Bass fishing might be a recreational activity for some, but for others, it’s nothing short of a passion. Such passionate anglers deserve to know the best tactics to ensure the finest catches. One piece of information that many anglers need to be made aware of is skirt colors. Even the most seasoned anglers choose skirts randomly, without diving into the science of various colors on offer.
Let’s hang-out using a technique that will raise you to the ranks of an expert fisherman.
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Does color matter for Fishing Lures?
The biggest misconception in the bass fishing industry is that skirt colors do not matter. The reality is the opposite.
The more natural the lure appears, the greater the chance the bass will prey on it. Changing colors based on the time of the day, the sunlight situation, and which bass you are eyeing is a very effective strategy.
When do dark colors work?
You’d often come across jig skirts in darker hues like black, purple, and darker shades of green. They are almost guaranteed to grab the attention of bass on a cloudy day. Since the ocean is significantly darker due to no sunlight, darker baits appear more natural.
Additionally, these colors are the optimum choice if you plan on going in the deeper waters post-sunset. Again, these jigs very closely imitate real fish in the dark, and therefore it’s likely you’ll get hold of some valuable bass.
When is it best to use light colors?
When you go offshore fishing, remember light colors would only work during the day. Silver and golden jigs draw the attention of fish on a sunny day. Also, note that the color will disappear as you go deeper into the ocean.
So, light colors would intrigue bass that resides at a maximum of 50 feet underwater. Beyond this depth, even the brightest colors would appear dark due to low light penetration. Even the most glittery colors become less visible when you go beyond this point due to less light.
Choosing colors based on species
Apparently, it’s not just us who have favorite colors. Different species of fish can be lured using contrasting colored baits—brighter colors like red, pink, and yellow chartreuse work best for tunas. The mighty Wahoo, on the other hand, seems to be impressed by darker shades. Try using blacks and greys in case you’re targeting Wahoo.
Choosing colors based on water-type
Muddy Water
Muddy water could make even the most glittering skirts appear unattractive. Light colors are a no if you’re fishing in a waterbody that has recently seen storms and made the water murky. Darker colors, such as purple and brown, can be more noticeable in this scenario, multiplying the chances of getting a catch.
Algae Water
If algae are in the water you’ve come to fish, you must use multi-toned skirts. A single shaded skirt, dark or light, would not be prominent in the already green water. Multiple colors, especially combinations of dark and light, on the skirt will surge your chances of catching some fish.
Night Time Fishing
Choosing the optimal skirt becomes particularly challenging if you head out to fish at night. You need to find a color that matches the atmosphere in general. But simultaneously, you must make sure it’s visible to the bass.
A skirt that has multiple colors would meet this criterion. Mostly dark, but a tinge of shine that reflects the moonlight would be suitable. Getting black skirts with silvery flakes on them can also be a good choice. The black plus clear combo could also be ideal for fishing in the dark.
Other factors affecting nighttime fishing
You must remember, however, that the bait’s color is a minor matter during the night. Other factors, such as vibration, are more significant. Using the right spinnerbait, which can produce an ample vibration, can do the magic.
Keep an eye on the angle of the moon, too. You might have to alter colors depending on where the angle at which moonlight falls. The inability to do so could lead to an unnatural, flashy look that would scare the bass away.
Payoff
While this may appear a bit unusual, the trick to becoming a master at bass fishing is learning from experience. There’s no shortcut. There’s no guarantee that a dark skirt will work in muddy water or tuna will be lured using bright colors.
You must record your experiences and see which colors work best in those conditions. The key to a perfect jig is making it as natural-looking as possible, and that is where the color of the skirt comes in. So remember that your bait must look like just another fish waiting to be preyed on by the bass.
