Red Vs. Plain

[MichiganFisherman]

Based on your experience, do you get more or less or the same strikes with "bleeding" red hooks?  I can't say I've noticed any more action with them than without them but, that's just me.  

[VolFan]

I actually feel like I get less action with them; I think they're more smoke than fire.

[Triton9]

to answer your question honestly, some days i do seem to see more sucess with baits with a red or red hooks,and some days i dont. most of those cases being which that in 90 percent of the bass i caught in that day, they were caught on the red hook,and not on the back hook which was not a bleeding hook.i typically use one red hook on my baits, instead of two.i seem to have more success that way.i will put the bleeding hook as the front hook on things like cranks and poppers, because if they are keying on the red, then they are more likely to get the whole bait if that hook is located in the middle of the bait.but i don't usually use the red hooks anymore, because i did not see a significant enough difference in catch success.hope this helps

[eyedabassman]

No I can't say one is better than another! But one thing is you pay more money for the red hooks and the red comes off after awhile!

I do think red in Baits,like spinnerbaits crankbaits,swimbaits ,ect can make a differance.

[Bass_junky]

Age old debate.  I would ask the question: if the red color spectrum is invisible in the deep, how could it catch more fish??

:-/

[Triton9]

Age old debate. I would ask the question: if the red color spectrum is invisible in the deep, how could it catch more fish??

:-/

this is true,but it depends on many factors.but, the near invisiblity of the red in deep waters means the red hooks are less likely to be seen by the fish  

[Big Tom]

One of my fishin' buddies loves red hooks but I prefer good ol' nickel or black coating on mine.  Some days he catches more and other days I catch the majority.  

If they give you more confidence then use them.  

When I am buying replacement hooks, I will never purchase red.  I just don't like the way they look.  If a bait already comes with a high quality red hook I will leave it there until its time to switch..but it has to be high quality.

I personally do not think they work any better overall.

[J Francho]

There are at least a dozen variables in the riddle of what the bass will bite that I will attempt to solve before hook color even enters my radar. 99% of my hooks are nickel or black nickel.

Think location before thinking hook color.

[Dogface]

I'll let you know if red is better than black as soon as I figure what color works best on my lures.....don't wait up.

[drop-shot fool]

I say if a bass is going to hit the lure than he is going to hit the lure no matter what color hook you have.  The only time i use a red hook is on topwater baits like a sammy or spook.

[mike bat]

no not again

[roadwarrior]

no not again

Gotta do this every couple of months...

Red hook strike improvement rating:  -0-

8-)

[T-Bone]

It all depends on what the bass are wanting.  Some days they tear the red hook baits to pieces, other days they won't give it a second look.

[Bankbeater]

I have never noticed a difference one way or the other.

[guitarkid]

In my neck of the woods it seems like red hooks are almost the only ones you can find, but it does'nt matter to me I just like the way they look.

                        -gk

[Bass Dude]

Age old debate. I would ask the question: if the red color spectrum is invisible in the deep, how could it catch more fish??

:-/

this is true,but it depends on many factors.but, the near invisiblity of the red in deep waters means the red hooks are less likely to be seen by the fish

If your speaking of the invisibilty of red line, thats due to the combination of the red color and the qualities of the monofilament.  Because light can pass through it, it becomes invisible.  With hooks, the light can not pass throught the metal and therefore reflects the  light, similar to the flash on a spinnerbait blade.  And since they're red the reflected light is red.

[Wayne P.]

Once again marketing and ignorance is influencing some of your "preceptions" of red objects disappearing. Here are the facts:

"Understanding how colors change at different depths and in different conditions is the first step, understanding what they change to and how to work with that is the next. In clear water, if you go down far enough a red object either appears unlighted or black. This makes since as clear water absorbs red light and eventually you can reach a depth where no red light reaches the object. The same thing could happen to a blue object in coastal waters, it could appear black. Even though red is absorbed faster in clear water and blue in coastal waters, all the colors are absorbed in water, just at different rates. So the farther you go down the less color is perceived. Plus, the further down you go different color objects all start to look the same color, the color they all look like tends to be the color that is best perceived in that water condition. For instance, if it was clear water, at a certain depth all the objects would start to look gray. So even before you reach a depth deep enough to make colors look black you can get easily confused between the different colors."

[Bass Dude]

So, all those colors of DD22's I have I don't need!!! .....and I wasted all that $$!!!

[jack1]

The red factor question again.  I find it contradicting one another how fish will see the red hooks better and yet at the same time red lines are near invisible.  I don't buy into it.

Personally, I do not see any improvements using red hooks and prefer using normal hooks.  Plus I really hate how the red color chips off the hook.  

[fishinfiend]

I have found no difference. Besides, the red paint chips off very easily.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

to answer your question honestly, some days i do seem to see more sucess with baits with a red or red hooks,and some days i dont. most of those cases being which that in 90 percent of the bass i caught in that day, they were caught on the red hook,and not on the back hook which was not a bleeding hook.i typically use one red hook on my baits, instead of two.i seem to have more success that way.i will put the bleeding hook as the front hook on things like cranks and poppers, because if they are keying on the red, then they are more likely to get the whole bait if that hook is located in the middle of the bait.but i don't usually use the red hooks anymore, because i did not see a significant enough difference in catch success.hope this helps

I agree with this post.  I don't bother to put red hooks on my crankbaits any more either, but do still use the ones with the red hooks.

[Raul]

Red hooks make all the difference in the pocket when you find them 50 cents cheaper per pack than blue/black hooks. If you purchase one or two packs it makes no difference at all, but when you purchase hooks Raul style ......  

[CWB]

Age old debate. I would ask the question: if the red color spectrum is invisible in the deep, how could it catch more fish??

:-/

As I remember, red is the first color that disappears in the water column. Hence the Cajun Red line that was supposed to be the next  big thing in line. Even Powerpro comes in red. That being said, not sure it helps but probably can't hurt either.  There must be something to the blood red theory. Fish are animals and target easy meals and if red means something is bleeding and week, it might just be the trigger.

[dave]

I have found no difference. Besides, the red paint chips off very easily.

I know a guide that says the only good quality is that the paint chips off and they are a nice shiny bronze underneath.

[MichiganFisherman]

I figured this has been done before but, I haven't been around in a couple months and it's just something I've wanted to get input on from other anglers. I agree that the location, bait, and action play the biggest part in catching the fish but, that's not what we're here to talk about. Thanks for all the replies. I guess this is one of those 'can't hurt, can only help' kinda things.