Spring colors/pattern
mmclain6101
Posted 5/19/2008 1:50 PM (#318716)
Subject: Spring colors/pattern




Posts: 107


Location: Mayer, MN
I have a few lures that I need to paint and was just wondering what colors or patterns people throw in the spring?
agrimm
Posted 5/20/2008 3:31 PM (#318911 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 427


Location: Wausau
I'll add that I don't think it matters what time of year...people stick to colors that do best on the water they fish. Dark vs Bright, Clear vs Natural - Match the Hatch vs. Unique...
Willis
Posted 5/20/2008 3:47 PM (#318918 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: RE: Spring colors/pattern




Posts: 227


Location: New Brighton, MN
It depends on what method you believe. If you want a "reaction" bite, use bright colors. If you want to "fool" them into biting, go natural.

The common belief is, if you're in clear water, go natural.
If you're in murky water, go bright and flashy.
bn
Posted 5/20/2008 3:54 PM (#318922 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: RE: Spring colors/pattern


generally speaking I tend to like natural colors in clearer water and bright colors in darker water...but I let the fish tell me what they want on any given day...so far this has been a pretty good May for fish in the boat..just about all have come on fairly natural colors...and the water has been fairly clear...
woodieb8
Posted 5/20/2008 5:36 PM (#318939 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern




Posts: 1529


man buy more lures. these fish will drive you nuts for colors. actually cold water brighter colors for reaction hits, warmer clean water naturals work best for me
THA4
Posted 5/21/2008 9:58 AM (#319020 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 468


Location: Not where I wanna be!
is there really a color pattern that works best???

I know guys that fish the same lakes as me, and catch fish on opposite colors in different days.....
My theory is get a lure in front of a hungry fish and he will eat it!
J.Sloan
Posted 5/21/2008 10:13 AM (#319021 - in reply to #319020)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Location: Lake Tomahawk, WI
While I have seen color make a difference in certain instances, overall I think it's overrated. Proper lure types worked in the correct fashion is more important. Twitching minnow baits has always been my favorite early season technique, and while fishing structure such as wood and new weeds I like a sucker, walleye, perch color (clear or stained water). Early suspended fish I stick with the same colors I would use in the summer, blues/whites/silvers/blacks.

To really maximize your catch potential for the N. WI opener (especially this year), make sure one guy in the boat is working a weedless jig and 5" redtail chub (or sucker) all day long around the above mentioned structures. Not only should you tie into a few muskies, but you'll have a good chance of bringing home a limit of walleyes for the fryer and releasing a bunch of big smallies.

JS

Edited by J.Sloan 5/21/2008 10:14 AM
sorenson
Posted 5/21/2008 10:23 AM (#319023 - in reply to #319021)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 1764


Location: Ogden, Ut
J.Sloan - 5/21/2008 9:13 AM

While I have seen color make a difference in certain instances, overall I think it's overrated. Proper lure types worked in the correct fashion is more important.

JS


I tend to agree with this; especially the last couple of years for me. My best bait for moving fish has been a Baby Wabull with about 99.3% of it's paint knocked off. The eyes are gone too. Over the last 2 days out, it has been followed by 17 different fish (18 if you count the smallie). Now, it seems like I have the 'proper lure type', all I need is the 'worked correctly' part!
S.
THA4
Posted 5/21/2008 12:52 PM (#319049 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 468


Location: Not where I wanna be!
dont get me wrong, i like haveing all my options, and will continue to buy all sorts of different stuff.....
but i have caught fish, or had fish hooked on baits, that "By the rule" never should have hit the bait. i.e. super clear water, middle of a super sunny day had a great fish hit a fire tiger manta...... totally against the "rules"

but i like having options...
Marc J
Posted 5/21/2008 1:27 PM (#319064 - in reply to #319049)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 313


Location: On your favorite spot
Thomas - Can I assume next time you walk down to the dock to take a few casual casts with your firetiger manta you'll have your net with you? You'll get your revenge soon enough......
THA4
Posted 5/21/2008 1:38 PM (#319065 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 468


Location: Not where I wanna be!
Mad Face.............

why O WHY is rubbing salt in the wounds fun for you?????


Makes for a great fish story tho, dont it!!

musky-skunk
Posted 5/21/2008 3:56 PM (#319084 - in reply to #318716)
Subject: RE: Spring colors/pattern





Posts: 785


The best color is the one you have confidence in and the one that will be most visible to the fish (contrast or color).

That said it doesn't hurt to have some options.... ... a person can get carried away though.


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JBush
Posted 5/21/2008 4:01 PM (#319088 - in reply to #319065)
Subject: Re: Spring colors/pattern




Posts: 311


Location: Ontario
That jig 'n minnow combo fools some real big pike and lakers too, Jsloan. Super-easy on a fish's mouth, too. Couple colours that work anywhere for me, from real dark water to real clear: black/gold, pink/white, yellow/gold, brown/gold, firetiger, black/orange, silver/purple, purple/gold, orange/white (a real deadly sleeper colour..lake trout imitation), blue/silver, grey/white, solid orange, solid pink, black/red. I could easily fish all season with firetiger. Colour doesn't get much more 'over the counter' than that. Where I fish, colour is largely meaningless to the fish, but a real key to your confidence.