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It seems most crappie jig heads are light colored. I've made some with dark heads and usually add a bright color behind the black dot to catch their attention.
I was wondering if any of you had much luck using dark colored jigs. If so, what colors seem to work best and do you think adding eyes helps attract more fish?
I use black and red jigheads quite often. Also have olive, brown, and junebug. A jig with black head/body and bright tail can be in the money sometimes. I also LOVE junebug/purple/green combos. All black with gold "highlight" seems to be a big hit with bluegills.
As for eyes, I think sometimes it makes a difference, sometimes not.
As far as eyes go, I feel they catch more fishermen than fish, but I still use them. One of my best colors is black head and body, then a blue marabou tail. The same as trolling crankbaits for crappie, you just have to show them every color in your tackle box to see what they want, then tie a bunch of those on. They will be attracted to a certain color one day, then not want that color the next day under the same conditions.
As far as black colored jig heads I use them here in East Texas in late April and early May. I paint eyes on my black jigs. I also tie a black jig with a Flo. Green and Flo. Yellow Butt. When The Crappies want black it doesn't make any difference of brite colors behind the head or not. I last year developed what I called a redhead minnow. This pattern is a redhead Brite red, a Shad gray tail. and a silver tinsel body. I have caught a lot of crappies on that pattern. I have two variations of it I put red in the tail and black in the tail. on darker days this sometimes the top jig in the box. I might also add that I use dark colored jigs on dark cloudy days.
As to why black works at that time of year in Caddo lake. Well I think it is because we have a very early spawn of Bullheads which are black when first born. Bullheads down in the deep south are called Mud Cats. As to if the Eye have it I tie them both ways. Last week it made no difference. Caught Crappies with both I think that in a Fall Feeding Frenzy it will make no difference but at other times of year when they get to be selective it might make all the difference in the world. But remember just about all crank baits and stick baits have eyes painted on them. Remember that the big manufactures don't spend a penny more than they have to on there product if it doesn't have a major function.
Maybe a better question that should be ask is what is the best eye color to paint your jigs. White and blue, Blue and red, Black and red, Red and Blue, and ect.? I think that we are always searching for the one jig the produces the most fish all the time. Sadly the answer is to have as many variations of every jig as posible and one of them are going to work if the fish are in a mood to strike.
Thats just my humble opinion.
All the Best
Redman
Black is a good color year-round here as it always seems to catch crappie. The black crankbaits have been one of the best color all summer and as the water has cooled down the black/yellow zebra/black has caught good fish. As for as the eyes I use silver/black more than any other but at times a red eye and green eye works best. Orange jigs have been killer this fall for us.
black seems to work the best all-around color and dark browns using a red is very popular with dark colors because it shows up in deeper water . Also, if you use dark grays. I sometimes add black dark and it. I believe why these are so good here is because of the bait fish is the difference bonds of suckers and carp and catfish are usually browns and grays and blacks. Of course black is one of my favorites when it's after dark. yes I deftly put eyes on all my jigs .
I use black, brown, and a dark blue when I can find em. Try playing with the brown/olive/dark orange/or variegated chenilles and you might get the surprise I got. I slammed a couple of times on colors I wouldn't have dreamed of. Now, if I think it, I tie it.
That major function being to sell the lures to fishermen.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redman
Ralph Manns, a biologist who has studied and fished for largemouth bass extensively, believes that lures without eyes are more likely to be hit by bass; if the bass can see the minnow's eye, the minnow can see the bass, and is more likely to flee if attacked than if it does not have an eye facing the attacker.
That being said, I happily buy lures (including jigheads) with painted eyes because I like the way they look. I don't paint eyes on jigheads I paint.
As for black, a Minnesota fisherman who specializes in catching black crappies uses all-black or mostly-black jigs as the spawn approaches. Black crappie males turn blacker in color during that time and become aggressive toward the color black because it signals another male competing for mating rights. He feels that aggressiveness transfers over to striking jigs.
Thanks for help, I've already powder coated about 50 and it looks like I'm going to have to get a bigger box now that I'm adding all these dark colors. If it will help me catch fish, I'm all for it. Glad I asked.
I guess I am a little off the norm and believe eyes do serve a function in certain situations. The white in the jig head can be seen better in stained water and allow for a subtle presentation of a dark jig. I fish a lot of jigs and streamers with white in them for a ton of species and it always makes a difference. If I don't have a white jig head I will put eyes on the heads or add some white bucktail or marabou to any color jig.
I don;t believe that fancy eyes are needed though, jys a dab of white to attract fish to a jig them may not see in adverse water conditions.
You should have a variety for the different waters and weather conditions. I always contrast the body and tail colors so that at least one color is visable to the fish at all times. The key is to let the fish tell you what they want that day. Have confidence in what you use and fish it slow.
I think you're on to something!Quote:
As for black, a Minnesota fisherman who specializes in catching black crappies uses all-black or mostly-black jigs as the spawn approaches. Black crappie males turn blacker in color during that time and become aggressive toward the color black because it signals another male competing for mating rights. He feels that aggressiveness transfers over to striking jigs.
Most fish species I've caught have very intense or contrasty colors when feeding or in prespawn and when a young fish exhibits contrasting markings and bright colors, to a predator it's like waving a cape in front of a bull (and no, bulls can't see red)! Intense prey colors to a predator may mean the lack of caution which equals vulnerability of fish totally focused on feeding or spawning and prey aggression is transferred to a predator only too happy to join the fun.
As far as jighead color, there are two thoughts that come to my mind:
1. The jighead color is an extension of the body color, making the lure appear longer.
2. It doesn't matter (I prefer bare lead) because lure shape, color and action say far more than details like eyes or head color. In fact, I don't like florescent head colors at all.
One little trick I half believe in is to file bright spots on either side of a lead head to create a sparkle.
Maybe it does attract attention.
yes eyes serve a purpose. They definitely make your jigs look better. And I think the fish might be attracted to a different color on your jig . I believe that the crappie might think that they are actually baitfish because of the eyes don't know about Deepwater if they have enough light or not. Sometimes to detect if they have eyes or not there has been a lot of Pro one: on this. I think it's what each individual jig maker wants to do but I definitely put eyes on all of my jigs.Quote:
Originally Posted by fish_4_all