Smell and Taste

As with humans, the senses of smell and taste are closely connected in fish. They have two pairs of nostrils that channel water over internal organs which sense or smell the environment.

All species have taste buds around the mouth. Carp and catfish also have specialized sense organs called barbels (the whiskers) located near the mouth. Members of the catfish family have additional taste buds distributed over the body surface.

Fish are well-equipped to detect unnatural odors and tastes in their environment. They react negatively to the unfamiliar. Odors associated with humans almost always repel them. A minnow dropped through a pool of boat-side gasoline stands little chance of attracting a fish. Handle baits with care and as little as possible.

The angler can take advantage of scent and taste in two basic ways: by adding scent to a lure in order to entice fish into biting and mouthing a bait for a longer period, or by masking repulsive odors associated with humans or with a recently caught predator of the target species.

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