Establishing Worm Color Preferences

[Loop_Dad]

Deep congrats for studying and actually trying thing out. To me that's the big part of fishing, trying something new.

 

I've read that book and also read the other book written by a scientist Knowing Bass Scientific Approach, which he talks about colors. I also used to dive long time ago. After going down a few feet, certain spectrum of lights are diminished and things become mono-tone even in clear water. So I doubt fish see much difference between say blue and purple in deeper water.

 

Either way, to make any convincing conclusion about effectiveness of color, one needs a lot more sample than a few fish. Or forget that and fish the color you like and be happy! That's what I do.

[bigbill]

Fish the colors to the water conditions. "Sometimes"

Now the very first plastic worm colors were black, natural Brown, then purple hit the scene and we been in warp drive ever since looking for the new hot color. But the old faithful basics is a split shot rigged 6" long standard Creme black worm.

We used a long sewing needle with a #2 smelled hook folded in half to insert it were the lump is in the worm the bring the leader out the head of the worm. You install the split shot at the knot in the smelled hook leader

We're talking basic late 60's / early 70's Field & Stream magazine tips here. I use this setup in the back washes on the larger flowing lakes from shore. Now with a boat you look for surface or submerged weeds. You move the boat out to where the weeds disappear from view. Anchor the boat and cast into where the weeds are. Strikes can happen as it falls on the cast. If not let it sit, in five minutes move it 6"/10" and let it sit. Watch the line for movement and repeat.

If you go to the waters edge at night with a flash lite there are freshwater eels that are a blackish to a dark gray in color this is why a black colored plastic worm is so hot.

[bigbill]

What colors to use?

Here in the northeast the unfinished places that see no pressure is where I test my different colors of plastics. I haven't tried them all yet but here's a few that work so far.

Small ponds

1. Amber (reddish orange) gold flake. senkos bps sticko

2. Electric Blue very hot in senko's & worms. Gambler ace & gambler worm

3. Reddish black flake senko. (Senko brand)

4. Black creme orginal plastic worm split shot rigged.

5. Purple creme orginal plastic worm split shot rig.

6. Culprit worm black shad

7. Culprit worm red shad

8. Culprit worm green shad

Up at the lake I'll add.

Culprit blue worm chartreuse colored tail

Culprit purple worm chartreuse colored tail.

Any colored tail, blue, red, yellow, Orange, chartreuse etc.

Why I have no clue but maybe in the water column the water conditions can change and the purple or blue with the yellow or chartreuse tail mimics a sunfish or bluegill breast.

The creme worms are many decades old in design but them and the culprit stuff still works today.

Don't go crazy buying up all the colors start with just a few.

[bigbill]

"The water conditions can change as we go deeper in the water column." Fact

On a tough day just toss a firetiger crankbait. After you have exhausted your favorite fish catching colors.

I'm fishing at one of my favorite hot spots from shore. I tossed every bait that's been proven to catch fish here in the past. I caught nothing. I tossed my baits a second time using different presentations. Not willing to give up I put on a bomber FAT A in firetiger. I started catching bass. I refuse to be beaten. I know from the past the fish are there.

The water may seem clear or slightly stained at the waters edge but as it gets deeper you can have multiple water conditions.

Just something to consider on a slow day, think brighter colors and "firetiger" is your color.

Slow Days are good......

I use the slower days to just practice each presentation with each bait. I like to hone my skills to an Oscar winning presentation with each bait. Fishing from shore I have a short time slot before the bass move to there deeper daytime haunts. I use this slow down time to practice. A bass will interrupt me every now and then but there letting me know I got it right. Throwing the correct color for the water conditions is the key thing, but your speed of your bait matters too. I like to keep it slow, just slow enough so the crankbait has an even steady wobble to it and the inline spinner and spinner bait blades just start to turn Even.

To practice you need to see your lure. I pick a spot where the ground is above the waters edge. Your lure is in full view. While you practice remember to wear your polarized glasses and watch behind your lure for short strikes too.

It happens all the time so look for it. I adjust my speed or add a shot of scent.