Painted vs. Unpainted Jig Heads?

[Ogajiga]

This might be a previously discussed issue but I couldn't find it searching the site archives. Lately other aspects of a commercial casting bizness keep me too busy to paint so I mostly use unpainted jig heads for my recreational fishing. Am wondering though if I'm shorting myself because painted heads work better? How about eyes?

[BLT]

I have seen many guys using unpainted jigs, and catching just as many fish as anyone else around them. What you have on the jig, and presentation may be more important.

[jigmaster]

some people swear by color, some dont. I have used unpainted plenty, and have caught fish, plenty.

It may be a confidence thing for some anglers. I personally think confidence in your presentation is more important than color.

remember, most lures are designed to catch fishermen, and not fish.

regards

jm

www.daimonlures.com

[cadman]

I'll have to agree with all the posts above. However, I do sell a lot of painted jigs versus un-painted. Color definitely sells fisherman. For those that buy my un-painted jigs, they paint and dress them themselves.

[lilcraw]

A sucessfull fisherman knows it all boils down the DEPTH AND SPEED. that is something hard for most to understand and apply. Color has no bearing. But thank God for the most of you who keep my bills paid. Concetrate more on Depth and Speed and leave the pretty colors to the to the weekend warriors.

[rr316]

90% of the time I would agree with you, I have how ever had instance where color was the difference. I am very attentive to my presentation, and other factors that are going on when I am fishing and have seen fish be very selective on color before. My jigs are almost always painted, but 90% of the time it probably dont matter, today for instance was fishing big dumb largemouth in pads, throwing watermelon stickbaits and ran out (or so I thought) switched over to pumpkin sticks and couldn't buy a bite when 2 minutes ago the fish were hot. the sticks are poured the exact same have the exact same rof, scent , salt , etc. dug around in my boat and found more watermelon sticks and within 2 casts had another fish on and resumed catching again. The whole time I was in the same area fishing the same depth and the lures have the exact some rate of fall! Was all color! and thats largemouth, tell a walleye fisherman that color don't matter once, they might die from laughter

[basskillr]

For me color only makes a difference on heads in ultra clear water. On one lake that I fish the water is sometimes aquarium clear during the spring spawn, and in that situation I go as far as putting a splash of chart. on the back of the head so that it will flash when I hop it off the bottom. Other than that, normally as long as they can see it they will hit it!

[Darkman]

our lakes are hear (So. Cali) can get gin clear, so color is important

but I use basic colors for jigs, nothing real fancy...Brown, Black, Purple green and white for a swilm jig.

it sorta like scent....does it help...if you believe it does then your going use it.

Location, dept, forage, temp...ect.....all important

color comes in to play when the fish need that little extra to "convince" them to bite.

I like a plain dart head...seems to work best for me

but I do like a green shakey head no matter what color worm I use

with out trying to sound to...spaced out

it all important....but none of it is

[basskillr]

I really think that the biggest factor in colors is confidence. If you think you are catching fish because you are using green heads, then you are. Making my own jigs and soft plastics has really taught me that 90% of catching fish is having enough confidence in your lure to throw it all day, and to know that if you aren't catching them they just aren't there. That keeps me searching until I find fish that will cooperate and drastically reduces the amount of time I spend digging through the tackle box. Whether you use painted or unpainted heads really doesn't matter nearly as much as your confidence in the bait.

[willie525]

i believe color can make a difference in like the base like black, blue, white gray, ect. but not as much as profile and presentation.

[cadman]

90% of the time I would agree with you, I have how ever had instance where color was the difference. I am very attentive to my presentation, and other factors that are going on when I am fishing and have seen fish be very selective on color before. My jigs are almost always painted, but 90% of the time it probably dont matter, today for instance was fishing big dumb largemouth in pads, throwing watermelon stickbaits and ran out (or so I thought) switched over to pumpkin sticks and couldn't buy a bite when 2 minutes ago the fish were hot. the sticks are poured the exact same have the exact same rof, scent , salt , etc. dug around in my boat and found more watermelon sticks and within 2 casts had another fish on and resumed catching again. The whole time I was in the same area fishing the same depth and the lures have the exact some rate of fall! Was all color! and thats largemouth, tell a walleye fisherman that color don't matter once, they might die from laughter

You're right about the walleye fishermen. All the walleye guys I sell jigs to buy the colored ones. Usually one color, and all bright. I can testify to some of this, because I fish for sauger and walley in Wisc, and IL on both rivers. When I jig a pink or ylw chart. jig tipped with a fat head, these fish slam those jigs. I've jigged one rod in one hand with an unpaintd jig and minnow, and another rod in the other hand with a colored jig and minnow. Same identical rods, line and jigs, except for color. The colored one seems to draw more strikes. Call it confidence or whatever, but for walleyes, I do believe color matters.