Does Scent ACTUALLY Help You Catch More Fish? (Real Test)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
Fishing scents have been around for decades, but do they actually make a difference?
In this video, we’re putting them to the test. We’ll fish two nearly identical lures side by side: one with scent and one without. Which one will catch more fish? Along the way, we’ll break down the different types of fish attractant scents, how they work, and why some species may rely more heavily on their sense of smell than others. If you’ve ever wondered whether scent is worth the hype, this video’s for you.
You’ll learn:
- Which species rely more on scent (redfish, trout, flounder, etc.)
- The science behind fish olfactory systems
- Key pros & cons of water-based, gel, and oil-based scents
- How to use scent to cover negative smells like sunscreen or fuel
👉 Click Here For The Scent That I Use Every Time I Go Fishing
Gear Shown in Video:
- Lures: 4″ Mulligan Paddletail & Berkley Gulp Dragon Tail
- Jig head: Hoss Round Eye Jig Head
- Reel: Otis 2500 Spinning Reel
- Rod: 7′ 6″ Slam Stick Medium
- Mainline: Diawa J-Braid 8 Grand 10lb
- Leader: Ande Mono Leader Material 20lb
- Scent: Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam
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Do you use scent on your lures or not?
Let us know in the comments!
-Pat
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I’ve been using Dr Juice (religiously) since watching this video. I think it has definitely helped- especially as the weather has gotten hotter and the fish have moved deeper.
I do believe scents act as a confidence booster to entice a cautious fish to go ahead and bite. It has worked for me also when I’m getting short bit.
I am sure the fish scene juice is better than the scents we have on our hands. No observed experience with adding fish scent but I know “human scents” like sun screen,fuel,etc are not liked by bait fish in the live well. Keep experimenting. 😎
Yes sir!! Thanks for watching!
I agree on Scent usage being a positive. Im a custom soft plastic baitmaker here in SC. I use shrimp scent and squid scent on my offshore offerings. Not necessarily shrimp scent on shrimp baits. My freshwater baits have anise, coffee, crawfish, garlic scents available. I also agree that it’s not only an attractant, but also masks human scents. You know how many folks stop and get gas on the way fishing? Have you ever smelled your hand after using a gas pump? And then you’re going to go handle your plastic baits.
Thanks for watching Randell!
I’ve ran across your web site looking for some spade tails for finesse fishing. Good looking stuff!
I’m with you, Pat I believe in the scent and it definitely just can’t hurt anything when you’re fishing 👍🏻🎣🇺🇸
Thanks Perrin!
Can yall tell me how long the dr juice will last stored in my tackle bad. Will it go out of date and break down.
It doesn’t have an expiration date but you should be good for a few years at least.
Well, being new to ensure fishing, I bought some salt Strong go juice or whatever it’s called. And I used it today as nothing was biting. And I didn’t have any different effect with the scent. But I do know that I could just be in an area where there were not any fish. So I will try again. I’m always open to ideas as I am new to ensure fishing.
More than likely you probably were not in a productive zone. Just keep at it and you’ll find them!
Pat…Late to the discussion but I use Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam almost exclusively. If for some reason it isn’t producing I switch to Pro-Cure Shrimp. My one complaint with Salt Strong is they no longer carry the Dr. Juice in the 4 ounce bottle. They used to carry the spray bottle that I would buy and dump in my little dropper bottle because it was so much more cost effective. At Bass Pro with my military discount a 4 ounce bottle of Dr. Juice is almost the same price as the Insider cost of a 1.25 ounce bottle. With shipping I can get more than three times as much at Bass Pro. Salt Strong needs to offer the 4 ounce bottles!
Kim, we stopped carrying the spray bottles because of the issues the sprayer created. It was easily clogged and to even get the point they have to dilute the product to spray. I’m sure how much it’s diluted but the dropper bottle is more concentrated.
Pat,
The 4 ounce squeeze bottle with the more easily operated one-hand operation twist open spout sold at Bass Pro, Cabelas, PW Mack is the same Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam as the 1.25 ounce bottle. I bought the 1.25 ounce when Salt Strong first offered it to try it and it worked and then bought the 4 ounce spray though I never used the spray; just opened it and dumped it in my 1.25 ounce. No difference in the material I could see. Both bottles say on their label “Salt Strong Exclusive Scent.” See my May 19, 2025 comment under the Dr. Juice listing! If Bass Pro can get the stuff in 4 ounce twist-to-open squeeze bottles, I would think Salt Strong could also.
Nice work as always Pat. I use Pro Cure and as with Chris below I put it on with my fingers and rub it in. In fact I put it in the bag and work it in as soon as they arrive in the mail. I tend to use Z Man Jerk Baits alot and I feel that product does absorb the scent. That said there is no better shrimp bait that the Salt Strong version and that too gets a rub of the pro cure. I dont use the different “flavors” as I am not sure fish are that smart. JMO but I do believe strongly in the use. Likely it mask other smells and definitely has an oily trail…
Great input! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Pat for the interesting video. I am not a fan of putting scent on hard plastics mainly because I feel if I want to use them a second,third,etc. time there could be decade material left.
Good point. The Dr Juice does get sticky after awhile but I’m willing to put up with it.