Changing bait colors????

OK. I read about the importance of changing bait colors all the time. But when I fish, I rarely change any of my colors....maybe why I get shutout too. So for those that change bait colors I have a few questions?

1. When do you realize you need to change colors? I'm assuming that's what you do when you're not catching them or it's slowed down. Are there any other reasons?
2. If you caught no fish in an area do you change colors and go back through it?
3. What's your rule of thumb on color for water clarity? i.e. stained dark color and clear water bright colors?
4. When you double dip or spider rig, what colors do you use on your rods? One dark and one bright?
5. Does the depth you're fishing make any difference in colors?

I've got a lot of others but I'll stop there.

Thanks!!

My rule of thumb is i use more opaque or natural looking baits in clear water, and darker baits (black/chartreuse or black/pink) in muddy water. I also tend to downsize in clear water and then I'll use a bigger bait in muddy water. I like to use baits with reflective glitter on sunny days if the water is fairly clear and more solid colors on cloudy days. During the spawn I'll use the biggest baits I have. I kind of follow this pattern and don't change colors very often. If I'm not catching fish that I can see on the graph, I usually attribute it to inactive fish or something that I'm doing wrong (fishing too far above or below the fish, presentation, ...etc) and not the color of my bait.

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Originally Posted by crapAlicous

My rule of thumb is i use more opaque or natural looking baits in clear water, and darker baits (black/chartreuse or black/pink) in muddy water. I also tend to downsize in clear water and then I'll use a bigger bait in muddy water. I like to use baits with reflective glitter on sunny days if the water is fairly clear and more solid colors on cloudy days. During the spawn I'll use the biggest baits I have. I kind of follow this pattern and don't change colors very often. If I'm not catching fish that I can see on the graph, I usually attribute it to inactive fish or something that I'm doing wrong (fishing too far above or below the fish, presentation, ...etc) and not the color of my bait.

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So you don't change your bait colors either?

Most of the time, presentation is the key, so if they're not biting, I change the presentation. Whether dock fishing or tubing, I'll try swinging side to side with or without a short drop/return of the rod tip, holding in place with the same rod tip action, a very slow upward retrieve with the same action, casting out and letting the bait swing slowly in to a vertical position, a slow drop, or just deadsticking. If that doesn't work, I'll change colors until one works. I'll also switch from hair jigs, feather jigs, plastic, or ice spoons. When all other colors fail, motor oil plastic always seems to work, but it seems to work ONLY when the others don't.

There are patterns that are species specific and patterns that are lake specific and patterns that are seasonal specific. Make sure you are on the right patern first. At most lakes other fishermen will share information about everything but where so usually you can get advice on the right pattern. That being said I do change colors often at certain times. There are times when I can get only 3 bites on a color. You can count them, I get either 3 fish or 3 bites but 3 is it then I have to change colors. I can come back to a color in just a few minutes but I do have to change at least for a few minutes. I usually bring several rods rigged with various proven colors. Other times I can catch fish all day long on just one color. Rule of thumb, if you know fish are there and aren't catching any or not many typically you are fishing too fast. Good gear makes a difference but nothing replaces being confident in what you are using. That's my two cents worth and hopefully I don't require to much change to break even :). The bottom line is that I do change colors.