Quote Originally Posted by Redman View Post
CP I reread the artical twice. Have come to the conclusion that if complimentary colors are that effective then we should be using only colors of our jigs that are complimentary. The white and blue jig that has taken so many fish this season and the colors of the University of Kentucky should be replaced with the colors of the University of Florida. I will contend that the colors used to make a jig will most represent a small bait fish that in our case a crappie is feeding on.

Complimentary colors are used most of the time by advertizers to catch people. Complimentary colors on jig will catch fish but wait what about a solid color jig like the Gray Ghost. or one like the Silver minnow. Fish are creatures of instinct. They are eating machines driven by the desire to fill their bellies with forage bait fish. Therefore if you will present a JIG that most closely matchs the forage fish that they are feeding on at that moment you will most likely trigger a crappie in to hitting that jig and being caught.

This is MHO not to say that you are wrong but presenting a agrument in matching the hatch that the trout guys always seem to be doing with great success. If it works for you keep doing it and if it aint broke don't fix it.

All the best

Redman
I understand your argument, and your point.

Water clarity & sunlight penetration depth are key components to a fish's ability to distinguish color ... as well as being able to distinguish baitfish from the surrounding background. Even baitfish have contrasting colors ... dark backs & light bellies. They're just not as "contrasting" as full color lures. Their colors are meant to act like camo ... so the baitfish appears dark, when viewed from above (& blends with the darker bottom background) & light when viewed from below (& blends with the "white" of clouds & sunlit water surface glare.
I took the article to say that .... complimentry contrasting colors are more visible ... therefore being more likely to be seen from more different angles.

I also understand the argument of "match the hatch" & matching the baitfish "size" .... but, there's been too many times when I've thrown a lure into a school of feeding fish, that in no way matched either of those factors (and was actually outlandishly different ... LOL !! ) ... and I caught fish. My train of thought on that, lends me to believe that the fish could distinguish my "freak" from the myriads of look alike baitfish (ie - it was more visible) ... so they were able to key on it, easier.

As far as mfg's baits/colors "catching the fisherman" .... I have to ask : Is there any color, or combination of colors, of a bait ... that "WON'T" catch fish ?? And to the other side of the coin .... is there any color or combination of colors, that will "ALWAYS" catch fish ?? My experience has been that the answer to both questions ... is NO. Color, in and of itself, is not the "be all" of any bait. You have to add in size, shape, action, & scent (where applicable). Then throw in the prevailing conditions (weather, water clarity, water temp, depth, season, etc) and you have a more complete idea of how well your choice of bait is going to work. But, that's just the "game plan" .... the "play diagrams", if you will. You still have to "meet" the opposing team, on the field, before it's game on .... LOL !! Besides ... if the bait doesn't appeal to the anglers, then they're not going to buy it ... if they don't buy it, they won't try it ... if they don't try it, they won't catch anything on it ... and no one will ever know if it works or not. :p

Good discussion .... keep it going !

... cp