Thread: Liberated Perch

God said "Brains" and I thought He said "Trains" so I was standing in the wrong line and I missed them both.

Me to a T !

Suggestions based on years of experimenting with colors, a knowledge of fish vision underwater and hundreds of fish caught:

Clear plastic works


Many believe that lure color must represent this or that prey animal, but over 25 years ago I fished clear plastic crankbaits and Zara Spooks and caught bass. The above injection molded curl-tail did well catching crappie and bass. The water was the usual algae green but fish had no problem targeting it same for the mini-stick on the right.

Note: On the tail is fine glitter. Other than color, a bit of flash or sparkle gets a fish's attention - FAST - and begins the excitation process leading to a strike. It doesn't take much to be instantly noticed. Fine craft glitter is sold everywhere and Mend-It glue for soft plastics is easy to brush on followed by pressing the lure on to a bit of glitter sprinkled on a paper plate. Super Glue may work.

Using your colors but leaving clear plastic areas and considering the use of a small bit of glitter, may enhance your lure's shape and action part. Beetle Spins and Mepps have been catching fish for a half century mostly due to bright flashing blades, but subtle flash and coloration does as well if not better at times than stark contrast. As I've proven to myself over the years - a little does go a long way.

There you have it: a range of appearances for fish to chew on.