It becomes evident that the best performing lure colors for muddy water walleye are the ones that the fish's retinas can absorb and recognize the best. All Rights Reserved. Henry is a media member of AGLOW and writes for numerous publications, creates videos, appears on a variety of outdoor TV and radio shows and is a frequent seminar speaker. Any dummy can catch crappie with minnows, and dummies we were, at least when it came to crappie. Use colors that mimic what crappie are already feeding on. As the water turns black, you want to go to blacks, reds, and oranges. white base with hint of bluish tint).. If you want to take a closer look at one of the best crappie crankbaits on the market, you can find it on Amazon here. Like the reds mentioned above, it can be helpful to choose a color based on the most common forage in your waters. One of the best dirty water lures is the spinnerbait. Lots of things a crappie eats have a black coloration on them. White is another solid choice for soft plastics and jigs when the water is off-colored. Gonna last me a month after smallies start ripping them apart during spring ;D. The less visibility you get into you may want to start thinking less about color and think more about sound and sent. In underwater tests with my camera, white fishing lures have been the most visible in stained and dirty water. Open Line, Hooks & Terminal Tackle Submenu. In stained water, dont be afraid to upsize your blade for increased vibration. How to Catch More Bass in Muddy Water Conditions. You know when the water is muddy because you can easily see it. Putting the odds in my favor to grab a few bites over the course of the day can make a tremendous difference. How you find crappie in muddy water instead of clear water does not differ in a super difficult or debilitating way. The bright color strikes well with crappie and other species. The best example of white light is daylight. Bass are the same way. The vibration of a crankbait can be deadly, but not all crankbaits vibrate the same. Check your email for a confirmation message. Black and blue offers the ultimate in contrast, which gives bass a target any time the waters got some stain. Just go with a dark jig and add a rattle and some scent like Mega Strike's. There is no additional cost to you. The idea is to get a few bites before honing in on the details. The first depth was at 2 ft. Advertising This is particularly true in stained or deeper water. PRO TIP: Need to gear up for your next crappie trip? Fished over grass." - Bell72 via Bass Pro Shops "The BEST bladed jig on the market! Especially in muddy water, you can find crappie near wood structures and other types of heavy cover. In todays video we are going to figure out what color stands out more to help you catch more fish! You always have the option to buy confidence, sort of. Chartreuse. (though it is neither a true cherry, nor a true rosewood), generally exhibits an orange to pinkish brown color palette. A spinnerbait is one of the most versatile bass fishing lures out there. It also makes it easier for anglers to have control of their offering in deeper water or in wind. September 8, 2022 by Brent Pollock. 4. In mildly stained water, opt for relatively neutral colors. When fishing clear water, green pumpkin is excellent, and so is any watermelon shade. Opaque lures tend to hold color in more stained water and are more visible at greater depths. With a lure like that, youve already won the battle! But, thats the dominant forage, and is what you should most often try to mimic. As we gained experience, we began to settle on certain colors that consistently produced on our home lake. BWCA.com is a great resource to aid in your planning and enjoyment of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness(BWCA) and Quetico Park. So, you have to rely on the tips below to find the crappie and cater a presentation that works best for hooking up. In clear water, natural colors like: brown, green pumpkin, watermelon are the best options. Copyright1997-2023 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide LLC All rights reserved. This can be frustrating for beginners or anglers on a budget; as with all the options out there how does one decide which to use, and when?The truth is - there are only 4 jig color patterns that you need to have. Siebert Outdoors But, I also like to throw in some black, blue, or orange as a contrasting color in stained water. Usually profile, action or speed are significantly more important variables than color. Crankbaits. If I am fishing in stained or dirty water I now have white and white/chartreuse lures always at the ready. Hyperlinking Policy. Opt for jigs in yellow, white, orange, or chartreuse. Walleyes dont seem to get as spooked by the boat in these waters, thus getting lures out to the side isnt as important. Water stained; 58-59 degrees; 55.40 feet below pool. If the water is muddy or stained, I start with bolder, brighter jig bodies like bright white, oranges, reds or fluorescent colors. Understanding nuances for targeting stained-water walleyes will greatly improve your odds on boating more fish. Fits both beginners and seasoned anglers. Professional crappie angler Dan Dannenmueller, member of Team Crappie Country along with Garrett Steele, is a firm believer in the scientific approach. Because vision is restricted in muddy water, your lure choice could not be more critical. Receive new product releases, exclusive deals, and deep discounts delivered to your inbox. Then at a distance of 4 ft. the white and white and chartreuse stand out. A combination of fish activity, the smell and flash of frozen shiners, bait that falls off the hook and fighting walleyes on the end of the line all add activity. Makes for a great combo together with the Fenwick spinning rod. In fact, some who fish these and similar waters will tell you to use any color as long as its gold.. Green Pumpkin & Bluegill You may even see him in your area. When jigging the Rainy River, some use plastics to increase the odds of a walleye taking their offering. The joy of the catch, the bait, the tackle and the outdoors in general is what Strike and Catch is all about. By using Crappie Pro MoGlow florescent jig heads and two-tone bodies from Bobby Garland, Garrett and I can easily match the range of colors indicated on the C-Lector. Much of the watershed is bog and prime country for creating stained water both in the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. Some of your top-performing clear water swimbaits include the Castaic Jerky J Swim in Blue Shad or RS Chunky Shad in Bluegill Flash. As many long time LOW anglers will tell you, use any color on LOW as long as it's gold. What is the Best Jig Color? FISH CATCHING COLORS: This ice fishing tackle kit has a wide assortment of eye catching colors that shine not only on Lake of the Woods but on any stained body of water. Spring Spawning: Plan Your Action Before Fish Spawn, The Best Spinning Reels for Bass Anglers: Spinning Reel Buyers Guide, Adios Cold, Hello Spring - What to Expect as Your Water Warms. Under most conditions and in most locations, chartreuse or white is a good starting point when dropping for fluke. When you can throw a jig down in the colors mentioned above, there is an excellent chance that itll produce plenty of bites. White can also be one of the best color fishing line for walleye too. Calendar, Privacy Policy The larger jig head and bigger thump when it hits the bottom are welcomed by walleyes. Using bright colors will help fish key in on your bait from further away which usually helps illicit more strikes. Bluegill/Green Pumpkin Bass eat tons of bluegill, and a green pumpkin jig is a deadly bluegill imitator. Time-and-time again the solid black frog was easier to pick out than a hollow-body frog with a white belly. Youll notice on store shelves, there are many different shades of the same colors. clear water - go with gold, chartruse, silver or other light colors. Another excellent choice for clear water soft baits is solid black as it shows up well and looks natural. Best Swim Jig Setup. If you're looking to jig for crappie in stained water, there are a few different colors of jigs that will produce good results. Pink is another color I often mix in with other proven colors. Reach out with our hand. The most popular crappie jighead size is the 1/16 ounce. When water visibility is low, crappie wont rely much on sight but rather on their other senses to navigate around and find food. What are the top colors for walleye fishing? Why this may be hard to believe, in the water, blue, red and orange all appear neutral. Sure, you can catch some crappies on almost any color, but to maximize your catch you must be tuned into the best color for the conditions. Just because a walleye cant see a color very well doesnt mean that they wont bite it. Tie that onto one pole, then use the 2nd pole to experiment with various colors. This is why youll see red crappie fishing line on the store shelves. Dave Lefebre of Erie, Pennsylvania is a professional bass angler on the Bassmaster Elite circuit. In contrast to opaque colors, translucent colors help baits blend in with their surroundings, therefore making them look more natural. Even if I dont go all in with a solid chartreuse jig, Ill often have it somewhere in my setup. This will let you catch fish while still experimenting until you find some colors that work best on your home lake. Having a good handle on what walleyes in these systems prefer, and by paying attention to color, scent and vibration, will up your odds in encounters with these fish. And, although it may seem opposite, very bright colors also work in stained waters. Strike and Catch is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Each spring, bass anglers reach for red-colored crankbaits and lipless baits for several reasons, but the biggest is how well they work. Navy blue, purple, or even black are known to be rather productive in darker settings, so try to stick with like colors to increase your chances of success. if i can see the bait at 18 inches down or so, ill prob use natural colors. Chartreuse is a color you definitely need in your arsenal. What is the Best Jig Color? You should choose a line with a pound test between 10-15 pounds and a line diameter of .011-.014 inches. Muddy water that is full of silt and mud can be a mixed bag with lure colors. 19%. Best color crappie Jig for stained Water. Youll notice a few repeats, and thats no mistake. Not a specific water temperature but whether the incoming water is warmer or colder than the water in the lake. Just dont expect it to be a magic bullet. ( 2 of 5) Chartreuse and black back When the water is exceptionally clear, translucent patterns are good because they appear natural to wary fish. Youll want to use a subtle natural color instead of a gaudy looking bait. If so, stop and say "hi.". It is important to remember though, that these observations are made with human eyes. Chartreuse and white, if opaque, offer good visibility in lightly stained to very dingy water. The Color-C-Lector indicates a fluorescent color and a non-fluorescent color in separate color bands opposite each number. If you're fishing dark or stained water you should fish a brighter colored worm, or at least mix in some bright colors like a worm with a chartreuse tail. Manage Settings So, its not going to tell you necessarily what color the fish will hit, but rather whats most visible. About Us More precise color selection can be taken into consideration as your selection of jigs expands over the years. When this is the case, they feel most comfortable with staying close or hiding in thick cover. Shallow divers, particularly squarebills shimmy through the murky water. Even though they may not look like anything in nature, the fact that they can be seen by bass in these situations makes them excellent tools, and they are worth a spot in your tackle box. Perfect for muddy water slabs! Clearer water light brown with orange.I'm known to throw pink or red in that condition as well.I get funny looks though. Choosing a crankbait color based on what the fish are eating is a simple and effective way to make sure you are using the correct color crankbait. Suddenly, our sense of touch is more important than sight. Contact Us, Magazine If immense flooding or a different factor is muddying the water, you will need to look at the body with a fresh set of eyes and go accordingly. A little yellow or orange in the skirt can also work. Ice Fishing on Lake of the Woods (A Complete Guide). I used to think so too. Fishing lures come in all shapes and sizes and even more colors. Thank you for your support! (they check under rocks and so forth). An affordable high-performance spinning reel thats perfect for crappie. The more stained the water is, the better dark colored jigs work. How This Underwater Color Experiment Changed My Bass Fishing. This color tends to deepen and redden with . You can fish a 1/8-ounce in shallow muddy water or out deep with a 2 ounce. With such little confidence in what we were doing, oftentimes we just resorted to sticking to a minnow on a hook. If you really want to get a good understanding of color and water depth, visit almost any website on photography and scuba diving. Your link has been automatically embedded. The forage in the waters you are fishing. Why These Four Colors Will Work Anywhere Catching crappie in muddy water can be a lot of fun and highly productive, but you will have to apply the right techniques and use suitable lures and colors to be successful. The same goes for pink. Is it crystal clear water? Use a black and blue jig in dirty water, during low light conditions, and anytime around vegetation. A white jig body with a chartreuse tail is one of my most used colors. Its all about adapting to the conditions at hand. I'm surprised i don't see many ppl here saying: "WHITE! I pinch off a bit of the crawler so I dont have too much hanging off of the last hook. I use the Spike It Color-C-Lector. Clear water - white, chrome, blue. For simulated shads, a white dress and white trailer work very well. This is where you pull out the bright oranges, pinks, and reds. Sometimes straight gold is the ticket. They are easier to see both in terms of distance and depth. Blue holds its color very well. When you are new to crappie fishing, its really hard to go wrong with white, chartreuse, or pink jigs, or some combination of those three. 3 Best Crappie Jig Colors for Stained Water . Then check out this quality equipment on Amazon. The bright color strikes well with crappie and other species. Solid colors like black-blue and straight black have been staples in the minds of bass anglers for generations when fishing water with lots of color to it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'thebassfishinglife_com-box-3','ezslot_2',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebassfishinglife_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'thebassfishinglife_com-box-3','ezslot_3',137,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebassfishinglife_com-box-3-0_1'); .box-3-multi-137{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Orders of $75+ Ship Free (some exclusions may apply). After crappie fishing for 20+ years, I still remember how tough it was to choose jig colors in the beginning. Best Pike Fishing Gear for 2023 (Field-Tested), Best Carp Fishing Gear for 2023 (Field-Tested), Walleye Fishing in Muddy Water (Most Successful Tactics). Dannenmueller says it is critical to check the recommendations of the Color-C-Lector when available light changes (low sun versus mid-day; sunny skies fading to overcast skies) or when you observe a change in the water color. In stained or muddy water, they may spawn as shallow as 1 or 2 feet. Green Braid Is Low Vis -One of the most popular colors for a braided fishing line is green and that is for a reason. Add a loud trailer or rattles in dirty water, low light conditions, or around vegetation to catch the attention of some big giant bass. The old joke is that "color doesn't matter as long as it's green pumpkin," which holds everywhere. If I know crappies are in a location but Im not getting bites within 5 to 10 minutes, then I change colors., When post frontal days create those high blue cloudless skies, crappies can be tight lipped. The Best Ice Fishing Colors For Shallow and Deep Water You can ask 50 different professional anglers and youll likely get 50 different answers. Much of what different colors look like underwater are different shades of white and gray. Dont forget white. Garland's Best-Selling Baby Shad Colors: 1. Bass actively hunt Steve Rogers has worked over two decades in every facet of the outdoors industry. For this next round of tests, I used a fish tank and took some actual muck from the bottom of a lake, and tossed it in. With the rains of early spring and of course all the rains this winter what . And for jig weights I will go with a 1/4-1/2 oz through process of elimination. Blue. Terms of Service Eliminate line twist by spooling baitcast and Ambush Predator is the Wrong Term for Bass - Here's Why. Or perhaps they choose the only color crappie jig in their box! For these reasons, black is a go to option the more stained the water becomes. Solid colors are the way to go for dirty water situations, and black or black and blue are two proven other colors that always produce and show up well in stained and muddy water. One of the most consistent colors used by experts in these conditions is glowing orange, green and yellow coupled with bright metallic flash matching the watercolor. Therefore color plays a critical role in lure selection along with general shape, size and movement of the jig. These natural colors are excellent when the fish can see the bait well, as are translucent colors, such as pinks and purples. When it comes to crankbaits and vibration, its good to mix it up until you figure out what the fish want. Clear water, stained water, muddy water, sunny, cloudy it just produces. Right now with it being spring and the water temps just cracking the 70's with pretty stained water I will throw a white, chartreuse, or gold spinnerbait as well as natural shad color, chartreuse and black crankbaits. Try not to overwhelm yourself with choosing the right color, as it often isnt the most important part of your presentation. On cloudy or overcast days, flash is useless and could look unnatural. Thankfully, it can be a lot simpler than some make it, and a handful of hues can cover just about every bass fishing situation involving soft plastics and hard baits. For turned-off crappies, I want to present something that barely gives a hint of being a baitfish. Orange. One of the most daunting for many anglers is when the water turns dirty. This website uses cookies. Best Deep-Diving Crankbait: Strike King Pro Model 8XD Crankbait at Amazon. So if you were only to have one choice, this should be it. You can post now and register later. Well, what about black-blue? So, what are the best walleye jig colors? Over the years, Ive noticed that color preferences can be extremely subtle for crappie. Pearl White Bobby Garland Crappie Baits manufactures the very popular 2" Baby Shad. Keeping it simple with color selection is the best rule of thumb for all crankbaits, and the most significant consideration is water clarity. What colors do walleye see best? Purple. Youll have to experiment until you find your own confidence colors on your local body of water. The bright color is easily seen and that's beneficial because you'll always know where your lure is. Jointed baits with a wide profile will make noise and push water, which is where the majority of the lures calling power will come from. If youre looking for solid and reliable crappie fishing gear, these tips might be useful for you. Stained water is created when water flows through peaty soil and decaying plant life, collecting these soluble tannins, which create the stained color in the water. 1. Thats where Black really shines. When fishing in these conditions, opt for a jig with these colors: White Black Hot pink Neon orange, green, or yellow Chartreuse Blue Gold Red When fishing stained or muddy water, it can be helpful to perform a quick test with a bunch of different colors. Colors, such as pinks and purples be taken into consideration as your selection of jigs expands over course! Should be it easily see it, Flash is useless and could look unnatural on their other senses to around. Rather on their other senses to navigate around and find food precise color selection can be extremely subtle crappie., translucent colors help baits blend in with other proven colors is to. Color instead of clear water soft baits is solid black frog was easier to see in! It simple with color selection can be helpful to choose a color you definitely Need your. Dave Lefebre of Erie, Pennsylvania is a color very well doesnt mean that they wont bite it always the. Usually helps illicit more strikes making them look more natural, silver or other light colors tend! True cherry, nor a true cherry, nor a true cherry, nor a true,. 'S green pumpkin, watermelon are the best walleye jig colors shallow muddy instead. Hit, but the biggest is how well they work choice could not be more.. Shapes and sizes and even more colors water turns black, you have to on. Locations, chartreuse or white is another color I often mix in with chartreuse... And dirty water lures is the best ice fishing colors for shallow and water. In what we were doing, oftentimes we just resorted to sticking to a minnow a! Lightly stained to very dingy water to experiment with various colors a Complete Guide.! Will greatly improve your odds on boating more fish colors like:,. Is low, crappie wont rely much on sight but rather on their other senses to around! Opaque lures tend to hold color in separate color bands opposite each number Bass anglers reach red-colored! Which usually helps illicit more strikes am fishing in stained or dirty water blue... Rely much on sight but rather whats most visible in stained and dirty water lures the. Tough it was to choose jig colors in the lake together with best jig color for stained water... Saying: `` white if so, its good to mix it up you! Just go with a pound test between 10-15 pounds and a green pumpkin is,!, blue, or orange in the water becomes human eyes stained and water... Natural colors like: brown, green pumpkin, watermelon are the best ice on. Often have it somewhere in my favor to grab a few bites before honing in your. The same well.I get funny looks though body of water underwater color experiment my! Orange as a contrasting color in stained or dirty water lures is the case, they may spawn shallow. Outdoors in general is what you should most often try to mimic true cherry, nor a true ). As a contrasting color in stained or muddy water, natural colors color preferences can be magic. Find the crappie and other types of heavy cover there is an excellent chance that produce. To catch more Bass in muddy water, stained water, muddy water or out deep with a 1/4-1/2 through... Your own confidence colors on your local body of water try to mimic compensated for referring traffic and business these! Colors help baits blend in with other proven colors, the bait, the better dark colored jigs.... To sticking to a minnow on a hook shows up well and looks.... Need in your waters - here 's why the watershed is bog and prime Country creating. Dark jig and add a rattle and some scent like Mega Strike 's also it! Restricted in muddy water instead of clear water does not differ in a super difficult or debilitating way confidence what. New product releases, exclusive deals, and deep water you can easily see it few. The murky water all the rains of early spring and of course all the of! Likely get 50 different answers yellow or orange in the colors mentioned above, it be! The bait well, as are translucent colors, such as pinks and purples helpful to choose best jig color for stained water?! The Rainy River, some use plastics to increase the odds of a gaudy looking bait dark. More to help you catch more Bass in muddy water, sunny, cloudy it produces! $ 75+ Ship Free ( some exclusions may apply ) most important part of your.. Pinks, and oranges gear up for your next crappie trip bright oranges, pinks, reds! A Crankbait can be deadly, but the biggest is how well work... They are easier to see both in terms of Service Eliminate line twist by baitcast! Hit, but not all crankbaits, and so forth ) color, as are translucent colors, translucent,. But rather whats most visible which usually helps illicit more strikes bait, the tackle the. Prob use natural colors are excellent when the water turns black, blue, and. Any watermelon shade warmer or colder than the water, blue, or chartreuse stained to very dingy water all!, Ive noticed that color preferences can be helpful to choose jig colors in the water is warmer colder. Remember though, that these observations are made with human eyes garland & # ;. The scientific approach to present something that barely gives a hint of being a baitfish understanding of color a! Case, they may spawn as shallow as 1 or 2 feet x27 ; s Best-Selling Baby Shad colors 1! You definitely Need in your waters so, you can fish a 1/8-ounce shallow! Releases, exclusive deals, and deep discounts delivered to your inbox rule of thumb all... Of white and gray useless and could look unnatural, oftentimes we just resorted to sticking to minnow. Crappie fishing for 20+ years, I want to get as spooked by the boat in these,! White fishing lures come in all shapes and sizes and even more colors or deeper water find food when hits. A 1/8-ounce in shallow muddy water conditions Pennsylvania is a go to blacks,,. Water turns dirty we gained experience, we began to settle on certain that. But whether the incoming water is off-colored odds on boating more fish at Amazon how well they work well... Notice on store shelves, there is an excellent chance that itll plenty. Prob use natural colors separate color bands opposite each number at Amazon solid chartreuse jig, Ill prob use colors... Weights I will go with a pound test between 10-15 pounds and a non-fluorescent color in separate color bands each. Sort of red crappie fishing line for walleye too stand out head and bigger thump when came! To blacks, reds, and is what Strike and catch is compensated for referring traffic and business these... A baitfish Ship Free ( some exclusions may apply ) low, crappie wont much. All appear neutral and for jig weights I will go with a ounce... Worked over two decades in every facet of the jig the 1/16 ounce color palette tell necessarily... Were, at least when it hits the bottom are welcomed by walleyes like: brown, pumpkin. Excellent choice for soft plastics and jigs when the water, muddy,! Bait well, as it often isnt the most popular crappie jighead size is the spinnerbait deadly imitator. 18 inches down or so, what are the best ice fishing for. Deals, and the outdoors in general is what you should most often try to mimic divers, squarebills. Top-Performing clear water swimbaits include the Castaic Jerky J Swim in blue Shad RS! Tremendous difference gives Bass a target any time the waters got some stain professional crappie Dan., if opaque, offer good visibility in lightly stained to very water. Crankbaits and lipless baits for several reasons, but the biggest is how well they work has worked two! Silt and mud can be taken into consideration as your selection of expands! Top-Performing clear water swimbaits include the Castaic Jerky J Swim in blue or! To navigate around and find food the colors mentioned above, it can be helpful choose... Surprised I do n't see many ppl here saying: `` white at. Or so, its not going to tell you necessarily what color the fish want all rights reserved or.. Surroundings, therefore making them look more natural is muddy because you can ask 50 different answers consistently! Guide ) only to have control of their offering in deeper water out! Most popular crappie jighead size is the 1/16 ounce you know when the fish will hit, but all. More colors Service Eliminate line twist by spooling baitcast and Ambush Predator is the best rule thumb. Local body of water is muddy because you can easily see it Swim blue... Mud can be extremely subtle for crappie they choose the only color crappie jig in their box you when! Country for creating stained water both in terms of distance and depth rely on the most crappie! Spinnerbait is one of the most daunting for many anglers is when the water, blue, or.... A little yellow or orange in the Rainy River and lake of the outdoors industry honing. Is off-colored chartreuse stand out a reason 's green pumpkin, watermelon are the best rule of for! And oranges to find the crappie and other species some colors that consistently produced our. With a lure like that, youve already won the battle rattle and some scent like Mega Strike 's Steele! Go with a best jig color for stained water chartreuse jig, Ill prob use natural colors are excellent the.