If you have been fishing for a minute, you’ve probably heard of Pro-Cure bait scents. Fish have many different senses, and one of the most important, in our opinion, is the smell. Fish have two small holes on the tops of their nose, which act as nostrils. Over the years, you have probably seen dozens of new scents that come and go like most fads; however, Pro-Cure has withstood the test of time, and they have been around for decades. What we like about Pro-Cure baits:
- Pro-Cure baits scents are made from real whole baits; they do not substitute with unnecessary artificial ingredients.
- All the scents are UV enhanced to make sure your lure or bait stand out that much more.
- There are scent specific gels for each species; this increases your odds to catch the exact species of fish that you are searching for. For example, if you are fishing for bass, you apply the bass scent.
- Pro-Cure offers a money-back guarantee after using their products.
All of the above-referenced points are a prime reason why you should try Pro-Cure. However, I am here to tell you that if you aren’t using their scents, then you are not catching as many fish as you could be. No, this is not a paid plug. I'm just a friend/angler informing another friend/angler about the closest thing to a magical formula that WILL help increase your bite, hookup ratio.
When Did I Start Using Pro-Cure?
I started using the oily but deadly scents about ten years ago or so. Fish are being pressured more than ever, especially with learning resources such as the web and YouTube more specifically. I am always trying to get the upper hand; therefore, I continually test and try new things. As a fisherman, I think this is important; we must evolve as they evolve.
I first started using the saltwater shrimp scent for redfish, and I instantly saw an increase in bites, especially when fishing high tide around mangrove trees. One method that I would use included a soft plastic on a jig head. I would apply a thin coat of oil to the bait. Cast near the trees, the key is to allow the lure to sit for a minute. The tide would slowly disperse the oils through the water, attracting pinfish and then, of course, the big ole hungry redfish.
How to Apply Pro-Cure to Artificial Baits
It’s quite simple, the oil is very tacky and can be messy but all I do is open the bottle, squeeze a generous amount of oil onto the bait and use your finger to evenly coat the lure. The scent usually stays on for fifteen casts or so. Here is a graphic demonstration:
1. Grab some yummy Pro-Cure, flavor of your choice.
2. Flip-up the Pro-Cure top
3. Apply a generous amount of gel to the side of your lure or bait as you see below:
4. Use your finger to evenly coat the lure or bait.
Tips on How to Keep the Gel on Your Bait for Longer
Another technique that I like using is squeezing the oil into the cavity of the soft plastics. This tends to hold the oil in the bait longer allowing for fewer applications and it is deadly. You can also cut small slits into existing soft baits that don’t already have one and, it’s equally effective.
Which Scents Work the Best?
I have used dozens of Pro-Cure scents over the years, but there are a few that have stood out.
Threadfin Shad Super Gel – The ideal scent for most inshore applications. In the heat of the summer, this is a very popular scent that I use consistently. The whitebait is abundant on the flats, and I like to match the hatch.
Shrimp Super Gel – One of the ultimate scents for saltwater fishing in our opinion. If you want to catch more fish, use and test this oil. I like to apply this scent to DOA Shrimp, Bite shrimp, and any gold swimming style bait. It’s deadly and you will soon agree.
Trophy Bass Super Gel – If you want to catch MORE big bass, start applying the trophy bass super gel to all of your Senko’s and soft plastics in general. Work the baits slow and let the scent do the work for you, it’s incredible!
Inshore Saltwater Formula Super Gel – This is an overall great scent for ALL inshore species. I typically do very well when targeting snook, redfish, trout, and flounder. It’s great to add to both hard baits and soft plastics.
Storing of Pro-Cure
There is no doubt that the gels can get messy and sticky, we recommend storing all opened containers out of direct heat and sunlight. We have found that they do fine in a cabinet in the garage after each fishing adventure. I have had some extra bottles of Pro-Cure for years, and they have never hardened or ruined over time. I have yet to throw out a bottle due to it going bad, so the shelf life is quite extraordinary. When on the boat or kayak, I place the Pro-Cure containers in a Plano box or side storage of my tackle bag.
Conclusion
You want the extra advantage if you are struggling to get bites or just want more action, pick you up some Pro-Cure and give it a try. The cost is about $5-8 per bottle depending on where you purchase it but it’s a small investment for a great return. Let us know below, what is your go-to scent? Have you tested it before? Does it make a difference? If you want more articles like this, share your suggestions below and we will do our best to cater to your needs and request. Until next time, we will see you on the water.
I also created a short video tutorial many years ago showing how to apply Pro-Cure. Our page has grown quite drastically since this video, but it still gives you an idea of how to apply the gel. Pretty straight forward and easy enough.
