Perch are known to have a keen sense of smell and are attracted to various scents in the water. Garlic scent is one scent that many anglers have found success with when targeting perch. The strong aroma of garlic can be very enticing to these fish and can help to attract them to your bait.
I have personally experienced success using garlic-scented jigging waxies for perch and panfish. Waxies, or wax worms, are a popular bait for perch, and adding a garlic scent to them can make them even more appealing to the fish. The garlic scent is infused into the waxies, creating a strong aroma that can attract perch from a distance.
One of the reasons why garlic scent can be effective for perch is that it helps to mask any unnatural or unwanted odors that may be present in the water. For example, if there is an oil film on the surface of the water due to a gas auger or other factors, the garlic scent can help to cover up that smell and make the bait more attractive to the fish. This can be particularly useful when fishing in areas where there is a lot of boat or angler activity, which can sometimes deter fish.
Garlic scent can also enhance the attractiveness of the bait by adding a natural scent that perch are accustomed to. Garlic is a scent that is commonly found in the natural environment, such as in decaying vegetation or other food sources for perch. By adding this familiar scent to your bait, you are essentially mimicking the natural food sources that perch are accustomed to, which can increase your chances of getting a bite.
When using garlic-scented bait for perch, it is important to remember that scent alone is not enough to guarantee success. It is still important to present your bait in a way that is appealing to the fish and to use the right techniques for targeting perch. This may involve using a jigging motion to imitate the movement of prey or adjusting your presentation based on the preferences of the fish on that particular day.
Perch are known to be attracted to various scents in the water, and garlic scent can be particularly effective for enticing these fish. The strong aroma of garlic can help to mask unwanted odors and mimic natural food sources, making your bait more appealing to perch. However, it is important to remember that scent alone is not enough, and proper presentation and technique are still crucial for success.