Detail in the eyes ?

[kyron4]

On a cast and retrieve lure like a Road Runner, are two color eyes any advantage over a single color ? I Use a single black " eye" on my RR's, does any one have any real evidence that a white and black eye attracts more fish on a retrieve type bait ? I've had eyes wear off and still kept catching fish even on chipped up heads . -Thanks

[ScottV]

I don't know of any scientific studies that's been done on lures with eyes, but I like the looks of them. I feel like it may help to fool a fish into thinking the lure is a real baitfish, especially if they are in a finicky mood. The white background in an eye just helps the eye more noticable. Just my opinion.

[skiptomylu]

Personally I don't think eyes add much to catching fish. I have only put black eyes on Roadrunners and on regular jigs I don't put eyes on mine at all. I may play around with some heads with sockets and buy some of the 3-D eyes to put on them, but all that is just for me to play with. I just don't think it makes a big rats tail!

Skip

[Redman]

IMHO I don't think that it makes alot of difference.. One of my best produceing jigs this year has no eyes and no paint on the head. In fact it has been the last few years that I started to paint the heads on my crappie jigs and just this last year that I started to paint on the eyes. I have tied alot more walleye jig than crappie jigs and we never painted heads and caught walleyes. Walleye jigs are all cast and retrieve jigs.

Think that on a cast and retrieve jig or even a trolling jig that a fish doesn't have alot of time to study them. They are triggered to strike by eather by oppertunity or reaction to the whirring blade. Think that a plain head no paint or eyes would work 99% of the time as well as a painted one with two color or 3D eyes.


Redman

[gabowman]

I think the eyes catch more fishermen than they do fish.:o Sure looks alot better with eyes though.

[skeetbum]

Profile and opportunity for the fish, detail for the fisherman. I use a plain lead head more than any other so I say PHHHTTT to the eyes.

[crappiedoc]

Profile and opportunity for the fish, detail for the fisherman. I use a plain lead head more than any other so I say PHHHTTT to the eyes.

Not an eye man myself, do paint the heads though. It provides contrast, which some dot of paint doesn't. Real eyes have a substance called vitreuos humor that helps in reflectivity along with the back of the eyeball. Probably some scent too, them eyeballs are the first thing eaten by predators or scavengers. Never seen em scrap the paint off a jig for a meal.

[psilvers]

I have to differ with all you folks. A number of years ago there was a scientific study that showed that fish use the eyes of prey to orient their attack. To be honest, I don't remember when the study was done, or who did it, but I do know that it was supposed to have been a reputable study.

Pete

[psilvers]

OK. I did a quick search and found a bit on this.
This is from a university in Ohio. I got a lot of hits on the false eyespot in the butterflyfish. Here is the quote:

Researchers have proposed many theories concerning the purpose and function of the eyespots in butterflyfish. False eyespots look like eyes, but occur in other regions of the body (6). In fact, the most prevalent theory is based on the fact that most false eyespots are located in the posterior of the butterflyfish. The butterflyfish use the false eyespots to produce an impression of a head at the wrong end. This leads researchers to believe that the eyespot serves to misdirect predator attacks toward less vital body areas, resulting in decreased predation rates or severity (7). In some cases, the predator completely misses the intended butterflyfish by assuming an incorrect (or misguided) plan of attack.

I hope this helps.
Pete

[shipahoy41]

Most jigs are trying to imitate a minnow. It is true "Big fish eat little fish." On my own personal jigs I use two toned eyes painted on using drill bits. The most important thing is what you have confidence in to use. Whatever you are using fish it slow. When you think you are fishing slow then slow it down some more.