Color, no rhyme or reason. 2024
Spankey reply :
Water conditions on the river has put me on the lake the last few weeks. Big storms moving in again and might keep me there a few more I guess. No complaints, catching some green fish all is good.
Sunday once i found them and found what they wanted I was catching them on gizzard shad Crankbait patterns. Lake has them it all makes sense and a no brainer to tie on what you have.
Yesterday I got right back on that spot and figured I'd pick up right where I left off. Not so fast, not so easy. Fish were there could put me on my small finder. I threw everything I thought would make sense and managed a runt on a dropshot set up.
I got off of that spot for awhile and tried to get another plan together. I thought why not just tie on the opposite colors of the Crankbaits I was throwing. Dug out some Bombers and Bandits in black, brown and purple (good river colors). Got back in there and got two nice fat 2 1/2 lb fish. Granted no state or lake record but respectable fish. What does color really mean?????? I'm no expert when it comes to that for sure. Have a high confidence level on a few patterns I throw. But, I chalk it up to never give up than anything. I was just not ready to go home.
deep reply :
They like to bite what they like to bite; and sometimes the color doesn't matter.
My biggest pet peeve is the "fact" that apparently you need to fish something that the fish can "see". Bunch of nonsense. Even if they can't see your bait, they can feel it. If they want, they'll come and find it. Anyway, I've never seen a black and blue baitfish, in muddy water or otherwise.
I fish colors I have confidence in, because I've caught fish on them. I don't change colors depending on water color or weather conditions. I change colors when the fish tell me to. Works for me.
A-Jay reply :
On 7/5/2018 at 9:41 PM, deep said:They like to bite what they like to bite; and sometimes the color doesn't matter.
My biggest pet peeve is the "fact" that apparently you need to fish something that the fish can "see". Bunch of nonsense. Even if they can't see your bait, they can feel it. If they want, they'll come and find it. Anyway, I've never seen a black and blue baitfish, in muddy water or otherwise.
I fish colors I have confidence in, because I've caught fish on them. I don't change colors depending on water color or weather conditions. I change colors when the fish tell me to. Works for me.
Agreed ~
I am forever selecting baits (both hard & soft) that 'Match & Blend In' with the color of the bottom and or the cover. All while fishing some very clear water. Why ? Well not that Bright Colors don't routinely produce in clear water, because we all know they most certainly do. Mostly because it's what 'I think' works more often and for bigger fish. So as is always referred to here, the confidence may be what gets the bites as much as the color.
A-Jay
Log Catcher reply :
I believe at times color does make a difference. I saw an article years ago about color choices. For soft plastics if the water has decent visibility and the sun is out use watermelon seed colors. If it is cloudy go with green pumpkin. There seems to be some merit to this. I was catching fish pretty good one time on watermelon seed color. It got cloudy and I couldn't get a bite. I switched to green pumpkin and started catching fish again.
MrFrost reply :
I walked this lake bank on Tuesday, casting a green frog, with a green fading into white belly. Twice got some interest, but wasn't a blow up, more like the fish side swiped at the frog. I walked from left to right and then back left, covering as much water as possible. Nothing. Tied on my yellow frog, with a full yellow belly and had four actual blow ups, that I failed to set the hook on. It was a mix of trying to set it too early, to just not getting it hooked. Finally set the hook on the fifth blow up.
I'm new to this, been fishing less than two months, but this experience alone made me truly understand why so many of you use the term confidence color or confidence bait. Sadly this last guy destroyed my yellow Cabela's Chuck It Frog, so I picked up a Live Target replacement, with a nice yellow into white belly.
scaleface reply :
I have my favorite productive colors that I usually have tied on . If the bass are hitting tentatively or swiping at it not choking it then I start switching colors and actions . Sometimes they are hard to predict .
One time I was hooking up about 90 per cent of the cast . They were taking my crankbait so deep that I was having trouble getting the lures out and spending more time unhookking fish than fishing . I switched colors and action, they didnt take it as deep . I ended up catching more fish because they were so easy to release .
jbmaine reply :
This is my experience with bass.
Some times color, size, shape, presentation, etc. matter, and sometimes not so much. If I could figure out all the particulars to be 100% successful all the time, I'd write a book.
What I do is to try what has, or should work. If no joy I'll start throwing the odd colors and baits.
For example, I have no Idea what a bubble gum colored Senko is supposed to represent, but it's kept me from getting skunked more than once.
WRB reply :
The OP didn't indicate if he changed lure action and diving depth, just mentioned color change. If everything is equal then the darker colors the OP changed to would have produced the 1st outing IMO.
Tom
Catt reply :
From my personal experience
There are times color definitely matters
There are times color doesn't matter at all
I've also had times where I had to constantly change colors to get bit!
BassWhole! reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 12:19 AM, WRB said:The OP didn't indicate if he changed lure action and diving depth, just mentioned color change. If everything is equal then the darker colors the OP changed to would have produced the 1st outing IMO.
Tom
This ^. Unless one fishes the same bait the same way with only the color being different, there is no evidence that color made a difference. I find action, size and profile to be much more important than color most of the time, but I have seen where color matters, but It's a small percentage of the time.
scaleface reply :
I said I changed action and color because I switch baits and the action is rarely the same . A Bandit square bill does not act like a Rapala square bill ... Even lures that are the same model often behave differently .
BassWhole! reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 12:31 AM, Catt said:I've also had times where I had to constantly change colors to get bit!
CrappieResource.com?
Catt reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 3:01 AM, reason said:This ^. Unless one fishes the same bait the same way with only the color being different, there is no evidence that color made a difference. I find action, size and profile to be much more important than color most of the time, but I have seen where color matters, but It's a small percentage of the time.
You would get skunked down here...a lot! ????
WRB reply :
When I am fishing crankbaits like try both dark crawdad and light Shad colors using the same lure to determine what is working better.
I have had good results doing this even at night when I think darker should better and those bass prove me wrong.
Tom
portiabrat reply :
I'll fish the same jerkbait until I lose it (90% of the time, it's because I get bitten off). Often, the baits end up being totally clear except for the head, and it doesn't seem to make a difference.
I have seen color make a big difference with finesse baits, though.
Spankey reply :
On 7/5/2018 at 9:41 PM, deep said:They like to bite what they like to bite; and sometimes the color doesn't matter.
My biggest pet peeve is the "fact" that apparently you need to fish something that the fish can "see". Bunch of nonsense. Even if they can't see your bait, they can feel it. If they want, they'll come and find it. Anyway, I've never seen a black and blue baitfish, in muddy water or otherwise.
I fish colors I have confidence in, because I've caught fish on them. I don't change colors depending on water color or weather conditions. I change colors when the fish tell me to. Works for me.
Why wouldn't I throw baits that match the forage. These are baits that proven themselves time after time.
No disrespect (you are very respected) but you seem to be more hung up more on color then I am.
On 7/5/2018 at 10:04 PM, A-Jay said:Agreed ~
I am forever selecting baits (both hard & soft) that 'Match & Blend In' with the color of the bottom and or the cover. All while fishing some very clear water. Why ? Well not that Bright Colors don't routinely produce in clear water, because we all know they most certainly do. Mostly because it's what 'I think' works more often and for bigger fish. So as is always referred to here, the confidence may be what gets the bites as much as the color.
A-Jay
Exactually why would I throw FireTiger, chartreuse w/ black and blue backs when they don't seem to produce well for me. Why would they be a confidence bait there. On the Big D that would be different.
On 7/5/2018 at 11:35 PM, scaleface said:I have my favorite productive colors that I usually have tied on . If the bass are hitting tentatively or swiping at it not choking it then I start switching colors and actions . Sometimes they are hard to predict .
One time I was hooking up about 90 per cent of the cast . They were taking my crankbait so deep that I was having trouble getting the lures out and spending more time unhookking fish than fishing . I switched colors and action, they didnt take it as deep . I ended up catching more fish because they were so easy to release .
I can't say that I've had a lot of days like you have but I always have tied on what I feel will produce first.
On 7/6/2018 at 12:19 AM, WRB said:The OP didn't indicate if he changed lure action and diving depth, just mentioned color change. If everything is equal then the darker colors the OP changed to would have produced the 1st outing IMO.
Tom
Shape and slight action change. But still able to cover 8-14 foot depth range.
On 7/6/2018 at 12:31 AM, Catt said:From my personal experience
There are times color definitely matters
There are times color doesn't matter at all
I've also had times where I had to constantly change colors to get bit!
Can agree 100%.
On 7/6/2018 at 3:01 AM, reason said:This ^. Unless one fishes the same bait the same way with only the color being different, there is no evidence that color made a difference. I find action, size and profile to be much more important than color most of the time, but I have seen where color matters, but It's a small percentage of the time.
Very possible but I just related it to color. I thought that was the greater difference.
I get hung on certain shad raps I have. Sometime things may start out great. Then it will die off. Why??? No idea. I'll tie on a jointed version of the same Shad rap and pick up a few more fish.
deep reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 7:32 PM, Spankey said:Why wouldn't I throw baits that match the forage. These are baits that proven themselves time after time.
No disrespect (you are very respected) but you seem to be more hung up more on color then I am.
Exactually why would I throw FireTiger, chartreuse w/ black and blue backs when they don't seem to produce well for me. Why would they be a confidence bait there. On the Big D that would be different.
I do believe that all else being equal, color can be a factor, with bigger (adult) fish. I have no way to set up a scientific experiment to prove or disprove this, only personal experiences from being on the water. And even then, not all else were equal I guess.
If a particular color doesn't produce well for you; then don't fish it! Or better yet, try it for a couple casts when you're sticking fish with other colors.
My thoughts on "matching forage" are probably a little unconventional. I know I do not like photorealisitic paintschemes. I prefer certain hues/ shades on my baits, but I'm not particular about how they come together to make a certain paintscheme, if that makes sense. I also prefer my baits to *not* have certain colors. Yellow is a color I don't want on my hardbaits. But a splash of chartreuse or orange is good. I'm weird that way.
Peace.
WRB reply :
So depth range the same makes sense because you caught bass, shape and action change is a big change.
Back in the day I was more serious about catching bass my normal purchase was 6 crabkbaits of the same model and color to determine the best 2 of those and there always is a better producing 2 out of 6 with everything being the same. I did this with every crankbait I used so I knew they worked and exactly how deep they run. Today my tackle boxes are full of lures that catch bass.
Tom
Catt reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 9:51 PM, deep said:I do believe that all else being equal, color can be a factor, with bigger (adult) fish. I have no way to set up a scientific experiment to prove or disprove this, only personal experiences from being on the water
Scientific observation is the central element of scientific method or process. The core skill of scientist is to make observation.
WRB reply :
We don't have control over the activity level of the bass, we do have control over what we use to catch them and color is a choice.
Take a look at Norman lures color chart.
Tom
Spankey reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 9:51 PM, deep said:
I do believe that all else being equal, color can be a factor, with bigger (adult) fish. I have no way to set up a scientific experiment to prove or disprove this, only personal experiences from being on the water. And even then, not all else were equal I guess.
If a particular color doesn't produce well for you; then don't fish it! Or better yet, try it for a couple casts when you're sticking fish with other colors.
My thoughts on "matching forage" are probably a little unconventional. I know I do not like photorealisitic paintschemes. I prefer certain hues/ shades on my baits, but I'm not particular about how they come together to make a certain paintscheme, if that makes sense. I also prefer my baits to *not* have certain colors. Yellow is a color I don't want on my hardbaits. But a splash of chartreuse or orange is good. I'm weird that way.
Peace.
If you are implying that I'm using photo realistics not the case. That doesn't mean matching a forage type. You know ever decent hard bait mfg. makes a version of gizzard Shad, green gizzard Shad, blue back ....herring pattern types.
N Florida Mike reply :
On 7/5/2018 at 10:49 PM, Log Catcher said:I believe at times color does make a difference. I saw an article years ago about color choices. For soft plastics if the water has decent visibility and the sun is out use watermelon seed colors. If it is cloudy go with green pumpkin. There seems to be some merit to this. I was catching fish pretty good one time on watermelon seed color. It got cloudy and I couldn't get a bite. I switched to green pumpkin and started catching fish again.
I do a variation of that. When it's cloudy, watermelon seed seems to produce better in my home lake. when it's sunny, watermelon red is better. Lower light, June bug or black grape seems to be best.
TOXIC reply :
But why........
Catt reply :
On 7/7/2018 at 3:38 AM, TOXIC said:But why........
Merthiolate Trick Worm!
Find that on a color chart ????
A-Jay reply :
On 7/7/2018 at 3:38 AM, TOXIC said:But why........
On 7/7/2018 at 4:29 AM, Catt said:
Merthiolate Trick Worm!
Find that on a color chart ????
I think those are both right next to 'Scuppernog'.
While that color name may be questionable - the color itself is fairly product.
A-Jay
WRB reply :
So the topic is morphing into all colors including soft plastics, I am done.
Tom
Log Catcher reply :
On 7/7/2018 at 2:01 AM, N Florida Mike said:I do a variation of that. When it's cloudy, watermelon seed seems to produce better in my home lake. when it's sunny, watermelon red is better. Lower light, June bug or black grape seems to be best.
I failed to mention that I switched colors using Baby Brush Hogs. Using the exact same bait but different colors. I don't know why but I don't have any luck using watermelon red.
FishTank reply :
When it comes to crankbaits, I like mixed dark colors in shallow water (Ghost minnow) and shinny cranks (American Shad) in deep water.
Of course, my daughter, when she was little, had a pink crankbait that she thought was pretty. Well, her crankbait and Barbie poll would catch one fish after another so my theory is meaningless. I would use whatever you have the most confidence with and try not to over think it.
Spankey reply :
On 7/7/2018 at 5:32 AM, WRB said:So the topic is morphing into all colors including soft plastics, I am done.
Tom
Sorry if anything got out of hand. I sincerely appreciate all comments. Believe me any comments or opinions are by no means a disrespect to any of the guys skill and ability level on this site. Very knowledgeable batch of dudes here. We are all in different parts of the country and under different set of conditions. We all take a different approach.
WRB reply :
On 7/7/2018 at 8:31 PM, Spankey said:Sorry if anything got out of hand. I sincerely appreciate all comments. Believe me any comments or opinions are by no means a disrespect to any of the guys skill and ability level on this site. Very knowledgeable batch of dudes here. We are all in different parts of the country and under different set of conditions. We all take a different approach.
This site has some long and interesting threads on the topic of color and can go on endlessly with debates between those who believe and those who believe in thier own favorites.
Tom
snake95 reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 12:31 AM, Catt said:There are times color doesn't matter at all
I've also had times where I had to constantly change colors to get bit!
I didn't believe that you would ever benefit from constantly changing colors, until it happened to me with TRDs throwing into a school of little bass. They'd turn off a color, then turn right back on when you tossed them a different one. Based on observation: now I'm a believer.
Catt reply :
On 7/7/2018 at 10:22 PM, snake95 said:I didn't believe that you would ever benefit from constantly changing colors, until it happened to me with TRDs throwing into a school of little bass. They'd turn off a color, then turn right back on when you tossed them a different one. Based on observation: now I'm a believer.
It happens quite often to me & especially on Toledo Bend.
I've seen it happen with plastics, lipped crankbaits, & lipless crankbaits.
I don't know if it's their food source changed, light penetrating changed, or maybe a new school moved in.
I got no clue why but I do know if ya don't change ya aint getting bit!
whitwolf reply :
I'm of this thought. I have a billion colors and use six at most. I have changed colors from time to time and it did seem to make a difference. BUT......location, confidence, and experience are my keys. To me, experience is the greatest factor I rely on. That said, to me color can make a difference but for the most part throw where they are and you give yourself a greater chance to catch fish, no matter the color. This is just my experiences and they certainly my not apply elsewhere.
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