It Just Makes Scents
By: Andrew Buss
By: Andrew Buss
I’ve never met an angler who didn’t agree that scent can draw more strikes. I’ve read countless articles highlighting professionals testifying to this and have discussed it with local fishermen. So, why don’t fishermen apply scent more often to their soft plastics?
As an angler, I have always thought scent was a good thing and have even bought several types, but I hardly ever applied it. Luckily, there’s an easy remedy available today.
In 2008 I got my hands on some Komodo Dragon Tournament Poured Plastics and my approach to soft plastics changed. Scent now plays a huge role in my approach and my catch rate has increased dramatically.
Komodo Dragon baits are loaded with scent. The scent is mixed into the plastic, so I don’t have to continuously re-apply. In fact, I have found baits laying on the deck of my boat for over a week and still have a strong odor. It also won’t stain carpet. But best of all, it works.
As an angler, I have always thought scent was a good thing and have even bought several types, but I hardly ever applied it. Luckily, there’s an easy remedy available today.
In 2008 I got my hands on some Komodo Dragon Tournament Poured Plastics and my approach to soft plastics changed. Scent now plays a huge role in my approach and my catch rate has increased dramatically.
Komodo Dragon baits are loaded with scent. The scent is mixed into the plastic, so I don’t have to continuously re-apply. In fact, I have found baits laying on the deck of my boat for over a week and still have a strong odor. It also won’t stain carpet. But best of all, it works.
Owner of Komodo Dragon Tournament Poured Plastics, Brett Nihart, poses with a 5-pound largemouth caught with one of his baits.
I was completely sold the summer of 2008 after an MBA tournament on Gun Lake near Kalamazoo, Michigan. My partner and I had struck out after three hours of action on the main lake and headed for the docks. I tossed Komodo Dragon stix while my partner tossed senkos. At the end of the day, on my way to a win, I had twelve keeper bites while he had only four.
Most consider dock fishing a reaction bite pattern, and I had always thought so as well. But that day, and many subsequent days, I got fish to bite under docks which were not reacting. Several times, my partner had cast under a pontoon boat seconds before me. After casting, my stix was literally within feet of his bait. He worked his bait, what I call, average speed, while I soaked mine for several seconds before twitching. The results speak for themselves.
After reflection, it just made sense, those fish couldn’t resist the scent.
Most consider dock fishing a reaction bite pattern, and I had always thought so as well. But that day, and many subsequent days, I got fish to bite under docks which were not reacting. Several times, my partner had cast under a pontoon boat seconds before me. After casting, my stix was literally within feet of his bait. He worked his bait, what I call, average speed, while I soaked mine for several seconds before twitching. The results speak for themselves.
After reflection, it just made sense, those fish couldn’t resist the scent.
Jason Horvath (left) and Chuck Lee (right) of South Bend, Indiana, won the Komodo Dragon Open Tournament on April 26, 2009. They bested 31 teams with 8 pounds, 4 ounces. The event paid back 100% and provided free Komodo Dragon baits for all participants.Owner of Komodo Dragon, Brett Nihart, hasn’t made public what makes up his scent, but reveals it is a combination of five separate ingredients. The smell of anise oil is obviously apparent, but garlic is also detectable. Nihart admits, “Anise oil and garlic are the prime ingredients, making up 50%. But the scent isn’t complete without the other three ingredients.”
Scent is not the only advantage of Komodo Dragon baits, they are also hand-poured. Nihart explains the advantage, “Hand-poured baits are naturally softer, plus, it makes it possible to custom make baits for my customers.”
Scent is not the only advantage of Komodo Dragon baits, they are also hand-poured. Nihart explains the advantage, “Hand-poured baits are naturally softer, plus, it makes it possible to custom make baits for my customers.”
A big draw to Komodo Dragon baits is the willingness Nihart exerts to create custom colors and even scents. “I will do what my customers ask me to do. I have sixty colors, but will make any color they are seeking. I will also add a different scent if they request it.”
With sixty colors in stock, Nihart does not normally need to experiment much to come up with a specific request, “Normally, I already have the recipe requested, so it’s little work. But when I need to be creative, I will work a recipe until it exacts the request.” He has at his disposal over eighty sizes and colors of glitter and twenty-eight dyes to create the perfect concoction.
With sixty colors in stock, Nihart does not normally need to experiment much to come up with a specific request, “Normally, I already have the recipe requested, so it’s little work. But when I need to be creative, I will work a recipe until it exacts the request.” He has at his disposal over eighty sizes and colors of glitter and twenty-eight dyes to create the perfect concoction.
“Often what I find from customers is they want the production color of another bait. For example, there may be a color Zoom carries for a finesse worm that somebody wants for a brush hog, but can’t find. I have that mold, and will make that color for that bait.”In 2010 Komodo Dragon will offer in soft plastic: toads, flippin dawg (4" & 6"), soft jerkbait, stix (4" & 6"), jig trailer, tubes (4"), trick worms, and reapers.
Komodo Dragon also offers a topwater bait, the Agitator. This 2.5 inch popper style bait has a great walk-the-dog action (best with a Rapala knot) and has a rattle that can be heard from a long distance. The Agitator is available in Ghost Minnow, Ghost Shad, Firetiger, American Shad, Chrome with Black Back, and Chrome with Blue Back.
In a tournament on Lake Webster in 2009, I landed multiple fish on the Agitator, including a five pound, two ounce beast. My partner, on the other hand, experimented with multiple popper baits and failed to land a single fish.
Dave Bowman, who operates the hard baits for Komodo Dragon, points out another advantage of the Agitator, “Pay attention to the tail (Komodo Dragon hand ties feathers on the back hook). The long feather tail we use is going to catch more fish.” The hand-tied feathers are also available for purchase.
Above, Dave Bowman poses with 2 huge smallmouth taken on Komodo Dragon baits.
Komodo Dragon also offers spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. These baits are available in ¼, 3/8, ½, ounce sizes. Skirts and blades can be custom designed with the following materials: Colorado and willow blades in chartreuse, silver, gold, and white colors; skirts are available in blue fox, chartreuse with silver flake, white/chartreuse, black, chartreuse, and blue/green.
Bowman reveals the motivation behind Komodo Dragon baits: “Several years ago I was fishing on Lake Webster with [Nihart] and had a musky take my fourteen dollar pop-r away forever. I was already tired of the price increase for baits; this annoyed me even further. Shortly thereafter, Brett and I figured we could make our own, just as good, for cheaper.” He emphasizes, “Our first passion is fishing, and our business goal is to make good tackle at affordable prices.”
“We’re not looking to get rich out of this; and this won’t be replacing our day jobs. But if we can help out anglers by providing good tackle that is light on the wallet, and that is something we feel good about.”
“We’re not looking to get rich out of this; and this won’t be replacing our day jobs. But if we can help out anglers by providing good tackle that is light on the wallet, and that is something we feel good about.”
Nihart (left) poses with 2 monster smallmouth taken from a lake in Northern Michigan. He fooled them with his own baits. The creators of Komodo Dragon have had success with their baits on a wide range of lakes. "I'm a slow fisherman. I fish my baits slowly."
Bowman (right) admits, "I am fussy on the finished look," with his baits. He feels he needs to be. If an angler wants to fool a 4-pound smallmouth (pictured) the presentation must be perfect.Komodo Dragon also offers custom built rods. Bowman began making rods years ago as a hobby, and has steadily gained a solid reputation for quality work. He points out the advantage to custom built rods: “You can personalize them anyway you want. Color scheme with cork, thread, and the rod; plus, handles, length, action, are all characteristics you can make unique for your own personal taste and fishing style.” He also adds, “Factory rods have spines in the blanks (this is the point where the rods bend best) and it is not uncommon on baitcasting rods to see the guides not lined up perfectly with the spine. When this happens, the rod may slip when setting the hook.” This is avoided with custom rods.
All rods are complimented with Fuji guides, unless requested otherwise. Blanks are ordered per request also. But Bowman advises, “When ordering a custom rod, it is best to have a conversation to discuss the many options. Our customers deserve to get what they order, and I want to avoid any surprises.”
All rods are complimented with Fuji guides, unless requested otherwise. Blanks are ordered per request also. But Bowman advises, “When ordering a custom rod, it is best to have a conversation to discuss the many options. Our customers deserve to get what they order, and I want to avoid any surprises.”
A custom built rod’s average cost is between $140-160, but this is largely dependent on the blank and other choices. “The rate we charge is $7.50 per foot. This is cheaper than all of our local competition.” Ordering specific parts may take upwards of a week, but it takes less than a week to fully assemble, “I can normally put a rod together in a weekend. Bowman will also perform rod maintenance and repairs, “I can replace tips, guides, and fix broken rods.”
Komodo Dragon baits are available at Parker’s Central Park Bait & Tackle in South Bend, Indiana. But to take full advantage of custom colors, anglers are encouraged to order directly from the R & B Bass Circuit tournament directors Andy Buss and Kevin Rybicki. Send the tournament directors all orders via email and they will arrange the purchase and delivery of all tackle. To view soft and hard Komodo Dragon baits, view the CATALOG. To pursue a custom rod, contact Andy Buss via email.
Nihart concludes, “Get personal with your baits. You have the opportunity to get anything you want, anyway you want it.” Now that makes a lot of sense.
The 5 pound, 2 ounce smallmouth (above) won the Big Bass Award at the MATS Classic on Gull Lake, Michigan, in October 2008. The fish was caught on a Komodo Dragon tube.
"Get personal with your baits." Nihart advises. Few people are as picky as bass fishermen. Now Michiana anglers have an avenue to personalize their primary weapons. To place an order, send an email to Andy Buss or Kevin Rybicki. Be specific: consider color, flake size, and scent.
Agitator
Click on image to enlarge.
The 5-pound, 2-ounce fish (right) was caught on an Agitator while the 4 1/2 pound fish (left) was caught on a Komodo Dragon stix during a Fulton County Bassmaster's open tournament on Webster Lake during July 2009.
!!Komodo Dragon Products are no longer available to the public!!