Late Winter/Early Spring Chatterbait Colors

[txchaser]

A while back I added a few "Hites Hot Craw" Jackhammers to an order. They are dark red on the bottom and green pumpkin on top. They sat in the box for a while. The water in Texas started to warm back up enough that it seemed like the time to start throwing chatterbaits. On a bit of a hunch (craw presentation in the spring) I decided to tie one of the craw jackhammers on with a rage bug in falcon lake, which is dark red on the bottom and GP on top. Rigged it horizontal.

 

It certainly -looked- tasty. Bite was on! Put on the gill color that is the go-to to see if it was just a chatterbait bite, or there was some color difference. No bites! This pattern repeated itself through all of Feb. Sometimes I could get a bite on something else in brown/orange/red; lipless etc. And sometimes a few on a gill color or a white. But for moving baits in shallower (<10 FOW) water, nothing was close to the productivity.  

 

Anyway here's the point - if you are getting out a bunch of craw color/presentation stuff for spring, try one of these too.

 

 

[Paul Roberts]

Cool. Interesting. I like those colors. Always liked red underside and dark top-side.

 

The effectiveness of red lures seems to be a real thing. But, I've never been sold on the red meaning "crayfish". I suspect it may instead have something to do with fish vision coming out of winter. That's just a guess, in my trying to understand how fish could mistake... anything red, for a crayfish. Most craws aren't red, unless you boil them. And they don't rip through the water column like a lipless. Something else has to be at work there. If it were all jigs and chatterbaits, I'd be more open to the crayfish hypothesis.

[DitchPanda]

Im with Paul on the visibility deal...fish seen to be in a haze\funk right away like they need to rub the sleep out of there eyes after winter...Also the water tends to be off color after ice out for me so I think red stands out. Another factor is lipless puts out a lot of sound and a chatterbait lots of vibration which I believe helps them find it easier in dirty water when coupled with a color that stands out I.E black,red,chartreuse etc. This is just based on my opinions learned from experience...I don't know the true science behind it cuz like others have said in past posts I keep asking bass but they ain't talkin !

[txchaser]

The vision change theory is interesting. 

 

It's been like an on-off switch recently. Now that I think about it I was fishing late January and the difference between chart-dipped senko and no dip was the same thing - like a light switch... and this was in 4' vis water.

 

I wonder why red/orange instead of chartruese for the crankbaits and chatterbaits though. I'll have to try it if I get the same pattern tomorrow. 

[txchaser]

 

From a study linked in the comments of the video. Also I think the study has been posted here somewhere. Net net LMB seem to be able to see red better than any other color, and green is next. Just because they can see it doesn't mean they'll eat it... but it's pre-spawn so they are hungry. Maybe a bigger triggering effect.

 

https://academic.oup.com/cz/article/65/1/43/4924236

 

Quote

A simple model of visual perception predicted that bass should not be able to discern between chartreuse yellow and white nor between green and blue. In contrast, bass should be able to discern red from all achromatic (i.e., gray scale) stimuli. These predictions were partially upheld in behavioral trials. In behavioral trials, bass were first trained to recognize a target color to receive a food reward, and then tested on their ability to differentiate between their target color and a color similar in brightness. Bass trained to red and green could easily discern their training color from all other colors for target colors that were similar in brightness (white and black, respectively). This study shows that bass possess dichromatic vision and do use chromatic (i.e., color) cues in making visual-based decisions.

 

[tander]

If you are watching the Bass Master Classic, it looks like red is the color. I also suspect that is it is a vision thing.

[tbone1993]

If you use a Shad pattern, green pumpkin or white and chart you'll catch fish. not big on the bright red but I'm sure it works

 

[Bluebasser86]

Reds and oranges are solid choices early in the year. This one is one that I do and it's always a good choice early in the year. Only thing they'd eat in the pond I fished earlier this week.

[Paul Roberts]

Good thread.

 

I have never been a "red" guy. Like tbone, I've been a natural colors guy in spring mostly. And I've always used chartreuse as my "light bulb" color. And I catch fish. In fact, in spring, everything seems to catch... something. But, I've been listening to guys like txchaser, and others, who seem to do better on red. I am curious how chartreuse stacks up against red.

 

The vision thing I was talking about has to do with a change in visual pigments in fish coming out of winter. Nothing has been done on bass that I'm aware of on this. But trout and salmon were found to shift their visual pigments to better cover longer wavelengths (reds) as they come shallow in spring. Bass also migrate from deep to shallow in spring, although to a lesser extent. So... it's not only possible, but... mebbe... even likely that bass shift their vision capabilities toward the reds as they move into the shallows.

 

Why is red hot so early? And then seems to peter out as spring progresses? Here’s my guess: Color vision is all about the ability to contrast objects against background lighting. Bass eyes peak in the red and green bc green maximizes light in green (vegetated) environments. And red is the contrast color, and one that “shines” in shallow water. Deeper waters tend to shift toward blues btw, which is the peak absorption for trout and salmon, and other deep water, and open water species. I’m wondering if red is so hot bc bass are coming out of “bluer” environments, and those red pigments are… novel, for lack of a better word. They then may become incorporated into shallow water vision after bass have been shallow for a while, diminishing its effect? Pure… reaching for straws here.

 

The other good option -and one that must be reckoned with- is that the “red phenomenon” is a myth passed on over the years. I believe it started in Texas actually, and has since spread… all the way into MY tackle box in recent years. :)) Question is, do I want to spend the time to experiment with “red” this spring? Time rolls by fast this time of year. I do not want to be chasing a… myth. But, I hear experiences like txchasers loud and clear. Glad he’s out doing that and reporting it. I may just join you one year. This year? Hmmmm… I don’t even own any red jerkbaits. I did add some red lipless to the arsenal, and even, just this winter, painted an old chrome Rattl-Trap red with a dark back. It’s in the early spring box, ready to roll.

[Catt]

23 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

Most craws aren't red, unless you boil them.

 

Here in Louisiana & Texas this is the color of most crawfish.

 

But most Bluegill round here have red on the bottom.

 

[scaleface]

As far as chatterbaits , have yet to catch a bass on one, just havent used them much  .I'm going to make a red ,brown and black living rubber skirt and give one a try this spring .

 

  I like red cranks at night , never caught much during the day . I like red worms in medium depth water , never shallow . I have caught a few bass with red bladed spinnerbaits . Thats about it with red for me . 

[DitchPanda]

Another thing id add for early spring colors especially for lipless is I've had decent success on red but have had much better luck on gold black back...until last year I only had moderate success with lipless but I had a day early spring when the water couldn't have been much over 40 and I thought well they won't eat this thing but I'm gonna chuck it anyway... In a matter of a few hours I caught 8 or 10 bass between 2 and 4lbs including 5 in 6 casts in a spot they were stacked in...gave me the confidence I needed to throw lipless in colors other than shad imitators 

 

Hey BLUEBASSER what trailer are you throwing in that bladed jig? That bright orange color looks intriguing to me

 

[Bankbeater]

I like a red or orange lipless crankbait in murky water anytime of year, but as far as chatterbaits go this time of year I am usually throwing white.

[Bluebasser86]

11 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

Hey BLUEBASSER what trailer are you throwing in that bladed jig? That bright orange color looks intriguing to me

It's a Havoc 4" Devil's Spear in Merthiolate color.

[txchaser]

13 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

I’m wondering if red is so hot bc bass are coming out of “bluer” environments, and those red pigments are… novel, for lack of a better word.

Huh. Interesting. 

13 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

do I want to spend the time to experiment with “red” this spring

YES. 

 

 

[Mbirdsley]

Flo Green head with white and green/chartreuse skirt. Caught a lot of fatty before the water got abouve 50 degrees last year.  Black and silver was also good.  I was using mister twisters curly grubs for trailers.

 

all this red talk has me wanting to make some red chatter baits 

[Paul Roberts]

On 3/8/2020 at 10:46 AM, Catt said:

 

Here in Louisiana & Texas this is the color of most crawfish.

 

But most Bluegill round here have red on the bottom.

 

Aha! So it is a TX thing! My craws are all brown or green. Many, actually come out of winter hibernation, black, having been down in the muck and leaves for some time. I've never seen a "red" crayfish -that wasn't boiled.

On 3/8/2020 at 11:37 AM, DitchPanda said:

Another thing id add for early spring colors especially for lipless is I've had decent success on red but have had much better luck on gold black back...until last year I only had moderate success with lipless but I had a day early spring when the water couldn't have been much over 40 and I thought well they won't eat this thing but I'm gonna chuck it anyway... In a matter of a few hours I caught 8 or 10 bass between 2 and 4lbs including 5 in 6 casts in a spot they were stacked in...gave me the confidence I needed to throw lipless in colors other than shad imitators 

 

Hey BLUEBASSER what trailer are you throwing in that bladed jig? That bright orange color looks intriguing to me

 

Gold black back! That's the one I just painted red! Do I need to go out and buy some gold/blk again??? :))

[Jermination]

On 3/8/2020 at 12:41 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

Reds and oranges are solid choices early in the year. This one is one that I do and it's always a good choice early in the year. Only thing they'd eat in the pond I fished earlier this week.

we call that tellico craw around here. great color 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Paul Roberts said:

Aha! So it is a TX thing! My craws are all brown or green. Many, actually come out of winter hibernation, black, having been down in the muck and leaves for some time. I've never seen a "red" crayfish -that wasn't boiled.

 

Ya looking at them through Colorado eyes, I'm looking at em through southern eyes!

 

Y'all wanna do a test on the color red that doesn't deal with imitating crawfish?

 

For those of y'all who throw Flukes, especially Pearl White & White Ice or weightless Texas Rigged Senkos in similar colors.

 

Take a Spike It Dip-N-Glo Marker Fire Red & paint just the head about 1/4-3/8".

 

Chunk that & report back ?

[Jermination]

On 3/8/2020 at 11:24 AM, Paul Roberts said:

Good thread.

 

I have never been a "red" guy. Like tbone, I've been a natural colors guy in spring mostly. And I've always used chartreuse as my "light bulb" color. And I catch fish. In fact, in spring, everything seems to catch... something. But, I've been listening to guys like txchaser, and others, who seem to do better on red. I am curious how chartreuse stacks up against red.

 

The vision thing I was talking about has to do with a change in visual pigments in fish coming out of winter. Nothing has been done on bass that I'm aware of on this. But trout and salmon were found to shift their visual pigments to better cover longer wavelengths (reds) as they come shallow in spring. Bass also migrate from deep to shallow in spring, although to a lesser extent. So... it's not only possible, but... mebbe... even likely that bass shift their vision capabilities toward the reds as they move into the shallows.

 

Why is red hot so early? And then seems to peter out as spring progresses? Here’s my guess: Color vision is all about the ability to contrast objects against background lighting. Bass eyes peak in the red and green bc green maximizes light in green (vegetated) environments. And red is the contrast color, and one that “shines” in shallow water. Deeper waters tend to shift toward blues btw, which is the peak absorption for trout and salmon, and other deep water, and open water species. I’m wondering if red is so hot bc bass are coming out of “bluer” environments, and those red pigments are… novel, for lack of a better word. They then may become incorporated into shallow water vision after bass have been shallow for a while, diminishing its effect? Pure… reaching for straws here.

 

The other good option -and one that must be reckoned with- is that the “red phenomenon” is a myth passed on over the years. I believe it started in Texas actually, and has since spread… all the way into MY tackle box in recent years. :)) Question is, do I want to spend the time to experiment with “red” this spring? Time rolls by fast this time of year. I do not want to be chasing a… myth. But, I hear experiences like txchasers loud and clear. Glad he’s out doing that and reporting it. I may just join you one year. This year? Hmmmm… I don’t even own any red jerkbaits. I did add some red lipless to the arsenal, and even, just this winter, painted an old chrome Rattl-Trap red with a dark back. It’s in the early spring box, ready to roll.

they absolutely choke red here in east tennessee. More often than not these months i will throw red when the sun is out & chart/shad when its overcast. It's not always the case but the sun brings the crawfish out and moving as far as i know. also when i'm catching fish on red you can tell what they're eating by looking at the upper lip, usually looks like they have a little lipstick on. I don't throw red much deeper than 8 feet. any time of year. If the fish are running shad shallow I will tie something red on just to be a little different, but usually when it's like that they will hit a spinnerbait just as well

[Paul Roberts]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Take a Spike It Dip-N-Glo Marker Fire Red & paint just the head about 1/4-3/8".

 

Chunk that & report back ?

Sounds like Ned's favorite jig head color for his Ned Rig: red.

[DitchPanda]

Oh I'm not saying you gotta go but any...but I would! I caught more fish on gold black back lipless in a two week period than I did the rest of the year in all other colors combined.

[txchaser]

Well, this red thing turned out interesting, at least for me. Red bite is still on in Texas in the hyper-clear hill country water. Hooked a stump with a chatterbait this morning, turned out to not be a stump. Have switched to a delta red rage menace to make it brighter red... haven't experimented enough to tell if there is a real difference between that and the falcon red. Of course, it's all worked well enough long enough it's hard to go back and test whether they are caring about color at all anyway.

 

Reddish and orange-ish jig trailers have been winning the days over GP too.

[Bluebasser86]

17 minutes ago, txchaser said:

Well, this red thing turned out interesting, at least for me. Red bite is still on in Texas in the hyper-clear hill country water. Hooked a stump with a chatterbait this morning, turned out to not be a stump. Have switched to a delta red rage menace to make it brighter red... haven't experimented enough to tell if there is a real difference between that and the falcon red. Of course, it's all worked well enough long enough it's hard to go back and test whether they are caring about color at all anyway.

 

Reddish and orange-ish jig trailers have been winning the days over GP too.

It's almost like the fish don't read these rule books we try to write for them ?

 

Once you start stepping outside the box, you realize there's this whole world of fish that is ready to be caught that lots of fishermen never access because they're trying to follow the rules and fish like the book tells them to instead of how the fish want them to.

[ChrisD46]

*At what month after water warm up do you move away from the red / orange colors on to other colors such as shad , pearl white , green pumpkin , black & blue , etc. ?