What's the best scent out there for striped bass?

[Light Tackle]

This is my first time posting and I really enjoy reading all the questions/answers so I thought I would pose my question to the rest of you all and see what you all think. I recently bought a container of Carolina Lunker Sauce Menhaden Shad and also Smelly Jelly Menhaden Scent. I was tempted to buy a container of Sea Bait Scent but couldn't decide which scent flavor to pick out( I was between Eel, Menhaden ,and Clamworm scent). I know Steve McKenna uses Sea Bait and was wondering which one he recommends. My question is : Are there any thoughts on the scents mentioned above and if they truly work and will they help catch more fish? I have had a hard time telling if they really do truly work as I use mostly reaction baits like Sluggo's and jerk baits and have done very well without any scents. Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

[Frightnight]

Well, I fished with a friend about a month ago, shoulder to shoulder.........same bait and everything. He was using menhaden oil, and landed 4 keeper bass, and I was completely skunked. I since purchased some, and now I have landed so many bass, and they guy with me, has been skunked the last 3 outtings? I don't know what kind I have,i would have to look, but get some good quality stuff from SWE or another bait shop, not cheap Walmart stuff. It does not work.

[Steve]

I mainly use the 9 inch sluggo and spray them with any of the Sea Bait scents.

[clogston]

I use bunker oil. Carry in one of those little hand sanitary wash bottles. Really only use it with soft plastic. I don't know if it makes a difference to the fish or not, but why not use it.

Steve, do you think that the sea bait stays on longer and better than bunker oil?

[Steve]

Yes, but a small bottle is expensie. I usually mix the Sea Bait with cheaper bunker oil-- maybe 50/50.

[capjimy]

This is a great thread, l've often wondered about how the scent thing works or if it ever does, and the more l thought about it the more l thought it would. But l too was wondering what would be good for plugs or hard baits? lt seems to me they wash right off and your back to square one, does anyone make a pasty type of scent thing that would be more sticky to the lures and not so adapt to wash right off, l fish a lot of surf for bass here in Calif. and am very sad to say it's been a tough year for all of us, so l'm lookin for a sticky scent that l can use to hopefully give me a little help. Many thanks in advance. Jim

[Falknersisle]

Hardbaits ( REdfins,Bombers) can be drilled and filled with bunker/shad scent and then the hole plugged with a piece of sponge. About 10cc will make them cast better and leave a scent trail. You will have to replenish the scent from time to time.