Best Herring Fishing Attractants of 2025

Paul Tilton Avatar
Paul Tilton
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

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Herring Fishing Attractants are a popular tool used by fishermen to lure herring into their nets. These attractants are made from a variety of natural and synthetic ingredients, such as fish oils, amino acids, and pheromones. They are designed to mimic the scent and taste of herring, making it more likely for the fish to approach the bait. Herring Fishing Attractants come in a variety of forms, including sprays, oils, and pellets, and can be used in both fresh and saltwater environments. Overall, these products are a valuable asset for fishermen looking to increase their catch and improve their success on the water.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Berkley Gulp! Alive!® Attractant Cover #TOP 1
Berkley Gulp! Alive!® Attractant
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Pro-Cure Herring Super Gel Cover #TOP 2
Pro-Cure Herring Super Gel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Atlas Mike's Lunker Spray 2-Pack Cover #TOP 3
Atlas Mike's Lunker Spray 2-Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Herring Fishing Attractants

#TOP 1

Berkley Gulp! Alive!® Attractant

GSP8-HR
Herring
8 Ounces
Berkley Gulp! Alive!® Attractant Cover
Berkley Gulp! Alive!® Attractant, Herring

This Fishing Attractant features herring and comes in an 8-ounce convenient spray bottle. The Gulp! Alive! Attractant can attract fish with its smell and keep them hooked with its taste. You can control the application with the bottle's stream or spray settings.

What We Like
Easy to apply with a convenient spray bottle
Can attract fish with its smell and keep them hooked with its taste
Features herring, a popular bait for many types of fish
#TOP 2

Pro-Cure Herring Super Gel

Pro-Cure
G2-HER
White
2 Ounce
Pro-Cure Herring Super Gel Cover
Pro-Cure Herring Super Gel, 2 Ounce,White

Pro-Cure Herring Gel is a top-quality fishing attractant that is made from 100 percent real bait. It is packed with amino acids and enhanced with UV technology. This gel is not only super sticky and strong, but also incredibly effective in attracting fish. Whether you are using live bait or artificial bait, Pro-Cure Herring Gel is a great addition to your fishing gear. The UV enhancement helps to make your bait more visible in the water, while the amino acids act as a powerful attractant. The super stickiness ensures that the gel stays on your bait for longer, increasing its effectiveness. With Pro-Cure Herring Gel, you can expect to catch more fish and have a successful fishing trip.

What We Like
Made from real bait
UV enhanced
Packed with amino acids

Atlas Mike's Lunker Spray 2-Pack

orange & blue
Atlas Mike's Lunker Spray 2-Pack Cover
Atlas Mike's Lunker Spray 2oz, 2-Pack - Herring & Shrimp Fishing Bait Attractant - Boost Your Fishing Success | Ideal for Freshwater & Saltwater Anglers

Atlas Mike's Lunker Spray is designed to enhance your fishing success with its enticing Herring and Shrimp scents, suitable for both freshwater and saltwater. With over 40 years of expertise, this attractant ensures you’re using proven scents that fish love. It works effectively on various lures, baits, and tackle, making it a versatile addition to your fishing gear. By coating your lures with this spray, you increase the likelihood of fish holding onto them longer, which boosts your chances of landing that big catch. This convenient 2-pack ensures you have plenty of attractant for your fishing adventures.

What We Like
Effective fish attractant
Versatile for all lures
Long-lasting scent
User-friendly application
#TOP 4

Pro-Cure Herring Fish Oil

Pro-Cure
WS-HER
multicolor
4 Ounce
Pro-Cure Herring Fish Oil Cover
Pro-Cure Herring Water Soluble Fish Oil, 4 Ounce

Pro-Cure Fish Oil is designed to enhance your fishing experience. It quickly disperses in the water, making it easier for fish to detect the scent. This product creates a strong scent trail that attracts fish from a distance, increasing your chances of a successful catch. Additionally, its UV enhancement helps the oil stand out in various water conditions, making it more effective. With these features, you can enjoy a more productive fishing trip and potentially reel in more fish.

What We Like
Instant water penetration
Strong scent attraction
UV enhancement
Improves fishing success
#TOP 5

Atlas Mike's Anise Herring Lunker Lotion Fish Attractant

6538
Blue
4 oz
Atlas Mike's Anise Herring Lunker Lotion Fish Attractant Cover
Atlas Mike's Anise Herring Lunker Lotion Fish Attractant for Fishing Bait, Blue, 4 Ounce

Atlas Mike's Fish Attractant is a high-quality and high-performance product designed for both amateur and professional anglers. Its extreme scents are effective for all types of fish, making it a versatile option for both fresh and saltwater fishing. The sticky formula of this attractant lasts longer and stays on the lure longer, which means you can use less of it. This not only saves you money but also makes it more convenient to use. The fresh and live scent of this attractant drives more savage and aggressive strikes, increasing your chances of a successful catch. It comes in an easy-to-dispense, mess-free 4 oz. flip-top bottle, ensuring hassle-free application. With Atlas Mike's Fish Attractant, you can enhance your fishing experience and increase your chances of reeling in a big one.

What We Like
High-quality and high-performance
Effective for all types of fish
Lasts longer and stays on the lure longer
#TOP 6

Pro-Cure Herring Bait Oil

Pro-Cure
B8-HER
yellow
8 Ounce
Pro-Cure Herring Bait Oil Cover
Pro-Cure Herring Bait Oil, 8 Ounce, yellow

Pro-Cure Herring Bait Oil is a fishing attractant made from 100% real bait and enhanced with UV Flash. Its powerful bite stimulants trigger bites and it can be marinated or injected into baits.

What We Like
100% real bait
Enhanced with UV Flash
Powerful bite stimulants trigger bites
#TOP 7

Smelly Jelly Extra Thick Herring

Herring
Smelly Jelly Extra Thick Herring Cover
Smelly Jelly Xtra Thick: Herring

Smelly Jelly Herring is designed to enhance your fishing experience with its unique extra thick formula. This sticky liquid stays on your bait longer, allowing the scent to penetrate deeper into the water, attracting fish more effectively. You can apply it to various baits like jigs, worms, or hard baits, increasing your chances of catching that elusive bass. The moment you open the jar, the powerful aroma signals to fish that a meal is nearby. With its easy application in a 4 oz container, you’ll find it convenient to use while out on the water.

What We Like
Long-lasting scent
Attracts more fish
Easy to apply
Versatile for different baits
#TOP 8

Smelly Jelly Pro Guide Herring Salt Attractant

1-Ounce
Smelly Jelly Pro Guide Herring Salt Attractant Cover
Smelly Jelly Pro Guide Herring Salt Attractant, 1-Ounce

Introducing the Smelly Jelly Pro Guide Herring Salt Attractant, a game-changer in the world of fishing attractants. This powerful attractant goes beyond other scents, as it stays on longer and takes the scent below the surface to fish. Whether you're using a jig, worm, or hard bait, this attractant guarantees an unforgettable experience with bass that won't let go. With a variety of scents to choose from, you can find your favorite and witness the increased number of bites it produces. The moment you open a jar, the irresistible smell is undeniable, making it impossible for fish to resist. Say goodbye to attractants that don't stick – this stuff really stays on your lures, ensuring a successful fishing trip every time.

What We Like
Long-lasting scent
Effective on various baits
Wide range of scents
#TOP 9

Smelly Jelly Sticky Liquid Herring Attractant

Herring
4-Ounce
Smelly Jelly Sticky Liquid Herring Attractant Cover
Smelly Jelly Sticky Liquid Herring Attractant, 4-Ounce

The Smelly Jelly Sticky Liquid Herring Attractant is a liquid formula that comes in a squeeze bottle, making it easy and clean to apply to your lure. The jelly will stick to whatever you apply it to and will last. It is suitable for any soft plastic lure and hard baits. When fish bite, they tend to hold on longer due to the scent. It is available in scents for any game fish.

What We Like
Easy and clean to apply
Suitable for any soft plastic lure and hard baits
Can make fish hold on longer due to the scent
#TOP 10

PAUTZKE'S Fire Gel Herring 1.75 OZ

PFGEL/HERR
Herring
1.75 OZ
PAUTZKE'S Fire Gel Herring 1.75 OZ Cover
PAUTZKE'S Fire Gel PFGEL/HERR, Herring 1.75 OZ

PAUTZKE'S Fire Gel is designed to help you catch more fish with its powerful scent. This innovative product lets you easily apply it to your favorite bait or lure, increasing your chances of success. The extra strong formula is effective even in challenging fishing conditions, ensuring that you attract fish when it matters most. With its professional-grade strength, this gel works well on various fishing tackle, making it a versatile addition to your fishing gear. Experience the difference it can make on your next fishing trip!

What We Like
Powerful fish-attracting scent
Easy application
Effective in tough conditions
Versatile for various tackle
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best bait for catching herring?

When the herring turn up in big numbers the surface of the water bubbles with them. Just about any small bait will work – including pieces of squid, prawn, pilchard and whitebait – while maggots are another popular bait in some areas.

2. What is the best scent to attract fish?

This gives you an advantage of being able to get a good hook set and catching the fish. Three scents that appear to be positive scents are salt, anise, and garlic.

3. Does garlic scent attract fish?

Garlic: This is another one that has anecdotal evidence that it attracts fish or at the very least neutralizes odors that can repel fish. I guess it is worth a try if you happen to have some garlic around on your boat. It might be a good way to get the smell of sun screen or bug spray off of your hands.

4. Is herring a good bait for fishing?

Herring as Bait Being an oily fish which releases plenty of scent herring makes a good sea fishing bait. They can be used whole for large species such as conger eels or strip of herring can be used as a bait for smaller species or to tip off other baits. Read more on the page on herring as a sea fishing bait.

Editor's Notes

During our herring fishing attractant research, we found 24 herring fishing attractant products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,047 customer reviews through our big data system to write the herring fishing attractants list. We found that most customers choose herring fishing attractants with an average price of $14.82.

The herring fishing attractants are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of herring fishing attractants, including Berkley, Pro-Cure, Atlas Mike's, Smelly Jelly, PAUTZKE'S. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Paul Tilton Avatar

Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.