizer of men!

[@Steve-qo4hi]

Been a big fan for years. I love how you mix it up some fresh water stuff. Stay safe.

[@amess3592]

Just realized that your tattoo is of Barad-dûr even after watching so many videos.

[@reykennedy5716]

Lol, I swear I remember seeing him with a tattoo of the brand from Berserk or maybe something Berserk in his house. He's a closet geek like me.

[@shadygraves]

I've used BANG for bass for decades. I've won enough money to know that it absolutely puts more fish in the boat. I seldom wet a plastic lure without it anymore. That oily sheen on the water lets you know it's working. Fish bite and will not let go. Pick any kind of worm with green glitter in it, put a rattle in it and spray it with BANG Crawfish, Garlic, or my favorite, Pure Craw. You will catch more bass at night than you ever dreamed possible. Use GLISS, thermally fused Dyneema line and a super sensitive rod in order to detect all the bites you will inevitably get. You're welcome!

[@JoeGraveDancer]

I yak the finger lakes 100% because of you! ☺️ I used to pull copper with my Dad years ago. Not too thrilling but a great way to put trout on the table. My fish finder is sensitive enough to show my lure, even in 120 fow. I watch dozens of Lakers chase my lure down and up before one will finally hit. Looks like I need to start using scents!! Thanks for all your finger lakes videos. Whenever I see you post one, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Stay safe and God Bless.

[@showernatty]

Absolutely loving the recent vids! Great stuff!

[@fishy67chevelle]

Elias, I'd like to see how you would tackle Jocassee Lake in upstate South Carolina. I've managed a few trout from the kayak there but it's very tough for even a boat. There's spotted bass and small mouth in there too.

[@EliasVFishing]

I want to try a few of those reservoirs soon! Santee Cooper this December as well.

[@UnionCountyPhotography]

I use Pro-Cure all the time for fluke, it really does work. You’ll have them hit it less than a second you hit the bottom. I’d say scents do work just you gotta get the right scent.

[@vladoutdoors1191]

I swear by procure alewife. I was learning to jig on Raystown lake and kept having very little success. Alewife is the main forage there and there is a ton of it. Put some pro cure on a mini mack and got my PB striper. Got my PB laker a few days later with a lot more smaller fish in between. I think it makes more of a difference when the fish are finicky or spread out for sure. Awesome vid as always!!!

[@michaelhornung7266]

Miss those Finger lakes having grown up in the area.

[@gunnarbuz]

There is something very rewarding about jigging lakers from a kayak since they are such a challenge that way, my heart always races the second I marked them chasing my jig then being on the line

[@matthewmercer2477]

A pleasure as usual, thanks Eli. With out a doubt, scents work wonders. When powerbait came out 30 yrs ago It dwarfed the competition. I use garlic in SW fla salt water and it works VERY well. My favs are Liquid Mayhem Fish Attractant (stains white fiberglass on boat), Bass Dynasty Fish Attractant and MegaStrike Fish Attractant. I think the "flavors" sell fisherman. Im using a garlic and nightcrawer in salt water, kills them, dont know why. Some brands work some don't. Only real way to test is to get on a school with a good bite then try diff baits/scents. Trial and error. Keep them coming Elias.

[@Msquad321]

"Victory-at-Sea-ish". Ha !! ... coolest description. At least I get it.

[@drumskank]

Great video. Been looking to incorporate some scents to my Z Man shrimp baits and this video proves they work. Also, any fisherman rocking an Eye of Sauron LoTR tattoo is badass in my opinion. Fish on brother!

[@madbass1002]

There was some sent that Eagle Claw used to make called Nitro Grease. When we used it on our trolling spoons in Lake Superior it would out produce the spoons that didn't have any on it. It was the salmon egg scent and we tried it side by side with the same spoon at the same depth, it out fished the other spoon 5 to 1.

[@colinbrewer9249]

loving these fresh water vids man. Ever consider trying to fish the Niagara Bar area of Lake Ontario? Good Rainbows, Browns, Lakers and Salmon.

[@EliasVFishing]

Not sure if that area is easily doable via kayak.

[@traumahawk517]

I know how hard you work Bro! and I'm thankful for it...if it wasn't for people like yourself I wouldn't have learned as much as I have so far "THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO" some people not all people think your job is done when you turn off the camera.WRONG!!

[@karenuntz6514]

If you're in freshwater, that drop off is perfect to troll out some stripers. 😏 On lakes, I mostly rig Texas with green or orange pumpkinseed, paint the tails chartreuse, hit them with garlic bang spray cuz it leaves a scent trail. For bass mostly. Trolling stripers, I use a large, mid diving natural colored lure.

[@nathanmorkovsky2855]

Thank you for your insight🎣

[@ctcraftii]

It ain't all roses and lollipops even for Elias. Thanks for sharing, great work as always

[@jhuntnfish6872]

Man always love the vids. Your a genuine guy and it shows. You used to show a few budget setups. But now your sporting and 600$ combo. How things have changed in last 2 to 3 yrs its awsome for you. Keep em coming bud.

[@EliasVFishing]

Thank you. I do try to bust out the Fenwicks and some $100 range stuff to keep it relatable when I can.

[@jhuntnfish6872]

@@EliasVFishing use what you want I have some nice stuff too.

[@rdo6566]

Been a Pro Cure fan for years! Both fresh and salt water!

[@cptbimes1]

I started using pro-cure because I started watching your videos long time ago. It really does help the bite.

[@FrankLadd]

I really like the Pro Cure and when others are using the same lures as me, I have it and catch more until I share it. It only takes a drop so a little bottle lasts me over a year.

[@johnd3901]

Redfish pick up my unattended hardbaits off the bottom with Ladyfish procure on them all the time. This happens while I'm re tying another set up, there is no doubt in my mind they work.

[@thomasjarosz7406]

Elias, Scent does make a difference. Procure,Dr juice, are my favorites.{freshwater} God Bless

[@fishingwithfilitsa]

Great video👍👍

[@OHCreekFishing]

Can I ask you a question? Are the Mackinaw Shad named after the lovely little city and the island up in Northern Michigan? Tight lines man!

[@scottpiner2149]

I use Pro-Cure around Wrightville/Masonboro/Surf City mainly to mask my scent. I do notice that it seems to wash off the plastics pretty quickly though.

[@bobjohnson7207]

Hey Elias I won't go Rainbow Trout fishing without getting up in the dark and chopping up Garlic for my eggs. Although Rainbows feed 90% by site. I still apply Mikes Garlic UV and for sure it doesn't scare the whoppers away. Anyways awesome channel 👍

[@stevesando6695]

hard day, but you still got some. keep it going.

[@someoldmanoutdoors9136]

I enjoyed learning more about the procure scent. Do They have one that you use for catfish and have you used it.

[@Badkharma21]

Gulp maggots work well for us. the sit nice on a hook.

[@thatonebeone]

i did that same test.. i caught more without it....what i notice is the fish like a darting feeling action that gets the bite going..heck i even caught a halibut on my bucktail lure i made and it was just drifting not even moving my lure and all i see is my rod bend ..i stopped using scents... plu i use fly lures also... all about bite times and tide movements for me in the ocean bay..

[@MrSaltwaterfreak]

Never leave the dock without the "sauce" 🤙

[@tjeffjenkins6226]

NICE to see persistence paying!

[@mrmilo5203]

Enjoyed the content 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@woodystemms3799]

So much for making fishing "easy" with electronics. Keeping track of bottom depth & contour is, evidently, more important than marking fish.

[@THEEXALTEDMUZZATHEBUZZER82]

I smoke so scent is good for getting rid of nicotine, plus it doesn't attract fish but if something is gunna bite a lure like say a Metal Blade it will most likely grab it for that extra bit longer.

[@steamyrayvaughn392]

that rod looks pretty sick

[@mark-ib7sz]

Excellent !!!

[@brendansheehan6192]

Hey man loving the content. Been really kicking ass and bringing it up a notch the last few years. What jig head is on there for ya? Is that your own brand like the shads? What website to buy?

[@EliasVFishing]

EliasVFishing.com

[@unionsquaregrassman]

Wish I was there...

[@steamyrayvaughn392]

when you going back to florida?

[@MakinHicks]

My train of thought with such products..either saltwater or freshwater..is that the fish will often hold onto a bait longer with a scent applied. I like such products when fishing for freshwater bass. Gives you more time to pick up slack and set the hook. Not so much as an “attractant.” Of course there are exceptions such as catfish (which I never target) or sharks. I have never fished for or caught a lake trout. I would have thought that they were more of visual predators. Midline also. Vibrations and such. Not so much scent. This is just my experience bro. Love the channel. Envy your time on the H20. In the end..confidence matters. Cheers from the Ocean Stare.

[@moseskongi4746]

I don't believe scent can attract fish because it is the lure itself that does the attracting, except maybe when a lure like say a bass jig with fresh amount of scent is left alone because the fisherman dropped his rod to take a piss or something like that. A bass swimming by might notice the lure and after a closer look might strike it since it was attracted to the favorable smell coming off of it. This happens because the fish entered what I call the lure's "scent cloud." A lure with fresh amount of scent will give off its odors in its own little hemisphere and a fish entering this could be attracted and then triggered to bite. Now some scent manufacturers will claim that scent can leave a "scent trail," which is fucking ridiculous since there are so many microcurrents in the water that this is very unlikely. I also think that fish hold onto a lure depending not only on its smell/taste, but also its texture. If the lure is a soft plastic one or a hardbait, the former will be held on and maybe even swallowed while the latter will get rejected quickly once the little nigga finds its taste to be unnatural.

[@FrankLadd]

It ia interesting that when you travel for lake fishing that you chose the Hobie vs the Electric Old Town.

[@EliasVFishing]

I should have brought the Old Town, but the ease of transporting the outback was a big plus!

[@johngriffin5446]

do lakers not taste good? i havent had one since i was a kid and we dont get them here in florida

[@michaelhornung7266]

Works for me

[@joelwcarter8058]

are you fishing in one of the great lakes?

[@rick-i-ver1540]

It probably masks Human scent, which isn't natural to fish, and may deter a strike or two ! Now to watching the vid ! 👍

[@StinkyyPete]

Hey quick question..I just picked up the 3inch Mackinaw shad(s) with a 3/8 jig...looking up to work it in the delaware river (non tidal section) from the bank for whatever is hungry.... any general advice on technique? Can it be fished successfully at all in semi shallow water?

[@EliasVFishing]

If you have some zones for big white perch and walleye they’ll work really well!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

I know lure scents keep my wife away if it drips on my hands or clothes

[@NikonF5user]

Do you have a formula you use for determining leader test? I'm never sure whether to use the same test, higher, or lower. Higher when fighting toothy fish I'm guessing like bluefish or pike. But why lower for trout? Visibility?

[@HATINTHEKAT]

Salmon and trout have very good eyesight, which is why people tend to use lighter tests for them and or fluorocarbon or at least low viz mono for them

[@thegoods2240]

I don't think scent does much to be honest. What does make a difference IMO is washing lures with scent free soap and handling them as little as possible to keep human scent off them. I don't use soft plastics, but probably wouldn't wash those.

[@jamieedwards4334]

Do you ever catch dinks? your fish are always nice

[@koopasix5897]

"We're gunna need a bigger net" If its the adjustable one, I have that same net. Clip it onto the front of my crate behind the seat

[@Shawnpmetal]

Awesome video. And that net is straight garbage lol

[@THEEXALTEDMUZZATHEBUZZER82]

Its also cheaper to just use minced Garlic.

[@Obxhatman]

So on this topic , I think its a multi faceted thing. Using scents on plastics I think would be more effective if there was a way to directly inject the scent into the body of the plastic. When I use it , I assume the UV flash part of the gel is SUPPOSE to work like fingernail gel that women put under a UV light to cure or harden the gel coat. We all know that the scent we are using , DOES NOT do this. If it actually could it would be more effective. Cause the second it hits water most of it, if not all of it comes off. Now onto the other part, ONLY one company has successfully applied a scent that stays for long periods of time on the body of its soft plastics. That is Gulp. Whatever they have done , works , hands down , in every application where I have tried to use scents on non scented plastics , I catch significantly fewer fish than with gulp , the second I go to gulp , I start getting A LOT more bites. Granted , every little pinfish or croaker or spot wrecks my tail off my gulp but you can still fish with it. It will still catch fish even without any action. In fact , I would be willing to bet , you could cut up gulp in small pieces and use it on a bottom rig off a pier and catch fish that way as well. Gulp is way to soft , but the design is necessary to hold the liquid within its material. If a company could make the plastic the same as gulp and use scents like the UV flash stuff but in a more soluble solution so it can penetrate the soft plastic. It would be the first real competitor to Gulp. Gulp is the king on this area and will be for a long time , costly yes , but worth it , every time.

[@t-bonejones3576]

No surprise trout are triggered by scents. They are very good at it! They are closely related to salmon, which find their way back to their exact natal streams using the sense of smell.

[@mattzapala4791]

At this point, I don’t think it’s an even a debate that scent can make a huge difference. I think the only real debate is the level of effectiveness based on technique, species, and of the specific scent product. With dropshotting using livescope - I have been able to literally throw the same lure (one with scent and one without) to the same exact bass (largemouth/smallmouth) and have repeatedly been able to catch the same fish that did not eat an unscented lure by getting the same, but scented, lure in front of it. The thing I’m still trying to figure out is the true difference in effectiveness between water and oil based scents. The super gels you use are their oil based products (that many argue don’t disperse and mix with water) while pro cure also has water based scents that give off “clouds” of scent. So far, I’m at both work but I mainly use the super gel because it gets absorbed by zman elaz tech.

[@shephusted2714]

the struggle is real? i say chum helps you catch fish for sure but the lure slime? not so much

[@Mike_The_Hog_A_Nator]

I've noticed Zero Difference using that gel stuff. It doesn't stick to my wet or dry paddle tails. Especially if they already wet. I can get 2 cast & it's gone.. ProCure Shrimp Scent

[@fishingtherapy4565]

Maybe if you had a smaller net...

[@rwhclo]

I remember my dad spraying wd40 on Rapalas and trolling for bass in the Florida Everglades in the 70's, he caught a 17.6 lb one time, with the tail touching the ground it was longer than I was tall at the time, this was in 1969 or 70. We were fishing out of a john boat with a 3.9hp mercury outboard.

[@ralphdesiena4990]

Why have you not posted for over a month??

[@thomasgoff4700]

One word of wisdom for you. I see you are wearing chest waders on the yak. It’s not a good idea in case your boat goes over they will fill up. I can tell you by my experience when my yak went over when I was bringing in my catch. It was not good and thank goodness I had my whistle to get attention of a boater to help me.

[@tomtamblyn1149]

Of course they do!! They caught you….

[@mahogsed7539]

whatever net you have i dont like it

[@comfortablynumb9342]

In my experience scents absolutely help catch fish. When little tail biters don't hit soft plastics and I put scent on them I start getting bites immediately. And Gulp obviously catches a lot of fish. The Salt Strong guys have some videos about scent and they say a fish's sense of smell is far better than a dog's. Negative scents make a huge difference too, like bug repellent, smoke smells , sunscreen, human sweat, gas, and other unnatural smells repel fish. Using a scent helps cover up the bad stuff. The Salt Strong guys tested ProCure and Dr Juice and said they did better with the Dr Juice products because they have sex pheromones, fear pheromones and ground up bait, and it's base stays on soft plastics longer.