Posted
by Rob J in WNY on
Topwater lure color.......does it matter
that much?
In a conversation,
probably with Tony the "Bassin Dude," in
his infinite wisdom of bass biology, the idea was brought up that topwater frog colors probably don't matter much, as the
fish sees mainly just the dark, shadowy underside of the frog - often through
the muck and mire, during the day. A very valid point.
What about regular topwaters, such as a Zara Spook, Pop-R, Spittin' Image
or Torpedo? Is color that important with these? I have used the clear and
silver (both w/blue) varieties and had much success. But even then, doesn't the
fish really see mostly the shadowy underside of the lure?
Perhaps lure style is more important? Say, popping might be better on a
given condition over walking the dog with a Spook.
It seems to me that color is much less important with topwater
lures than sinking lures (of course, I have slimmed down my color selections to
just a few in my soft plastics, for instance). I'm just interested in getting
some thoughts together to widen horizons on this idea that color may not be
that important with lures on the surface.
Thanks in advance! 
Tight Lines...
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Posted
by HugeFish4 on
Personally, I don't think it matters at all! It only matters if you believe it does. Then you better use what you have confidence in.
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Posted
by InlExp on
Perfect example
So I'm fishing the home
lake last Sunday (6/15) morning, I'm fishing a green scum frog, catching fish.
The sky is grey, overcast. I tie on a white scum frog with bright orange/yellow
tail and sunburst thing on its nose... first cast, catch a fish. Okay that
works. But I know this lake and with this color sky, black should be the color.
Tie one on, first cast again.
Pick your c o
l o r , any color!!!
Sometimes it doesn't matter. But I do believe that there are times when it is
important.
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Posted
by Bink on
Most fish are dark on top and light on the bottom. Dark on top so as to blend in with the bottom when being preyed upon from above and light to blend in with the sky for preditors looking up.
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Posted
by jiggin-n-piggin on
No Difference
Rob,
I believe it makes little, if any difference at all! HUGEFISH4 hit it dead
on......... "only if you believe it makes a
difference"! It's like that with a lot of the baits you throw for bass. If
you believe you'll get bit on a bait, you probably
will.
In a topwater bait, I think
the silouette, action, and presentation are the most
important factors to make a bass strike. He zeros in on that and it's mostly a
reaction strike, more than a feeding instinct.
C'ya on the water,
Ted
Posted
by pitchindocks on
For Rat/Frog fishing I like a bright one for ME to be able to see if the fish has it or not. For spooks, etc, I always use one with a white belly to resemble a baitfish! Keep it simple, color is a state of mind!
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Posted
by joe p on
Not a big topwater guy, but I like baitfish patterns on my spooks ,
Sammy's, Poprs etc.
Some guys go for the gaudy colors to get a reflex bite. And that works also.
Whatever works on a certain day is the color of choice. Experimenting is the only
way to find out.
Joe
Posted
by Bass Hawg on
Jitterbug Question
Do we have any Jitterbug experts? Is the Jitterbug only good to use at night?? I'm thinking about throwing the jitterbug on Wednesday, during the early morning bite. The thing is that I dont ever remember catching anything with it during the early morning bite. Could it only be productive in the dark of night?? Sounds scary!..lol
Posted
by Senkosam on
Light refraction and a rolling
lure causes the sides to show their colors, especially
walking-type baits. Even a popper can be made to dunk down below the surface
like a chugger. Try this some time - lay on the bottom of a pool, looking up, and have someone
walk-the-dog over your position. I guarentee you'll
see more than just the lure's bottom.
I've always been partial to holographic finishes or pearlescent
sides, regardless of sky conditions, but in the case of floating minnows and jerkbaits, shad or multicolored patterns (i.e. f.tiger), have my confidence. I believe that a black topwater won't get a second look, but a bright one will p.o. a bass into hitting a still lure or one that has been
cast multiple times to the same spot.
Does black treble dressing on a popper matter.
Probably not because, for some strange reason, the rear treble seems to be the
target hit first more often.
Night time is probably a time for black anything, but give me color or
flash when the sun is up (even if not visible).
You're probably right though, confidence in black may
perform as well when thrown by an angler experienced and successful throwing
it.
FrankM
Posted
by HugeFish4 on
Senkosam, when you say a black topwater won't get a second look; are you referring to hardbody baits only, or would you include buzzbaits as well?
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Posted
by Charlie on
The question here is IF
bass can see color or are they color blind?
Science tells us (but not conclusively) that bass see several shades of grey
down to black.
There is NO question that flash from a lure on the surface will certainly
"add" to the attraction.
I tend to use natural colors for the majority of my plastics and hard bait
presentation, however, a pink worm or a bright blue and orange crankbait can sometimes work if the sunlight is in just the
right location.
Black is excellent day or night. I honestly believe that if you give a bass a
solid outline, the strike and the hook up ratio increase.
I like feathered trebles on the rear of most hard baits as I think the water
mixing with the feathers gives an aerodynamic finish to the overall body
contour, something many lures fail to do.
If I had to choose colors for the sake of selection, black,
brown and green, followed by silver and gold. Most of the anglers I see
on tour like to flip or pitch black , black and blue (a black variant)
be it a jig, or a worm. I like watermelon and green pumpkin because they fall
into the darker grey arena, not quite black, not quite grey!
Top water poppers tend to be gold/brown back, white bellies with a touch color
under the head. Personally, I think that "dot" of color is there as a
"target" for the bass to strike at as it is something that
"breaks up " the basic outline of the bait.
Color selection on spinnerbaits leans more toward the
blade shape, size and color rather than the skirt. Blade selection has to be
based on water clarity (or lack of it) and the skirt to me is a fancy hook
guard or shield, nothing more!
Color is a question that will plague us for years to come, and give wives and
girlfriends a wider selection to choose from for special occasions when they
buy those lures that catch fishermen not fish!
Charlie
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Posted
by Pete L on
Gotta Love the JITTERBUG!!!! One of my alltime favorites and most consistant topwater producers.
Deadly at night , but also works during the day.
As far as colors , black seems to work best at night ,
and anything with a white underside during the day.
In general I don`t believe the rest of the color
makes a differance on topwater
baits.
Pete
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Posted
by Bass Hawg on
Thanks!!
You have been successful
during the day..hmm..
Posted
by Marty on
Re: Jitterbug Question
QUOTE]Originally
posted by Bass Hawg
Do we have any Jitterbug experts? Is the Jitterbug only good to use at
night?? [/QUOTE]
I am not a Jitterbug expert, but over the last six or seven years it has become
my favorite topwater. I don't fish early mornings and
I don't fish at night, but I do use Jitterbugs from sundown until I quit at
late dusk, and they work just fine.
Black is the only color I use, not because I've proven to myself that it's the
best, but I have a lot of confidence in it and I don't need more colors for the
kind of fishing I do. I recommend you discard the stock hooks and add split
rings to attach your new hooks to.
Posted
by earthworm77 on
Nice post Charlie. I like dark baits in low light, lighter colors in brighter light.
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Posted
by Rob J in WNY on
I loved ALL your
responses! I had a feeling that we would see a mixed bag of thoughts, and every
one is valid.
Topwater is probably my favorite way to fish, but I
have to admit that I have not explored all the possibilities. Shoot, last year
was the first year that I ever caught a fish on a Hula Popper, and I caught my
first buzzbait bass in 15 years last year as well.
Probably color does play a role in certain situations, and, as Ted and others
suggested, lure shape and presentation are highly important.
Thanks again for all your thoughts! If anyone has anything more to add, please
do so.
Tight Lines...
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Posted
by Senkosam on
quote:
I believe that a black topwater won't get a second look, but a bright one will p.o. a bass into hitting a still lure or one that has been cast multiple times to the same spot.
HugeFish4, I'm not saying a fish won't attack a black topwater
immediately, by reaction, but 2, 3 or even 4 strikes by the same fish on
the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th casts, usually happen on flashy or lighter colored
lures, in my experience.
Black, (hard or soft) surface lures worked during daylight hours may work as
well as bright lures or translucent plastics, but few people I know use black
on surface, including myself. In fact, most of my club members always throw a jerkbait in early spring with an orange belly.
My buzzbaits are usually gray, light blue, bone or
white, with strands of a florescent color sometimes added.(I
tie my own).
I've never used a black buzz during the day, so I can't comment, but would
never rule out any color.
I'll do anything to p.o. a bass or pick
to hit a surface lure, and my belief is that certain outrageous, bright or
flashy colors accomplish the type of viscious strikes
not usually found with subsurface lures. It's one
thing for a fish to travel 8-10' horizontally to inspect the commotion in its
backyard; it's another thing to get it to attack sometimes, after a close
inspection or pause.
SSam
Posted
by BassMiesterNJ on
Sugoi Splash
I caught one tonight on one of these in Bluegill.
What a pisser, I had to grab the only available rod and it had 4lb test
spooled, lol. Boated em and
kept the lure too.
Posted
by HugeFish4 on
Senkosam, I can attest that black buzzbaits work extremely well all day and all night;
especially in stained water. In fact, it is the ONLY color buzzbait
I throw. I have had several days this year already with 10 + fish landed on a
black buzzbait and have gotten 3- 4lb+ fish this year
including one on a sunbeaten shoreline at 4:00pm.
While prefishing
As far as second looks go, my first big buzzbait fish
of the year missed it on the first swipe, so I cast back at her and nailed her.
This has also happened on smaller fish several times this year.
Now do I believe black is the best color out there? Of course not!!! But I
throw a black buzzbait because I have TOTAL
confidence when I do.
I think I am going to paint a walking bait entirely
black and the sides and top and see if it matters on a day when there is a good
topwater bite. I haven't seen too many black walking baits. HMMMMMMMM!
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Posted
by BassMiesterNJ on
quote:
Originally
posted by HugeFish4
I think I am going to paint a walking bait entirely
black and the sides and top and see if it matters on a day when there is a good
topwater bite. I haven't seen too many black walking baits. HMMMMMMMM!
I've got a black Zara Spook...... maybe I should dust
that sucker off....?
Posted
by Bink on
I have had good luck with the Black Spook on rainy days or overcast mornings.
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