Pro-Cure Suggestions

[wicklundrh]

We have been using pro-cure for about a year now. My walleye tournament partner as well as our sister boat have been testing it.

By testing, I do not mean simply applying the stuff and seeing if it works. We have been going about it systematically.

We are specifically utilizing it on spoons and crank baits targeting walleyes. We utilize it both in populated areas with concentrations of walleyes (currently already catching) as well as areas were we are marking smaller numbers of fish and not taking many hits. Primarily, we are trying to see if it ups our catch rate or hit rate in high population areas or nets us fish we are missing or failing to bite.

Here is what we found:

In areas where we were taking fish, we took our best bait, put a second one out and added Pro-Cure (several different scents to choose from). They had been hitting this particular color bait at a rate of 3-1 over other offerings. In theory, you would hope that the Pro-Cure doped bait would increase catch ratios over the same identicle bait (producing high numbers). In the real world however, this was NOT the case. Bit rate didn't increase. In fact, it continued at the rate of the other colored bait offerings with the number one bait still outcatching at a rate of 3 to 1 over the identicle pro-cure doped bait.

In areas were we were not taking many fish, it was hard to set a specific color or depth. The fish were being taken throughout the column and you had to put the bait in front of the fish in order for them to hit it. We Pro-cured several different baits and ran them at different depths on one particular side of the boat. They did NOT outcatch the other side of the boat. It didn't deminish our catch rate (like with the above test) but it certainly didn't increase it either. In other words, it was a wash. Speaking of WASH however...

Here is what we found during our testing that provided way more information. One of the things we learned during testing (came from Mark Romanack) was the importance of "Washing" your baits. Originally, we were under the impression that this would aid us in getting the crap off of our lures. After further investigation, what Mark eluded to was this: "Ever wonder why a certain bait will get hit several times and then go dead"? What they found was that fish put their own breath so to speak on the lures. Eventually, that smell (whatever it may be) becomes un appealing. Put another identicle bait out and it starts getting hit but the original is dead.

They started testing the theory that washing your baits in between catches might help with this.

Both myself and our sister boat began carrying a small plastic wash tub in our boat. We utilized Lemon Scented Joy dish soap. We filled the tub with water, put in the dish soap, and utilized a scrub brush.

What we found in the first test was when we removed the bait with pro-cure, scrubbed off the stuff with soap, and returned it to the water, it began to catch fish at the same rate as the other bait (3-1). We got in to the habit of washing EVERY bait prior to putting it in the water and again after every time we pulled a fish with it (regarless of species). What we found was that it increased our catch rates across the board on all baits.

So, although we didn't see any improvements (not even minute in significance) we did find that "Removing" scent (man made, human, or fish related) produced MORE fish than a bait out of the box or doped up with scent.

[bandchaser]

Crappie/Perch/Panfish - Freshwater Species - Target Species | PRO-CURE

Has anyone ever used this stuff? If so, I'm thinking of doing the Garlic Minnow. Thoughts?

Too many variables in your opportunity. Nibbles have worked for us from Ky Lake and Lake Barkley to Grenada, MS. Chartreuse is the only color that we use. It still takes the right color jig, and tube color combination to get bit. You could be fishing underneath them or too far above them. Then your jig presentation could be too fast or too slow for what they want on that day.
Now, take all of these situations and it can get complex quick! No sauce, syrup, salts, sprays, creams, acne preventer, secret scents or voo doo is going to replace ole fashion getting in your tackle box, understand the environment and conditions that day, and just get to work!
That's why this sport is so fun, intriguing fascinating and stressful, just trying to figure them out on that day.

Good luck and tight lines!

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