Fishermanbt Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Been searching on here, several other boards, and Google but I can't seem to find anything concerning a recipe. I see there are several natural colors that they exhibit but I'm leaning toward what I mainly see on the New River in WV. A darker/dull brown or a dull off black if that makes sense. I have tried LC motor oil, LC/x2 green pumpkin, LC/x2 watermelon, and shades of black but just not hitting the mark. Thinking I might have to look at using some hi lites. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 When I was a kid we caught them for smallmouth bait and they were all black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) I have used LC chocolate brown as the main color and adjusted with avocado green and drops of black to get the muted color. The X2 colorant from Do it in watermelon brown will also get you there and have to adjust to darken. Some floured salt will also help get that "muddy dull" effect. Edited January 13, 2016 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Look at your stream beds. They live in cracks between rocks, so they are dark, to blend in with the shadows. Having one a little lighter might help it stand out and get eaten better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Ones I have seen were black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Ones I have seen were black. Me, too, but maybe we get too preoccupied with trying to exactlymatch the hatch, and forget that fish are looking for food, so anything that stands out will probably get a sampling. I've caught trout on a mosquito fly in the middle of a mayfly hatch. I think the reason that most living things are the color they are is that it helps them survive. In the case of hellgrammites, being black or extremely dark helps them to not be noticed, and eaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick reif Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 I would just go with black, but a buddy wants to shoot some in a mudpie color. Dark brown with black and red flake. We'll do it if that's what he wants, but black works for me. I think a 3" stick is the best hellgrammite imitator there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dat Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 The color that I have had the best luck with has been watermelon red flake, bar none. You would think that it would be black but that just hasn't been the case. Watermelon Red Flake, try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishermanbt Posted March 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Thanks. I will try that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archery1 Posted March 23, 2016 Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 I think bt has a hellgy mold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FATFLATTIE Posted March 23, 2016 Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 So does Enforcer Bait Molds. Well It may be more of a nymph but it is a little buggy looking bait and I'm sure the bass wouldn't mind either bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braided Line Posted March 23, 2016 Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 I just googled your question................Great pic`s available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishermanbt Posted March 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 I too have looked at many pictures listed on Google and Bing searches. I'm just trying to figure out a color recipe to get a close color. The real thing has a kind of dull brownish/black color. Not sure if highlights or pearl powder would create the effect I'm looking for since I don't have any. I've tried several combinations but nothing has turned out as acceptable to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
