Does shine matter?

[ldzoller]

All,

Love this site, learning everyday and fun, too. I was reading a later post about coating a mold to make the bait shiny. Now, I realize coating the molds make the baits release, but does the shininess of the bait really matter to the fish? Has anyone noticed or tested dull baits vs. shiny baits? I'm not trying to be a smarta$$, just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks.

[earthworm77]

I would say it likely doesn't matter to the fish. But then again, like color, I guess it only matters when it matters.

[longhorn]

My opinion is that the shine is for us...not the fish. Most fish in the water appear to have a completely flat non-reflective surface...we've all seen fish in an aquarium...so a dull finish bait should look more natural. But who knows how the fish sees it? Interesting subject.

[SwampBaits]

It only matters to the customer or fisherman using it. Look at Poor Boy Baits, most of their lures have that dull silicone mold finish to them....but they fish and sell just as well as shiny baits.

[VARick]

I've had success with shiny and dull finish baits. One company seems to be putting out a dull finish now. I'll have to check the company name, the guide I went out with gave me a handfull of them after we hammered the reds all day.

Rick

All,

Love this site, learning everyday and fun, too. I was reading a later post about coating a mold to make the bait shiny. Now, I realize coating the molds make the baits release, but does the shininess of the bait really matter to the fish? Has anyone noticed or tested dull baits vs. shiny baits? I'm not trying to be a smarta$$, just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks.

[Boskabouter]

I guess in deep waters it doesn't matter because the shine has nothing to reflect at. Same goes for colour I think. In shallow waters it may make the difference though I'm not completely convinced yet.

In Holland this subject is much discussed about. How much do colours and glitter affect the fish. Like I said, below certain depths I guess It's completely dark and fish intend more to hunt on scent and action.

On the other hand I'm not a biologist....

[Senkosam]

Good Question! I guess all of us have been so used to seeing gloss finish lures of all kinds, we assume that it looks better. But to who or what?

LC stick molds were my first 8 years ago and man did they catch fish! All baits came out dull until I started coating the cavities with Original Fish formula oil, which produces a shiny finish.

But as EW says, "it matters when it matters", meaning some days you just feel like casting shiny lures of a certain color; other days it doesn't seem to matter. Pretty much a human thing.

But one thing to keep in mind if you're a believer that color and surface reflection matters at times. Shiny surfaces sparkle as sunlight hits it; flat surfaces absorb light. So in a sense, with shiny lures you get sparkle and color; with flat colors, all you get is color. But like Boskabouter says, depth and water clarity matter - the deeper you go and the murkier the water, the less light (spectrum) reaches the lure, the more colors are absorbed by suspended particles or vegetation and the less source-light is reflected from a glossy surface and at different angles as the lure moves.

Does the slime coat of a prey fish sparkle reflected light or is it the silver scales or florescent colors (y.perch) that produce the visual effect? Does it matter as long as the bait's vibration and action speak loudly!?

Would you, with confidence, cast dark colored crankbaits or spinnerbaits with dull chrome blades or a crankbait with a flat surface? But think about it: white and colored blades are flat, as are most traditional fire tiger (Bomber, Heddon) finishes, so maybe shine doesn't matter for brightly colored crankbaits after all. (BTW, I've painted cranks gloss white and have had little luck. ) I'm sure many of us has used clear soft plastic sticks and crankbaits with great success. I have, but feel they might not have worked as well with a dull finish.

One thing last to consider: what is it a fish sees looking up at a bait? It seems to me that more light is transmitted through a shiny translucent bait (opaque baits aren't included in this train of thought). Dull baits might appear to be like looking through slightly frosted glass (which is the reason I no longer flour-grind salt to add weight). The effect I usually want is colored light contained by shape to be seen, which uncut fine salt crystals allows. If the bait is strictly to be used on bottom or at night, dark and dull are fine (ie. living rubber skirts).

There's no final answer to the question except that if it matters to you or the customer, it matters.

[nova]

Very good question.

Without getting into a very long ramble; I'll say this.

In this game of making baits for sale, the first thing we are fishing for is the fisherman, because if he doesn't buy the bait; the fish never sees it. In other words; I don't think the fish gives a diddly damn if the bait looks shiney in your hand or not.

www.novalures.com

[Boskabouter]

In addition to my former post I would like to mention that there's one thing I do believe in. When I go pikefishing in clear water and the weather is also bright I use dark coloured baits. If the water is muddy and the weather is cloudy I use bright coloured baits.

So I guess it also has to do with which type of fish you're after.

Sight hunters or scent/action hunters.