Like The Combo Of Flake That Shine Against A Darker Background

[Senkosam]

The minnow type grub I pour has worked very well based on its action tail for over three years and having experimented with different colors, have come to the conclusion that only a few will do. In particular are two colors or I should say, brightness variations, that pretty much cover light availability and lure contrast against a background.

 

White and white pearl with or without .015 silver flakes is the brightest opaque color I use. The other may be considered just as contrasting when using glitter that flashes through a transparent / translucent plastic. The two plastic colors I've become fond of are very light green pumpkin and the bleeding of violet flakes on the second reheat creating an iridescent color plastic - a brownish/reddish color. The flakes that stand out in both are .035 chartreuse flakes, .040 black flakes and in particular, .015 green lime or Kelly green flakes as the major color.

 

Along with subtle tail action is the minute flash of flakes that provokes bites from small and larger fish. A few days ago I decided to up the size minnow from 2" to 3" rigged on a 1/8 oz. ball head jig vs. a 1/16 oz. The fish were larger on average and in greater numbers. Five species hit the lure and the strikes were aggressive enough to be detected easily.

 

Now, I can't speculate that the colors mentioned had more or less contributed to my successful day, but as with anything lure related, I chose to believe that lure contrast coupled with the right action, presentation, etc. are key to provoking a sedentary fish into attacking. I also chose to believe that most fish we catch are sedentary until provoked and once provoked, can not easily turn off the attack mode as indicated by a missed fish being caught on the second or third retrieve.

 

The right lure, the right place, the right presentation and possibly the right color and color contrast are all that's needed to catch fish day after day. As far as matching a forage's color, I leave that for others (who believe) to pattern lure and color choices after what may or may not be the prevalent forage in color or shape.

Edited August 24, 2014 by Senkosam

[bryanmc]

We all know smoke sparkle never worked on the river...  LOL

[Senkosam]

Amazing how a little goes a looong way!

[MonteSS]

Yup these dont work at all

 

[alsworms]

That's a dynamite little worm, right there! 

[Bassinfool]

Such a simple design but I can't tell you how many fish I have caught on a 4.25" slick willy. Definitely one of my favorite baits.

[Senkosam]

Proves that less is best much of the time :

less opacity / more translucence

less in length or thickness or overall bulk

less hardness

less speed or slower fall (via lure design)

less action (via lure design)

less glitter for a more subtle flash

less weight needed to get the lure to a desired working depth

less pound test for better lure action

[MonteSS]

First pic is LC gunmetal

 

Do-it 015 gunmetal is a great one too. More blue and very sparkly. Great back color for baitfish imitations

 

Edited August 26, 2014 by MonteSS

[Senkosam]

Consider trying this out based on the fact that reheated plastic always changes color every time it's reheated over 300 degrees.

 

Once the plastic starts to darken and the flakes start to shrink to the extent of not being anything like the original color, cut a chunk off and put it in a cup with new plastic added along with new glitter. What you'll get is a tint of colored plastic that makes the lure appear three dimensional depending on viewing angle and light source and that the glitter now has a window to flash. Tints will usually be on the brownish side but they can be modified somewhat by only a drop or two of another color. As you can see, depending on angle and background, color and color intensity varies - just like with real forage.

 

 

 

[Travis]

Less is best ....... I am afraid you would have to add less fish to the list on many water ways.