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Best Fish Attractants: Proven Scents, Gels, and Cures That Trigger More Bites

By: FishUSA Staff

September 19, 2025

Scent can be the final trigger. The right attractant masks human odor, mimics natural forage, and makes fish commit when they’re on the fence. A good gel stays on the bait. A good cure keeps roe fishable and vibrant. In this guide, I break down the best fish attractants for bass, crappie, panfish, trout, salmon, and steelhead—with simple tips and clear “Best For” callouts so you can grab what works and get back to fishing.

Scent can be the final trigger. The right attractant masks human odor, mimics natural forage, and makes fish commit when they’re on the fence. A good gel stays on the bait. A good cure keeps roe fishable and vibrant. In this guide, I break down the best fish attractants for bass, crappie, panfish, trout, salmon, and steelhead—with simple tips and clear “Best For” callouts so you can grab what works and get back to fishing.

Table of Contents

  • What Makes a Great Fish Attractant?
  • Best Fish Attractants
  • How to Use Fish Attractant
  • Quick Reference: Best Attractants by Species
  • Final Thoughts

What Makes a Great Fish Attractant?

  • Scent match: Should mimic forage like shad, alewife, crawfish, shrimp, or garlic blends.
  • Adhesion: Should cling to hard baits, soft plastics, jigs, or spoons without washing off quickly.
  • Cold and warm water effective: Should still release scent and stay sticky in a range of temps.
  • Easy application: Gels, bottles, and markers should apply clean, quick, and precise.
  • Species-specific design: Some scents and cures are tailored for certain species and tactics—use that to your advantage.

Best Fish Attractants

Berkley PowerBait Attractants

Best For: Crappie/Panfish

Berkley PowerBait Attractants deliver panfish-friendly flavors in easy-to-use formulas. I dab it on small tubes, grubs, and swimbaits when crappie are finicky. The scent masks unnatural odors and encourages light-biting fish to hold on longer. The crappie-panfish edition of this gel-like scent mimics some of the fish’s favorite forages, such as small minnows and aquatic insects. It also stays on the bait well, so one bottle can provide some serious longevity. 

Buy Berkley PowerBait Attractants

Pro-Cure Super Gel

Best For: Salmon/Steelhead/Trout

Pro-Cure Super Gel is thick, sticky, and made with real bait—anchovy, shrimp, herring, and more. I apply a small line to almost everything I use for salmon and steelhead - spoons, plugs, beads, jigs, even already scented bait like skein and egg sacs. It holds up well even in fast current or after long troll runs. With dozens of scent varieties to choose from, you’re sure to find one that your local salmon, steelhead, or trout can’t resist. 

Buy Pro-Cure Super Gel

Spike-It Dip-N-Glo Scented Soft Plastic Lure Dye Markers

Best For: Bass

Spike-It Dip-N-Glo Markers combine scent and color in one simple swipe. I use them to add flash and garlic to soft plastic claws, tail tips, or flukes. Chartreuse shines near bluegill beds or grass lines, while orange or red pops near rock or wood. A great trick to get more bites from pressured bass.

Buy Spike-It Dip-N-Glo Scented Soft Plastic Lure Dye Markers

Pautzke BorX O Fire Cure

Best For: Salmon/Steelhead Eggs

Pautzke BorX O Fire Cure locks in color and firms up roe for long, productive drifts. I use it to cure skein for kings and loose eggs for steelhead bags. Red or orange works in stained rivers; natural or pink excels in clear water. Proper cure keeps your bait fishing longer—and triggers more takes.

Buy Pautske Borx O Fire Cure

BaitFuel Attractant Gel

Best For: Bass

BaitFuel Gel spreads evenly, stays on soft plastics and jigs, and adds a subtle forage cue bass can’t ignore. It’s clean, non-greasy, and ideal when fishing slow with finesse baits. I reapply every 25–30 casts or after a hookup. Use it on ned rigs, texas rigs, and chatterbaits to turn taps into thumps.

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Buy BaitFuel Attractant Gel

The Original Fish Formula Bait-Pop Live Sonar Intensifier

Best For: Bass and Crappie/Panfish with Forward-Facing Sonar

Bait-Pop not only adds scent—it enhances your bait’s visibility on live sonar. I use it on jighead minnows, swimbaits, and jerkbaits mainly. Bait-Pop also consists of the original fish formula scent from back in the day, so it’s also an excellent fish attractor and bite-getter as well as helping with forward-facing sonar visibility. This is a must-have when targeting suspended crappie or bass with forward-facing electronics.

Buy The Original FIsh Formula Bait-Pop Live Sonar Intensifier 

How to Use Fish Attractant

  • Apply lightly: A small line or dab per side is enough. More is not better.
  • Reapply often: Refresh scent every 20–40 casts or after each fish.
  • Match scent to forage: Use scent designed to mimic the natural forage of the body of water you’re fishing.
  • Keep gear clean: Wipe hands after applying so you don’t scent your line or gear.
  • Store smart: Keep bottles upright and cool to avoid leaks or spoilage.

Quick Reference: Best Attractants by Species

  • Crappie & Panfish: Berkley PowerBait on micro tubes and hair jigs
  • Bass: BaitFuel or Spike-It on soft plastics and jigs
  • Salmon/Steelhead: Pro-Cure on spoons, plugs, jigs, or beads
  • Steelhead (rivers): BorX O Fire cured eggs in bags
  • Live sonar fishing: Bait-Pop to brighten sonar return and add scent

Final Thoughts

Scent turns curiosity into commitment. The right attractant can make the difference between a short swipe and a full-blown strike. Whether you’re curing roe for steelhead, enhancing sonar visibility, or just trying to get finicky crappie to hang on, the attractants above deliver. Choose based on your species, presentation style, and conditions—and fish with confidence.

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