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Something Odorous About Scents.

Let's try to make some sense out of scents. For years, fishermen on Mega Bites have been applying this and that to their lures in an effort to catch more fish.

 To this day, I still do not know if fish scents work. I know that anglers who dabble in scents catch fish after using it. But was the bite due to the oily mixture? Or did the angler just happen to cast his lure to the right spot at the right time?

 A lot of scientific research has been done on scents. And I'm sure most of that was paid for by tackle manufacturers. Companies such as Berkley sell thousands of gallons of fish attractant each year at a price that makes the cost of a gallon of gasoline seem trivial. It's a big money-maker for them.

  I've resisted squirting scents on my lures for all my years of fishing. But, I never purchased any snake oil or hair growth lotion either. I am, by all measurements, a skeptical person. But I confess I did try WD-40 once without conclusive results. Then had to ban it from the boat because it made the decks slippery.

 Recently, I read some interesting scientific stuff on fish attractants. By observing gamefish in shallow tanks scientists are learning what works and what doesn't. Their formulations contain many oil-type ingredients and even salt (strange for freshwater fish), garlic and anise (even stranger). All of it is designed to convince the fish to hold onto the bait longer.

 They keep running into the same problem, though. As soon as the bait hits the water most of the attractant washes off and is lost. So anglers have to keep applying the stuff on every cast. And that has spawned another phase - the development of a device to release a scent a little at a time. They are coming to a bait shop near you real soon.

 After all that reading I wondered if they tried tossing worms into the water? I've done that and I can tell you this: fish go nuts for them. Scientists write that it's the "earthy" odor of the worm that attracts fish and that is the formulation they are trying to perfect.

 All of it leaves me scratching my head. If fish dig worms, why bother with something else? The answer apparently lies in the Field of Dreams theory which simply states " Build it and they (anglers) will buy."

 The bottom line is that with all the research there still is no conclusive evidence that you'll catch more walleyes if you use an attractant.

 However, I do know this: find a school of Lake Erie walleyes and drag something flashy through it - maybe with a nightcrawler on the hook - and most of the time you will catch'em.

  And I think those odds are better than the ones they get in a test tank.

"Believe it or not, I even caught two huge carp on the same rigging. Couldn't even lift them out of

the water (too heavy), so I broke off the jig both times. Had 4 or 5 other walleyes hooked, but lost them on the way in." Tester said the walleyes spend the whole winter there because they can't get beyond the dam.

Did you know you can purchase your Ohio fishing license online? It's a time-saver. Rather than spending time running around to get a license the night/morning before your charter, buy and print your license at home. Make sure you specify the day you'll be fishing if purchasing a one-day or three-day permit. Here's a link to get your license. Put it in your favorites so it will be handy.
 
 www.greatlodge.com/oh/license/welcome?ol=undefined

Illinois angler Don Prola nailed this plump walleye from Mega Bites last spring.
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Ice Fishing Tips

All over the Midwest there are many opportunities to fish for walleyes during the winter. And most of them are through the ice at local lakes and reservoirs. Here are a couple simple rules for hardwater walleyes:

 1. Take a variety of lures with you. Experts say walleyes can become accustomed to seeing the same action over and over. When this happens the fish tend to become less aggressive. The assortment should include a wide selection of spoons and jigs. The action walleyes are most attracted to will begin to change over time, so make sure you are ready.

  2. Size does matter in ice fishing. If the fish are active, many times a larger jig or spoon can entice a trophy walleye to bite. If things are slow however, consider downsizing your tackle.

  The same bait on the same lure will have diminished returns as the winter wears on.

  Again, the size of the bait depends on the mood of the fish. Downscale the size of the bait on your lure if you are having a tough time getting the walleye to bite.

  3. You may have to experiment a little to find what the walleye are really attracted to. Go with what your instinct tells you right off the bat. If your success is limited, don’t hesitate to mix it up a little.

  4. Equip yourself with waterproof insulated boots. Don’t skimp here because cold feet will send you back to the vehicle quicker than anything.

 A goose down outer shell that is windproof and waterproof is recommended. And always take extra clothing. You never know when you will need them.
   

Lake Erie Day At Show 
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory, the nation's oldest freshwater biological field station on Gibraltar Island at Put-in-Bay, will benefit from Lake Erie Day at this year's boat show in Cleveland.

 Sea Grant and Stone Lab will receive $1 from every admission on Jan. 19. The Cleveland Boat & Waterfront Lifestyle Expo runs from Jan. 16-25 at the I-X Center, 6200 Riverside Dr. in Cleveland.

  Lake Erie Day events will feature drawings for Lake Erie-related prizes; a visit from Kristin Stanford, the Island Snake Lady; and presentations on Lake Erie science and travel.

 Money from the fundraiser will go into the research, education, and outreach efforts of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory.