Changing plastics colors while fishing

[The Fisher]

I know conditions and maybe a "feeling" will have a lot to do with this question, but, How often will you change colors on a plastic bait while fishing if you are not getting any bites? For instance, if you are fishing wacky Senkos and not getting any bites will you change to another color? Or will you change to another type bait? 

[Scott F]

I almost NEVER pay any attention to color when fishing Senkos. That doesn't mean I don't own several different colors. I usually just stick my hand in the box and whatever color comes out, I use. I have caught too many bass on Senkos to believe that on any particular day, that I just by chance, happened to pick just the right color they wanted that day. Several times I have intentionally switched colors after catching a bass but it never seemed to make any difference. The only time color matters to me is when I might be sight fishing and I want to see the bait under the water and then I'll switch to a white or bright color. 

[Cgolf]

Can't speak to Senkos, because I don't toss them yet, but can talk a little about clear water colors. A lake I fish is smoke purple or other smoke colors when the water is flat with some sun, and water red will not get a look. If it is overcast and the wind picks up and a chop develops, water red turns on and the smoke tubes will not get a look. When on darker water as long as it is a darker color I don't seem to see any drastic shifts. I will say the clear water fishery is one I know very well, so that does make it easier for me, but at the same time it has taught me a lot too 

[ww2farmer]

I let the water clarity, and sky/sun light conditions dictate my color choice.................Say I am fishing water with decent clarity and using a green pumpkin texas rigged creature bait, and am NOT getting bit on that, I will change several other things first before I change color. #1 is location...............one stretch that was hot 3 days ago might not be today, #2 is depth................IE..if I am fishing docks, inside grass lines and other shallow cover and not getting bit, maybe they have slipped out off the banks and are in the grass or off the edge of the deeper grass line, or vice versa,  and if that proves to not be working, I will go with a different presentation altogether.

[flyingmonkie]

I pack my soft plastics based on anticipated water conditions and rarely look back.  If I change anything, it'll be location/presentation.

I'm more likely to change color on a hard plastic, but I usually need evidence (chasing fish or short strikes) to do that.

[Airman4754]

Whatever will be the most visible while looking natural is what I will use. Color is really about being practical with water clarity and confidence. There are like 80 Senko colors, but the main four will cover 99.9% of all applications.

[WIGuide]

It really depends. I'll change if conditions change, or if I'm fishing an area that I have a ton of confidence in and not getting bit. The other time I'll switch is if I'm doubling back on something I just covered, or sometimes even if I'm fishing a second spot that day. 

[Spankey]

I agree with all the above posts. I have a good variety selection of soft plastics and colors. More than I need but that's from trying to fish with different versions. All of which work but to different degrees. Taking 4 colors out, I believe I could make something happen with that. Leaving everything else at home.

In good conditions or a normal conditions I feel confident enough about taking (4) bags of Power Worms or Sliders out on the Big "D"  and catch bass.

I realize you said senko, but I'm more apt to be throwing a tube, fluke or finesse type worm in my fishing over the senko. Putting myself in your type of situation.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I think the BEST time to change colors and/or test new baits is when the fish are on an active bite.

 

[blckshirt98]

I always start fishing plastics with something in a watermelon or green pumpkin with some type of flake.  I'll throw that for about 10 minutes in 2-3 spots and after about a half hour of that will start changing colors/size every 10 minutes or so.  If the water is clear I'll go to more of a clear/ghost plastic, if the water is murky I'll go to a reddish or black color.  But I'll always start with something watermelon or green pumpkin since those seem to work at every lake around here.

[buzzed bait]

i'll change sizes or i'll change baits, but i don't much think about colors.

i only think about color in relation to the water color and how well the bait will show up in those conditions.

[Nitrofreak]

As others have stated, I believe it's more important to put the work in finding the right location first, it really depends on sun and water conditions, I won't change colors but I do look for subtle differences within a color, the addition of green flake, red flake, etc... the base will stay the same, I change baits completely when I change locations and I feel something else could be productive, there are certain times when thinking outside of the box does influence a complete change I agree, especially when you know your in a good location and you try to fire up a school.

[WRB]

In clear deep structured lakes color changes are often the difference between a good day and a poor day. The one thing your learn quickly when fishing with a skilled partner and using different colors to determine the preferred color can change hourly!

More often than not, color is the most important factor when everything else is in place. You need to be on a good bite to make the comparison.  Most anglers stay with the same color day in and day out and only try something different as a last resort to catch something. Try changing colors during a good bite.

Tom

[David Whitaker]

Pretty much everybody on here will either agree or disagree, no really "in between" on this, but I keep it stupid simple when it comes to color choices. A lot of anglers go crazy when it comes to colors having everything from watermelon to ballistic sunfish Shad citrus purple haze ? Which isn't necessarily a bad thing when fish are in a tweaked out state, but when it comes to me I stick to the basics. On a normal outing or tournament I pretty much bring what I know I can get bit on which is watermelon red, Junebug, black and blue, pearl, and a bluegill pattern like Houdini or Copperfield. If I can't find a strong bite on any of these I'll move to a "tweak" color as I like to call em such as Okee craw, river bug, Junebug red, or watermelon. Maybe even a crazy color like gold rush by Gambler. My choice is first based on water color. If it's clear water I like to stick to watermelon red 90% of the time. If it's stained I'll stick to a Junebug, black and blue, or white. Around the spawn I'll be more likely to throw a bluegill pattern in any water color. In general if I had to pick one it'd be Junebug cause here in Florida it will work ANYWHERE ANYTIME.

[papajoe222]

About the only time I consider changing colors of a bait is when I'm on fish and the bite dies off. You can pick up a few extra that way.  If I'm confident that I'm on fish and they aren't responding, I normally will move on.