Need Some Help Picking Lure Size

[MIbassin]

Hey guys,

 

 

I know that the general rule of thumb is in clear water or when the bite is really tough, to downsize lures.

 

But what about spooks, poppers and any topwater for that matter..for example when would you throw a super spook over the puppy or regular size?

[papajoe222]

I use the same general rule with topwaters, but on lures I don't have in smaller versions, I'll go to more natural colors. The exception, for me, is when I'm targeting smallies holding deep.  Then I'll go with brighter colors in the larger size. 

If you've just started building your topwater selection, I'd start out with the mid-sized stuff. You may get bit less under tough conditions, but you'll still have enough bulk to your presentation to attract fish under low light or stained water conditions.

[MIbassin]

Thanks! I actually live fishing with the super spook.. And is there any way you could help me out with color? I've heard white for cloudy days and chime for sunny days ..... Then Ill go to a different website and it will say the exact opposite. I'm just looking for a general rule if thumb

[Bangin' Bucketmouths]

I've used Spooks in saltwater, usually will upsize the lure the deeper the water gets. On the flats we will use the smaller size unless if it's windy. Then as we head out into deeper water, anything more the 6 feet, we will upsize. As for bass, I'd judge off the wind. On a really calm day without that much wind, I would use a smaller lure as a bigger lure could spook them. But on a windy day you need all the action you can get.

[Bangin' Bucketmouths]

As for colors go for darker colors in murky overcast days, florescent colors on murky sunny days, and natural colors for clear water. Use silver in sunny clear conditions. This applies for all lures.

[papajoe222]

For explosive strikes, and more misses than I care to mention, I like a clear Spook on sunny days or in clear water situations. There's something about that comotion and not being able to see what's causing it that seems to draw those kind of strikes.  I'll normally follow up the misses with either a bone colored Spook or a super Fluke.  That same bone color gets the nod on overcast days and sun-up and sun-down.   I've also had good luck with the G-finish and black spooks, but for smallies I prefer something with chartruse or a firetiger pattern.

If you're only getting one, go with bone with a red head.  It was one of the first colors they came in and it still produces day,night,sunny or cloudy.

[MIbassin]

For explosive strikes, and more misses than I care to mention, I like a clear Spook on sunny days or in clear water situations. There's something about that comotion and not being able to see what's causing it that seems to draw those kind of strikes.  I'll normally follow up the misses with either a bone colored Spook or a super Fluke.  That same bone color gets the nod on overcast days and sun-up and sun-down.   I've also had good luck with the G-finish and black spooks, but for smallies I prefer something with chartruse or a firetiger pattern.

If you're only getting one, go with bone with a red head.  It was one of the first colors they came in and it still produces day,night,sunny or cloudy.

haha that's funny because the first super spook I picked up was in bone with a red head! What size is your favorite? Could you still use the super spook when it's calm or would you opt for a smaller one?

[Marty]

Thanks! I actually live fishing with the super spook.. And is there any way you could help me out with color? I've heard white for cloudy days and chime for sunny days ..... Then Ill go to a different website and it will say the exact opposite. I'm just looking for a general rule if thumb

 

And if you go to a 3rd and 4th website you'll probably get a 3rd and 4th opinion. There are some rules of thumb and different people have different rules. It's a crapshoot, bass are not predictable and every outing becomes trial and error. If you do find a rule of thumb that seems to make sense to you, then the most that could be said for it is that the first color you try is according to the rule. But if the color doesn't work, then you start changing to find out what does work, if indeed, anything at all works on that day. 

 

So in the final analysis, there's little difference between using a rule of thumb and not using one. As I've said about other things here, don't over-think it. Get out there, start with your confidence color and you'll soon know what you have to do.

[MIbassin]

Thanks! The only thing I'm stuck on is size