IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community

IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Commando on Feb 02, 2010, 09:11 PM

Title: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 02, 2010, 09:11 PM
Anise scent has been used and marketed for years in plastic baits, and for good reason. Last week when the fishing got slow I thought I would employ this attractant to hard water and it's working.
Lately I've been catching alot of fish, 3 to 1 and sometimes skunking my friends completely, using pure Anise Oil on a yellow fly with no bait or just one red spike carefully impaled under the 'eyes' to add some wiggle.  My best bud finally swallowed his pride and asked for some tonight after I went ten up on him in twenty minutes.  I guess the sound of  bull gills flopping in my bucket was to much for him this time. Just a little bit though, too much seems to spook them.  I just brush one side of the fly with a small drop off a toothpick.  Refresh every ten minutes or so.  The fly material holds the scent for quite a while. It was working on my bud's jig also, but he had to refresh more often and wasn't getting the size of fish I was getting with the fly. I got a nice mixed bag tonight of gills, perch, and crappie using that method.  If you want to try it, you can find it near the spice section at any grocery store.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: ice dawg on Feb 02, 2010, 09:22 PM
I put a few drops in my worm bedding and it seems to help in summer too.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: bigmike7272 on Feb 02, 2010, 09:32 PM
Use that stuff for rainbow in the spring talk about amazing
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: JJ on Feb 02, 2010, 09:35 PM
I have good luck with an anise based scent for lakers and landlocks in the past.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: ChickenHammer on Feb 02, 2010, 09:44 PM
where do you find this stuff? in the baking section of a supermarket???
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: bigmike7272 on Feb 02, 2010, 09:52 PM
a bait shop up here has that stuff
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Professor Finessor on Feb 02, 2010, 10:14 PM
I put anise seed in my worm bedding........ :o
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 02, 2010, 10:36 PM
You got that right BigMike!  I soak down yarn balls with it for the steelhead runs and they love it!  It shocks people when I bring in big steelies on waxworms and Anise soaked yarn.  Works very well on nymph patterns for fly fishing also (although the purists out there would be offended by that).  The 'Holy Water' on the Piere Marquette and AuSable has banned the stuff along with any other attractant.

I have a buddy that is currently using finely crushed tortilla chips for his spike and waxworm bedding.  The other day he called me in my shanty to tell me he caught a dozen mexican bluegill.  I didn't know what he was talking about until I caught up with him later.  That's been working for him all winter he said.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: alaskaruss1 on Feb 02, 2010, 10:45 PM
I take it that a little anise oil goes a long ways. I was going to try to soak some bait in anise oil, would that be an over kill ?
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 02, 2010, 10:59 PM
I take it that a little anise oil goes a long ways. I was going to try to soak some bait in anise oil, would that be an over kill ?

Maybe not...I've done it for trout species but that's moving water.  It never hurts to experiment.  However, I have noticed that when I douse my fly I see a noticable reduction in strikes. It's pretty strong stuff. get your hands on some and smell it and you'll see what I mean.  I also like to keep my bait nice and lively all the way down to specific attachment techniques that keep them moving longer and doesn't kill them right away. I'm sure soaking bait would kill it.  But like I said, it never hurts to experiment.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: paulieg on Feb 03, 2010, 06:48 AM
you guys should not have let out the secret on the juice :tipup: :tipup: :tipup:
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: crash430 on Feb 03, 2010, 07:16 AM
anise is great attractant have used it for everything from gills to catfish
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: quivr on Feb 03, 2010, 07:58 AM
OK here it is this is what my Uncle tought me 20 years ago .Take the smallest size Vaseline jar you can find & take 1/2 of the Vaseline out & heat  up what is left, just enough to melt & a little warm. Add Anise oil and let cool, now it is very thick .take this with you Ice fishing or reg fishing it works summer & winter put some on your jig it lasts a very long time. Works very well ,just putting the oil on doesn't last very long by it self 
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: 1cast1catch on Feb 03, 2010, 08:17 AM
I actually put anise seed in my grounds in my coffee machine for a little flavor. After your comments I just put about a teaspoon of the seed in a pyrex bowl with about a teaspoon of water, microwaved for about a minute to release the nutrient/oil from the seed, now I'm gonna mash it all up and I will add some of that to my spike container to see what happens. Can't call it a deadly secret yet, haven't tried it. ....wait, just thought of something. I will be doing a control and an experimental group of spikes.... One without the seed mash and one with. I'll report back. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: bassbull on Feb 03, 2010, 09:04 AM
Have used it on my purist and other plastics for years and it does make the fish take the lure much better!!!!
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: bearbgone on Feb 03, 2010, 09:21 AM
This is for all the cooks on the this board.  ;D

Fishing Bait - 10 Oil Based Formulas


FORMULA 1:
Mix together 5 parts oil of rhodium and 2 parts oil of cumen.

Add 1 part tincture of musk. Stir.

Pour into 1/2 oz. bottles and label.

Put 1 or 2 drops on fish bait to attract fish.

FORMULA 2:

Mix together 2 oz. oil of rhodium, 1/2 oz. tincture of musk, 1 oz. oil of cumen, 1/2 oz. juice of loveageroot.

Make a paste of bread crumbs mixed with shreds of cotton or wool. Pour the oil mixture on top of it and mix well.

Keep in tightly sealed bottles.

Break off a small piece of the cotton/wool mixture and use for bait.

FORMULA 3:

Mix together 1 lb. ground aniseed or fennel seed and 1/4 lb. ground allspice.

Sprinkle 1/8 oz. oil of cloves over the above and mix.

Store in tightly sealed jars for a few days while the odors blend.

Put a drop on fish bait.

FORMULA 4:

Combine 1 oz. gum benzoin and 12 oz. olive oil in a double boiler. Heat for 2 hours.

Remove and let stand for a week. Then strain.

Add 30 drops oil of rhodium and 3 drops oil of patchouli. Use a medicine dropper.

Add 1 1/2 oz. bacon grease or lard oil.

Store this mixture in small bottles. Put 1 or 2 drops on meat bait.

FORMULA 5:

Combine 1/2 oz. oil of rhodium, 1/8 oz. oil of spearmint, 1/2 oz. oil of anise and 1 oz. glycerin.

Use 2 drops on any bait.

FORMULA 6:

Combine pure cod liver oil with some red oil-soluble food coloring. Mix.

Dip any bait into the mixture.

FORMULA 7:

Put a loosely-covered jar of dead worms in a garage, barn or outbuilding.

Wait 10 days or until they have turned to liquid.

Pour off 1/2 oz. of the liquid and mix 20 drops of oil of rhodium with it.

Put a drop or 2 on fish bait.

FORMULA 8:

Take odd pieces of cut-up fish, clams, lead minnows, crawfish and eels and put into a loosely-covered glass jar.

Leave until it turns to oil.

Mix 1 part oil of anise with 5 parts of the fish oil.

Use on fish bait. Especially attracts bottom feeding fish.

FORMULA 9:

Combine 2 oz. cod liver oil with 20 drops oil of anise. Mix well.

Use on bait. Especially attracts trout.

FORMULA 10:

Combine 1/2 oz. oil of rhodium and 1/2 pint olive oil.

Put a drop or two on fish bait.
 
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: eriksat1 on Feb 03, 2010, 11:09 AM
I spray it on my bucktails and have caught plenty of big musky's using it also.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: richstick on Feb 03, 2010, 12:23 PM
I've been wondering what to do with all my extra 'oil of rhodium' THANK GOD FOR THOSE RECIPES!  LOL  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: 1cast1catch on Feb 03, 2010, 06:15 PM
*FOLLOW UP REPORT*

Spikes with anise solution caught 90% large mouth bass

Spikes without, caught 90% bluegill

What was interesting is that I had never caught a largemouth on my tiny panfish jigs (tipped with spike) until I added the anise. Bizarre.

Thanks for the idea.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: surflizard on Feb 03, 2010, 08:12 PM
 We use it on the sucker meat that we put on the bottom for lake trout. I lower the chum pot down the jigging holes and dump it on the bottom. I drop my jig into the bait pile and hang on !! The anise attractant that I use drives the lakers crazy :o We had 5 nice lakers come in last sunday within  2" of my camera. It was just like watching a shark feeding frenzy,they were ramming,slashing and biting each other.We hooked one of them and he had a 4" bite mark on his side. WICKED COOL TO WATCH  :o
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: therealjt on Feb 03, 2010, 11:21 PM
catfish love it mixed with sonnys blood bait in the summer... i use a hole container of the oil
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 05, 2010, 10:28 PM
you guys should not have let out the secret on the juice :tipup: :tipup: :tipup:

K&E did that years ago with the Bass Stopper Worm.  You can't walk through a plastics section with out seeing it marketed on everthing from 10" wacky worms to fake wax worms.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 05, 2010, 10:39 PM
OK here it is this is what my Uncle tought me 20 years ago .Take the smallest size Vaseline jar you can find & take 1/2 of the Vaseline out & heat  up what is left, just enough to melt & a little warm. Add Anise oil and let cool, now it is very thick .take this with you Ice fishing or reg fishing it works summer & winter put some on your jig it lasts a very long time. Works very well ,just putting the oil on doesn't last very long by it self 

Now that's a good idea, thanks
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 05, 2010, 10:46 PM
*FOLLOW UP REPORT*

Spikes with anise solution caught 90% large mouth bass

Spikes without, caught 90% bluegill

What was interesting is that I had never caught a largemouth on my tiny panfish jigs (tipped with spike) until I added the anise. Bizarre.

Thanks for the idea.

That makes  alot of sense.  Anise scent is marketed and used in so many Bass baits.  That's one of the reasons I just put a tiny bit on my ice flies.  Too much seemed to spook the gills but just the right amount made them inhale it. The ice flies I tie are also size 12 to 16, usally small enough to stay off a Largemouth's radar.  Thanks for posting the results. I'm a scientist (environmental) and It's great to get good data, especailly data that supports my hypothesis  ;D  Thanks again
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: alaskaruss1 on Feb 05, 2010, 10:50 PM
OK here it is this is what my Uncle tought me 20 years ago .Take the smallest size Vaseline jar you can find & take 1/2 of the Vaseline out & heat  up what is left, just enough to melt & a little warm. Add Anise oil and let cool, now it is very thick .take this with you Ice fishing or reg fishing it works summer & winter put some on your jig it lasts a very long time. Works very well ,just putting the oil on doesn't last very long by it self 
Approximately what is your ratio of vaseline to anise oil. Just curious on how strong to make it. THANKS
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 08, 2010, 09:09 PM
where do you find this stuff? in the baking section of a supermarket???

Candy making stores, large supermarket chains....look near the spices or baking goods.  The best stuff I've found is at a local candy making supply store.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: SizeMatters on Feb 09, 2010, 05:38 AM
Try a pharmacy counter to get the real deal pure anise oil instead a diluted flavor solution.  Old school drug store instead of a chain. 
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: killer0612 on Feb 09, 2010, 06:35 AM
How does the anise oil work for perch and walleye? anyone know?
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Fishrmn on Feb 09, 2010, 06:39 AM
https://www.lorannoils.com/p-8262-anise-oil-natural.aspx (https://www.lorannoils.com/p-8262-anise-oil-natural.aspx)

Real stuff.  Not just flavoring.

Fishrmn
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Pikefreaky on Feb 09, 2010, 09:30 AM
I love anus oil. I put it on every soft plastic I own.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: geothefisher on Feb 09, 2010, 09:36 AM
I love anus oil. I put it on every soft plastic I own.
And now I think there is not a person in here that will ask you if they can borrow any soft plastics!  :sick:
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Kelly Johnson on Feb 09, 2010, 11:05 AM
I have a bunch of Star Anise at work...just steeped it in oil and low simmer for about 20 minutes, strain and cool.

I used vegetable oil (no flavor) but it's a little thin. I like that vaseline idea to "gum" it up so it sticks!

I gotta say the stuff is STRONG. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it tonight.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Kevin23 on Feb 09, 2010, 11:49 AM
Upper Hand Scents is what I use on all my soft plastics when I sell them on ebay. Its $10 per 4 oz, only 2 drops per 25 baits and it will last forever.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: gbullington on Feb 16, 2010, 05:42 AM
I found a little bottle of anise oil extract at my local super market. Is that the right stuff or is the extract something different ?
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: baginwal on Feb 16, 2010, 09:15 AM
I have used Anise oil on my salmon lures.  I can't say whether the oil, lure or oil and lure caused the strikes, but one thing is for certain, they sure didn't shy away from it ;)
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: DIRTBALL2 on Feb 16, 2010, 10:20 AM
Something I like to do in the spring, before the start of the open water season, Is go out and buy some licorice. I make a couple cut's in the wrapper and put it in the bottom of my tacklebox. Don't know if it help's but it sure can't hurt, eh? ;D DIRTBALL2 ;)
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: dabluz on Feb 16, 2010, 04:14 PM
For one thing, anise does not stink....it just smells like licorice.  Smells much better than my buddies sleeping bag.  He spilt some "doe in heat" scent on it many years ago and still smells bad.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 18, 2010, 07:41 PM
And now I think there is not a person in here that will ask you if they can borrow any soft plastics!  :sick:

Ha  ;D I was thinking the same thing
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 18, 2010, 08:03 PM
How does the anise oil work for perch and walleye? anyone know?

I went out today for perch and was fishing a 12 foot shelf that drops off to 42 feet.  I dubbed a patch of Caddis Green Rabbit Fur on to the base of a 5mm Glow Fiska and used that as my scent pad then tipped th jig with a minnow through the nose or a wiggler through the butt. Worked well for Perch...Left after 3 hours with 34 nice fish. It's a "go to" spot this time of the year any way, but I was definitely catching fish at a faster rate than my buddies.  Plus, that oil sticks around for a while, other fish may have been holding under me just a tick longer.

I don't know about Walleye.  The only time I really fish for them is in the river, the inland lakes around me (southwest MI, nothwest IN) don't sustain good enough populations to ice fish for them (for me anyway, I need action).  I know guys that do, and a good day for them is one fish, you're a stud if you get two or three in a week.  The DNR has recently stocked many lakes with juvenile walleye so we'll see in a few years. I do use it in the river though and it works well then...I usually dub some yarn on the sinker of my Lindy Rig and soak it down. 
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 18, 2010, 08:09 PM
I have used Anise oil on my salmon lures.  I can't say whether the oil, lure or oil and lure caused the strikes, but one thing is for certain, they sure didn't shy away from it ;)

I agree %100. I fish the Piere Marquette during spawn and I use it on yarn balls and and streamers and they take well to it.  I have actually watched them check out my streamer and then shy away and avoid it....scent it up with oil and three casts later the same fish is checking it out again and then BAM, fish on.  Same with Steelhead.   
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Mahoney on Feb 21, 2010, 08:34 AM
You can get pure anise oil from a good trap supply dealer. Beware this is a concentrate oil. And as mentioned about a stinky sleeping bag above it also make that fish rag in your shanty smell better.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Lobes on Feb 21, 2010, 09:50 AM
I have used anise extract before but it's usually 60% - 70% alcohol. You need to apply it on something and let the alcohol evaporate before it's put in with your bait or you will kill all of your bait. There are times when fish DON'T want it though so make sure you have some bait with you that's untreated.

                                         :tipup:
NBG
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: jeffro9023 on Feb 25, 2010, 11:18 PM
fished for some gills this week and boy they were finicky so i punted and tried some anise oil...my observation (i use an aqua vu) was this : it didnt put them into a feeding frenzy but the takers really took...meaning without the oil they were pecking before taking with the oil they were comin up slow and suckin it right in...could be coincidence? im not gona say i wont leave home without it but itll be in my bucket just in case...hopefully ill get another controlled study before ice out
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: Commando on Feb 25, 2010, 11:59 PM
fished for some gills this week and boy they were finicky so i punted and tried some anise oil...my observation (i use an aqua vu) was this : it didnt put them into a feeding frenzy but the takers really took...meaning without the oil they were pecking before taking with the oil they were comin up slow and suckin it right in...could be coincidence? im not gona say i wont leave home without it but itll be in my bucket just in case...hopefully ill get another controlled study before ice out

I see the same thing alot on my aqua vu.  I've seen (I'm sure you have too) crappie inhale and spit out a fly or jig in milliseconds.  It never ceeses to amaze me how fast they can do that. But when I use the oil, the takers seem to hold on long enough to make my spring tip move. Same thing with bluegill, I've seen the takers just inhale it with the scent added to the fly where before they were just feeling it out. Of course it also helps to cover the hook tip with a spike. I have seen the feeding frenzy also, and that's a good time when there's a bull just waiting on screen for your fly to get back down there. Thanks for the feedback, I've been doing well with it and I'm glad someone else put a few more on the ice.
Title: Re: Anise oil is Magic
Post by: river_scum on Feb 27, 2010, 07:56 AM
i make a vegetable oil, salt, and anise mix, to dip my cut baits in for cats.  bites do come faster with it than without, thats for sure. chunk of black liquorish mite work too, never know?

great thread