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Muskie Fishing -> General Discussion -> Water clarity/ bait colors?
 
Message Subject: Water clarity/ bait colors?
TTails
Posted 6/6/2013 10:05 AM (#645157)
Subject: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Posts: 56


Was just thinking about this at work today, was wondering anyones input on this. How does the clarity of the water affect the actual color of the bait from a fish view. I know that I use gold quite a bit here in the metro, but when I go the the Chippewa flowage in Hayward gold is not the ticket, actually Florecent green works well up there, but to my eyes the green looks gold in the water. So does that mean that green or gold is the color? And if the water is more clear are they actually seeing the color we are throwing? Or do we have to change color according to clarity to make one color look like another? Whats your opinions?
jerryb
Posted 6/6/2013 10:31 PM (#645314 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Posts: 688


Location: Northern IL
There are guidelines for color and it goes like this: Dark water red or white sandy, water where you drop the lure down 6" and it disappears, not because of a mud situation but under "normal" water conditions, mostly found south and west/ dark day, use a dark color, copper, black etc. Clear water/ clear or bright day use a bright colored bait, white, silver etc. The in-between water color like a yellow green or say a 3rd or 4th day after the last front with high clouds, a mid color like yellows, orange or brass.

Color is one of most favorite subjects and reasons for many fishermen's success or failures. What's the first question we get most often after a catch is made?

90% of the time color has little or nothing to do with a catch being made, yes there can be times... Lakes with a particular water color, under certain weather conditions where one color may out shine another but before we can say one color is best over another a catch or 5,,, must be made. However to go to a body of water a few times or a few hundred times it's very difficult to say one color will out produce another. Water conditions are ever changing and no two days weather wise are ever the same.

The rule is, if you like it use it! If you believe in it use it and you'll do just fine, if you are presenting lures or bait at the right depth, moving it at the right speed and doing so at the right time.
Good Luck
bladeno20
Posted 6/6/2013 10:55 PM (#645319 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




very well said
woodieb8
Posted 6/7/2013 5:15 AM (#645333 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Posts: 1529


colors mean a lot period. scientific mumbo jumbo while we love to believe is ,usually just an opinion.
if you fish st clair system you will know what im saying.
Stan Durst 1
Posted 6/7/2013 7:06 AM (#645341 - in reply to #645333)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?





Posts: 1207


Location: Pigeon Forge TN.
Believe it
horsehunter
Posted 6/7/2013 7:32 AM (#645347 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Location: Eastern Ontario
I like firetiger under all conditions it is both a hot colour for the stained water of my home lake and kinda perchy in the ultra clear waters of the Larry and catches fish everywhere. Colour is far less important than LOCATION & TIMEING
bigbite
Posted 6/7/2013 7:57 AM (#645355 - in reply to #645347)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Posts: 1348


Location: Pewaukee, WI
I believe color to be an important factor. That said, some colors are just better producers most of the time (i.e. fire tiger, black, etc.).
woodieb8
Posted 6/7/2013 8:54 AM (#645373 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Posts: 1529


after building for years. every region has magic colors.
when you have clear water...tanic color waters or pea green colors create the magic. .
i agree location and prentation get you to the zone..but ya gotta make them bite. those days of its perfect conditions and not gettin bit can hold endless variables. time on waters a knowledge base can put you into the 1 fish that makes your day/week..there aint nobody thats deciphered these ornery fish...dam women are more predictable lol.
FAT-SKI
Posted 6/7/2013 9:22 AM (#645383 - in reply to #645373)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?




Posts: 1360


Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished
Orange is a great all around color. But I have never seen it work anywhere, like it works on my home lake.
Sam Ubl
Posted 6/7/2013 9:35 AM (#645395 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: Re: Water clarity/ bait colors?





Location: SE Wisconsin
It comes down to your preference and what you feel confident in throwing because you can catch fish on all different colors in all different water stains and clarities. I've caught fish on clear water throwing bright orange and chartreuse colors, and I've caught fish on tannic stained waters throwing black... I pick lures I can see most of the time when I'm throwing in stained waters. I love a bucktail with a black skirt and an orange blade on stained water because I can watch it all the way in.

I always squint my eyes when I pick a lure color because it blurs it and that's how I think the fish sees the bait - in a blur. If the colors of detailed paintjob blend together to make a good shade, I'm a happy camper. I prefer solids, for the most part - clear OR stained water. Brightness and dulness all depends on my mood and what I think profiles the best for the light in the sky. I like solid darks when it's a white overcast sky, and I like bright colors when it's a bluebird day.

My own preferences... works for me and that's what really matters, right?
The Swan
Posted 6/7/2013 9:50 AM (#645400 - in reply to #645157)
Subject: RE: Water clarity/ bait colors?


Unless there is something anomolous about a lake or river, when fishing for muskie I would tend to go to natural color patterns in clearer water; and brighter colors in darker water. The predator has to see what you are presenting; and thus the brighter colors in dark water--firetiger, chartreuse, etc. But in clear water I would start by throwing something that looks like what he is hunting for--perch, sucker, nine dollar bass, etc. Of course, if one approach doesn't work; then try another.
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