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July 13, 2008

Ken Maurer's Inside Line column: Successful angling not black and white

By Ken Maurer

One of the things in fishing that is often not discussed is lure color.

Most serious anglers believe that lure color is a critical component of fishing success. There are times when color isn't all that important, but often color can mean the difference between catching 10 fish and one fish. Color can be important in both hardbaits and soft plastics.

Of course, according to "In Fishermen's" critical concepts, location and presentation are foremost. But when you get those first two items nailed down, lure color can be the next determining factor in success.

I always liked the Lindners' simplification of the color question: either they need to see it, or they don't. What this means is that if the water is dirty or stained, use a bright color like chartreuse or orange. If the water is clear, use a natural color like green or brown.

Of course, there are a host of other colors that work in various conditions. Black and white are universal colors that can work in almost any condition. In recent years, green pumpkin and watermelon have become extremely popular colors in soft plastics. They are very natural colors that work well in clear to moderately stained water.

Different companies have slightly different versions of colors, and there are various glitter colors added to further provide variations to the point where we drive our wives nuts having to constantly buy more tackle, just in case.

I have seen cases where a slight color change meant a huge difference:

n Case 1: Two guys throwing the same spinnerbait, except the silver and gold blades were reversed. The large-gold, small-silver arrangement was catching one after another, while the large-silver, small-gold was going hitless. A switch to exactly the same spinnerbait and bingo, fish on. It could easily go the other way the next day.

n Case 2: Two guys standing side-by-side, throwing rapalas after dark for walleye. One has the vampire pattern, one has the shiner pattern.

The vampire pattern is a little shinier and has a red head, but they are very similar. I've seen this go either way, to the point where one guy has a limit and the other guy has nothing.

I guess the point is, don't be afraid to try different lures and colors until you find out what they want that day. And remember, the next day might be different. Light penetration, water color and water clarity all play a part in what a fish sees.

There are some old standbys that work under various conditions. A silver-and-black jointed rebel minnow usually catches fish, but the gold one seems to work better for me when the water is dirty. A green pumpkin tube will almost always catch fish. Motoroil twisters are always good for a couple fish; if they don't work, smoke will. When it's tough, a green pumpkin or watermelon senko is usually good for some action.

Color seems less important in topwater lures, but everybody has their favorite. The old adage is that any color topwater lure works, as long as it's black. Look in any angler's tackle box and you are likely to see a rainbow of colors. We have to be prepared, and even the weirdest looking lure has claimed at least one victim.

n Email comments to kenrose@tds.net

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