Our featured Sponsor for April is Mr. Goop

John Hudnell Sr. is backing up his beliefs. The founder of Mr. Goop Fish Formula, this month's Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation featured sponsor, understands the value of the federation firsthand. He is a longtime member of the Florida Federation, and will represent his state at the Southern Divisional at Santee Cooper, S.C. later this year. While many anglers participate in federation events across the country and internationally, Hudnell feels it is important to give to the federation as well. To that end, he has sponsored the Virginia Federation for 3 years.

For the uninitiated, Mr. Goop Fish Formula is a thick gel scent attractant produced in both garlic and anise flavors. While there are certainly other scents on the market that may invite fish to hold on to a lure longer, Mr. Goop Fish Formula is formulated to stay on the bait longer than other products. Hudnell says that is "not good for sales, but saves the fisherman money." It can't be too bad for sales, though, since he says Mr. Goop Fish Formula has experienced 100% return business, a percentage virtually unheard of in any industry.

The need for Mr. Goop Fish Formula was discovered by accident. Hudnell was fishing with a friend who used an aerosol scent and, unfortunately, was standing downwind when his friend tried to scent his bait. Hudnell got a face full of a mist that was less than pleasurable to the nose, and shortly thereafter decided to create a more partner-friendly means of scenting lures.

The name of the product is derived from the "M" in Hudnell's nickname (Mark), and the "R" from his partner Ronnie's name. Hudnell's son, Mark, also an avid fisherman, described the compound as "goopy." Thus the name "M-R Goop" was born. Hudnell himself gradually came to be known as "Mr. Goop" and the product's name evolved accordingly.

Hudnell admits scent may not be a critical factor at all times, but notes that when fishing is tough, or when a fishery is exceptionally pressured, it can make a world of difference. Most of an added scent's value, he adds, is in masking human odors on lures. With respect to his choice of flavors, Hudnell has conferred with "a well known bass biologist" who believes that, while garlic is not natural to a bass' environment, it is non-offensive to them, and they strike garlic-doused baits out of curiosity. The biologist claims anise is the only organic plant material known to attract fish.

When asked under what conditions his scents should be used, Hudnell states that in extensive testing, fish seemed to prefer the garlic flavor in temperatures under 64 degrees, and the anise at temperatures above 64 degrees. He is quick to add, however, that if the bite stops on one scent, sometimes a switch to the other can stimulate feeding activity.

In addition to sponsoring the B.A.S.S. Federation, Mr. Goop Fish Formula also sponsors several touring professional anglers. Additionally, Hudnell says several top pros secretly use his scent (and even more quietly credit it for their success), but cannot talk about it because of sponsor conflicts.

Finally, Mr. Goop Fish Formula plans to introduce a new scent product later this year, comprised largely of the pheromones and amino acids of wild baitfish. As he previously did with his other two scents, Hudnell is putting the new one through rigorous testing before placing it on the market.

Anglers interested in purchasing Mr. Goop Fish Formula, or in obtaining more information, can contact John at the following:

John M. Hudnell Sr. (Mr. Goop)
2001 State Team Member
Florida B.A.S.S. State Federation
www.mrgoop.com
john@mrgoop.com
(813) 626-0362

John is also a member of the Bass Warriors of Hillsborough County Florida