Scented soft plastic lures have changed the way many of us fish. Here is a brief history of how scent went from natural bait on a hook to one of the most effective tools in modern fishing.

Fishermen have used scent to attract fish since ancient times, baiting hooks with worms, fish guts, and even cheese. The modern era began in the 1950s, when Nick Creme added scent to soft plastic lures — a major step forward for the industry.

The "Wiggle Worm" was Creme's first scented soft plastic lure. It was imbued with a fish-attracting scent that made it enticing to fish, and it was the company's first scented soft plastic lure overall. The Wiggle Worm became an overnight sensation and is credited with paving the way for the scented soft plastic lures in widespread use today.

In the 1980s, Berkley introduced a new line of soft plastic lures that shook things up again. In 1987, Berkley Powerbait was first sold, a soft plastic bait infused with a fish-attracting scent that lasted longer than traditional scents. The Powerbait line quickly became a favorite among anglers and is still popular today. Then, in 2003, Berkley Gulp was introduced, a line of biodegradable soft plastic lures that released a natural scent that mimicked live bait. Gulp quickly became a hit among fishermen, and the line has since expanded to include a variety of shapes and scents. Berkley Powerbait and Berkley Gulp further cemented the effectiveness of scented soft plastic lures in the fishing industry.

Since then, a number of studies have shown that scented soft plastic lures are effective fishing tools. According to research, fish have a heightened sense of smell and are able to detect odors in the water from a considerable distance. Scented lures can boost the bite rate as well as the amount of time fish hold onto the bait, which ultimately leads to more successful catches.

The use of scent in fishing lures has grown over the years, and different fragrances and formulations have been developed to attract particular species of fish. Garlic, shrimp, anise, and crawfish are just a few examples of the common scents used in soft plastic lures today.

Check out this video covering a recent study on largemouth bass and how they use smell:



For more on the history and science behind scented soft plastic lures:

• Scent and Lures: How Fish Attractants Work
• The Science Behind Scented Lures
• Fish Attractants: Do They Really Work?

Next time you are out on the water with a scented soft plastic lure, you will know the decades of trial and error behind it. Tight lines.

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