How Much Does Color Matter For Senkos?

[iabass8]

If  I am not getting bit on, say, a green pumpkin senko, switching to watermelon red is idiotic............they are not biting that presentation, I'll switch to a jig or something else. A lot of people spend hours not getting bit, rotating through colors, then the fish turn on, and they get bit on the 35th different color bait they tried, and think that the color change was the reason they got bit. These are the people I kindly refer to as........idiots.

[thomas15]

On the subject of the senko, I tried a wacky rigged one for the first time a while back. I used a 4" senko, an O ring and a light finess hook in about 78 degree water. The worm dropped very slowly and had no action at all. I want to get obviously some wiggle action, so would a heavier hook make a difference or what about putting a small lead worm nail on it?

[wnspain]

On the subject of the senko, I tried a wacky rigged one for the first time a while back. I used a 4" senko, an O ring and a light finess hook in about 78 degree water. The worm dropped very slowly and had no action at all. I want to get obviously some wiggle action, so would a heavier hook make a difference or what about putting a small lead worm nail on it?

Why not just up your drop weight? It seems as if the difference in hook weight would be negligible in most all cases. 

[MDBowHunter]

As said by most don't worry as much about the color as presentation. Next time try skipping a jig, a TX rigged plastic craw or a hudd 68 under that dock and see what happens.

[MrBigFishSC]

The guys that say color doesn't matter I assume then fish only one color bait regardless of the water color and forage. I ain't convinced.

Presentation is key but then color choice helps you get the fish to bite. Root beer Senkos will catch fish right behind a pumpkin Senko that didn't produce and vice versa. If I know the bait and presentation are working at a given time and location but can't get bit I won't hesitate to change colors based on the specific conditions. That's just good fishing sense.

[basswrangler83]

Your initial question was about color, so here's my 2 cents: I only worry about whether or not the bass can see my lure. I love fishing senkos and use mainly 2 colors, black with blue fleck (or something close to that would work fine) for murky water, green pumpkin for clear. Don't drive yourself crazy with color choices. I've been very seccessful with these 2 colors. The brand I use is YUM dingers, and I always Texas rig them weightless due to the amount of weeds and vegetation in my lakes. If they don't want the senko (rarely, but it happens) throw a jig like some of the other guys have said. When it comes to color choice, just worry about visibility, but remember, a bass's eyes are about 8 times as sensitive to light as ours, according to an episode of bill dance outdoors lol.

[RoLo]

The guys that say color doesn't matter I assume then fish only one color bait regardless of the water color and forage. I ain't convinced.

Presentation is key but then color choice helps you get the fish to bite. Root beer Senkos will catch fish right behind a pumpkin Senko that didn't produce and vice versa. If I know the bait and presentation are working at a given time and location but can't get bit I won't hesitate to change colors based on the specific conditions. That's just good fishing sense.

 

Color 'does' matter, but only inasmuch as it lends to Lure Visibility.

There's a large faction of anglers who do not buy into 'matching-the-hatch' (an ole fly-tying expression referring to size & shape).

The thinking is that once a bass sees your lure, the importance of color falls through the cracks.

To put it differently, once a bass is convinced that your lure is food, 'color' isn't likely to destroy his appetite.

 

Roger

[MrBigFishSC]

Roger you're right in that the fish has to see the bait first. That is determined by presentation, location, and color if the water is dirty. Once that happens the fish has the choice to bite or not.

Colors catch more fisherman than fish but color selection shouldn't be thrown out entirely. There is no bubble gum colored forage in the lakes I fish but I throw this color when the natural colors don't seem to be working. I have had fish hammer a BG trick worm when green pumpkin or june bug is slow. Not to get into a color perception topic but I believe it's a subtle difference than can get you more fish in some situations.

[RoLo]

Roger you're right in that the fish has to see the bait first. That is determined by presentation, location, and color if the water is dirty. Once that happens the fish has the choice to bite or not.

Colors catch more fisherman than fish but color selection shouldn't be thrown out entirely. There is no bubble gum colored forage in the lakes I fish but I throw this color when the natural colors don't seem to be working. I have had fish hammer a BG trick worm when green pumpkin or june bug is slow. Not to get into a color perception topic but I believe it's a subtle difference than can get you more fish in some situations.

 

I agree, color can absolutely make a difference.

My point is that 'lure visibility' is more likely the deciding factor rather than how closely the color matches some creature.

An opportunistic predator doesn't have the luxury to be selective, they'll change prey in the blink of an eye,

just like fish in an aquarium, or like the bass I had in my backyard pond. The color of forage is whatever is served up,

be it shad, bluegills, shiners, dace, gobies, frogs, blackbirds, snakes, crayfish ~ (crayfish alone come in every color).

Within the same lake and without any change in the staple prey, the most productive colors will continue to change

with changes in light level, which hinge on water clarity, sky clarity, sun angle, surface turbulence, etc.

 

Roger

[MrBigFishSC]

I agree, color can absolutely make a difference.

My point is that 'lure visibility' is more likely the deciding factor rather than how closely the color matches some creature.

An opportunistic predator doesn't have the luxury to be selective, they'll change prey in the blink of an eye,

just like fish in an aquarium, or like the bass I had in my backyard pond. The color of forage is whatever is served up,

be it shad, young bluegills, shiners, dace, gobies, frogs, blackbirds, snakes, crayfish ~ ~.

Crayfish alone come in every imaginable color. Within the same lake, without any change in key prey,

the most productive colors will continue to change with changes in light level, which hinges on water clarity,

sky clarity, sun angle, surface turbulence, etc.

 

Roger

Enough said. Points made and taken. Fish on...

[thomas15]

Why not just up your drop weight? It seems as if the difference in hook weight would be negligible in most all cases. 

 

I agree but having read everything on this forum regarding wacky senkos and everyone says weightless. I guess I have to start experimenting and try a bunch of different things, since I usually drop shot I'm gonna try that first then the nails. I guess i'm lazy but my time on the water is at a premium and usually at a time when "thinking" is not an easy task. I will let you know how I make out.