Match the Hatch baits and colors

[airborne_angler]

Im trying to unlock an advantage in the lake im fishing. Basically I want to get an idea of what the most productive bait and color would be to catch decent fish. I have caught a large amount of dinks on 3 different colors of *** Trick Sticks,Now im up for other methods. The species of fish in the lake I fish are LM Bass,Bluegill,Green Sunfish,Redear(shell cracker) hatchery Rainbow Trout and theres supposed to also be some Bullhead Catfish,which Ive never seen. Theres also  crayfish which lives in this lake.

A few different people I talk to tell me the "go to" color is Electric Blue. Now where in the world would that fit mimicing with the colors of Forage in this lake.And if that is a "go to" color,Why in the world would that be the case?

Based on what Ive described as the possible forage,what would be the best style and color imitator to use? I would assume it would be a crawfish imitator in the rocky areas.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[Guest avid]

Matching the hatch is a silly notion for bass fishing IMHO.

The term was coined by trout fisherman, because if a strong hatch of #10 caddis was hatching and you were throwing anything else, you were doing a lotta casting while the other guys were doing a lot catching.

Yes, it's true that bass have preferential forage, and simulating that forage is a wise move,

but I've taught too many bass on spinnerbaits, bubblegum trick worms, buzzbaits, and other baits that resemble absolutely nothing in nature to worry about it.  

[.ghoti.]

Base your color selection on the water conditions instaed of the forage base.

Over the years I've bought a gazillion baits in every color I could find just so I could have the "one go to color" that they were biting on that day. What a bunch of hooey!

For clear to lightly stained water, I go with something natural looking. The clearer the water, the better look the fish gets at your bait, so it should look reasonably natural. That usually means watermelon, green pumpkin, smoke or shad colors.

In stained to dirty water, I go with something dark. It's easier for the fish to see your baits if they offer some contrast against the dingy water. Black, black/blue, reds, anything dark.

This has simplified my bait buying and storage considerably.

Cheers,

GK

[5bass]

Base your color selection on the water conditions instaed of the forage base.

Over the years I've bought a gazillion baits in every color I could find just so I could have the "one go to color" that they were biting on that day. What a bunch of hooey!

For clear to lightly stained water, I go with something natural looking. The clearer the water, the better look the fish gets at your bait, so it should look reasonably natural. That usually means watermelon, green pumpkin, smoke or shad colors.

In stained to dirty water, I go with something dark. It's easier for the fish to see your baits if they offer some contrast against the dingy water. Black, black/blue, reds, anything dark.

This has simplified my bait buying and storage considerably.

Cheers,

GK

What he said.

[Raul]

My personal experience places me with the guys on this one, why would a good ole mexican bass that has lived all it 's life in a warm water pond ( so warm that tilapia which is highly intolerant to cold water thrives and spawns 4 times a year ) would come out and strike with vengeance a 6 inch rainbow trout colored soft plastic swimbait if it has never seen a rainbow trout in it 's life and will never see one ? tilapias certainly do not look like rainbow trouts in shape, size or color.

[Marty]

I've never been a match-the-hatch believer for reasons mentioned by the others. I recently bought the book, Knowing Bass, by Keith A. Jones, PhD. I don't recall the exact words, but he said basically it doesn't have to look or act natural, it has to grab the bass's attention. Analogous to Raul's rainbow example is the fact that most bass never see a worm, but they are highly attracted to their looks and scent if and when they do come into contact with one.

[Raul]

I don't recall the exact words, but he said basically it doesn't have to look or act natural, it has to grab the bass's attention.

Exactly !

Size is an attention getter, bigger baits are easier to see than small baits

Vibration is an attention getter, more vibration easier to feel

Sound is an attention getter, more sound easier to hear

Color/flash is an attention getter, hot colors or dark colors & flashy are easier to spot

Movement is an attention getter, erratic movement indicates it 's an easy prey and it 's "un-natural".

The catch in order to catch is to put all those together if possible when you select the bait and present it right in the right location.