| Color is an amazingly tough subject to make sense of. If pinned in a corner, I am a dark day, dark bait.... bright day, bright bait kind of guy. Of course, there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule... so I do not limit myself to that kind of color selecting process.
If I want maximum visibility, I choose colors that will reflect the predominant light source. I also favor lures with less markings (perch bars, dots, etc.) and go with the a simple pattern that is usually darker on top (could be a bright fluorescent color of deeper saturation) fading down to a light color on the underside. The sides of the bait are bright (white, flo. or metallic) and not darkened with tiger stripes, perch bars, scale affects, dots, etc.
But, some days I am a 100% natural guy and feel that perch bars are a great visual cue that muskies MAY be relating to. Some days I feel perch bars are lure camouflage. So, if you look in my tackle box, I have every color under the sun. Every conceivable natural pattern. I even have some crazy creations with polka dots, stripes, funky scales, etc.
Bottom line, a custom painter will ALWAYS have a secure job. No matter how much science you try to put into your color selection, there are always times when the "pretty" bait will be your best producer. Whether its confidence, ability to see and work your lure better, pure luck, different signature (not related to the color at all), etc. there will always be a need for custom paint patterns.
Is there a PERFECT paint pattern? If there is, I haven't found it yet. |
