Fish Attractants

So what attracts fish or game and what do we use ?  

Of the two things that interest animals, we as hunters can have an affect on their foraging habits. Knowing what product to use depends on what type of animal you are targeting and the distribution method used.

Both fresh and salt water fishermen using artificial baits know many fish will only hold a lure for 2 or 3 seconds before spitting it out. But if the artificial is enhanced with an appropriate scent or flavor the fish will hold much longer.  Many artificial baits are infused with scents improving your odds, but many do not have an appropriate type or amount of flavor to make the difference.   Applying a little anise oil or menhaden oil to your artificial bait can make the difference.

Natural baits, dead or live, inherently have scent and flavor, but you can improve your chances here as well. Captain Sonny Aylesworth, a legendary tarpon guide from the west coast of Florida, would soak his dead baits in menhaden oil and anise oil before heading to his favorite spots. Before hooking the live pogy, mullet, ladyfish or whatever bait he was using, he would inject anise oil into the flesh, just under the skin.  He claimed to get more strikes this way and never varied from this formula.

Washing your hands with soap and anise oil will mask human scent and eliminate suntan oils and soap scents.  

Be sure the anise oil is pure. There is only 10% anise oil in your grocery store spice rack, the other 90% is alcohol.

Menhaden oil is a tried and true fish attractant. Ask any professional kingfish tournament fisherman. Use it in a dispersion system such as a dripper bag or supercharge your chum mix. Used in both recreational and commercial applications. Commercial yellowtail snapper fishermen in the keys mix batches of ground chum, oats, menhaden oil and sand.  The sand allows the mix to act as a weight and will also carry the oil down through the water column. As the sandball breaks up, the oil moves upward for better dispersion creating that desired “slick” that drives the fish to your bait. The trick is to attract the baitfish that that your target fish forage on. There is always something feeding on a bait school.

Try menhaden oil when hunting big game. Some states allow baiting for wild boar since they are feral and compete with native species. Just pour a little around their favorite forage areas and you won't believe the results!

Quality menhaden oil should always contain fat. The fat carries the most potent scent. Beware of menhaden oils that claim their refined oil is desirable. It is not.  “Bottom” or “crude” menhaden oil is hard to find as most producers prefer to refine their oil to be used in cosmetics, feeds and even food as this is more profitable.  BAITMASTERS Menhaden Oil  is consistently produced in crude form and contains a superior quantity of natural fat.

Capt Van's MAGIC FISH'N CHUM is brewed by one of the Florida West Coast’s top live bait fishing guides, Captain Van Hubbard of Placida, Florida, Let's Go Fishin' . This secret mixture requires no refrigeration, won’t stink in storage, attracts all types of fish (especially bait fish) and comes in a convenient resealable tub. Exclusively distributed by Aylesworth's  FISH & BAIT, this is one of the cleanest, most convenient chums on the market!
 

Voodoo Menhaden Milk is a unique product developed by a pharmacist. Comprised of menhaden oil and natural emulsifiers, the oil actually sinks to cover the entire water column.  Very popular with professional tournament fishermen.

BAITMASTERS Pure Anise Oil is available in ½ oz. bottles with eye dropper attached

BAITMASTERS Menhaden Oil  sold in 1 pint squirt bottles and 1 gallon jugs

Capt Van's MAGIC FISH'N CHUM is available in 1 pund and 4 pound tubs, 30 pound buckets.

Voodoo Offshore Menhaden Milk available in quarts and gallons