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I'm sure this has been discussed within other threads. I've been testing theories on head colors and would like to get some input from others.
How much impact do you think head color has on your hand tied jigs? I ask because I've cranked up my hand tied production for self-use and noticed cost is significant for fancy colors and in my use, color didn't change the outcome. So, what have you witness in personal use or feedback from your buyers? "Head color is a gimmick and human attractor."
You could use just one color of chenille, and just one color of tail material, and unpainted heads, but why would you ?
Three colors can be presented- head, body, tail. If the tail is colored, why not the body ? If the body is colored, why not the head ?
Colors are able to both attract and repel. They are involved with a crappie’s number one sense, his vision. I use colors that are reflective of UV light because I believe the fish utilize low light conditions to their advantage, and UV rules in low light. I use flourescent colors because I believe they are more easily noticed during normal light conditions.
My jigs have three colors - head, body, tail. Certain combinations just seem to work better than others. I paint my heads to try to compliment the others.
I have several colors, but usually grab chartreuse and go with it
95% of my crappies are caught on unpainted heads.
The other five percent is just using color heads seeing if they’ll hit them too. Most of the time, on my lake, they won’t.
I have knocked the paint off before and noticed no differenceQuote:
Originally Posted by chaunc
Any color head is fine as long as it’s black . Or unpainted.
I prefer black heads , but fish unpainted heads with confidence.
I’ve found I have very little confidence in any other colors , although I sometimes give them a try .
Do eyes make a difference ?
Oooo did you take this even deeper? Great question. Maybe you draw, paint or glue some to a lead head? I think if they are reflective or iridescent, they might.Quote:
Originally Posted by gillchaser999
Sent from my SM-G998U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Sometimes a color makes a difference but mostly it’s a confidence builder for the fisherman. I normally use pink, chartreuse and a June bug color
I think it is important to have great looking baits when you are not catching fish. Don't find yourself getting embarrassed twice!:biggrin
Really I don't think it's as important as the rest of the topic of a crappie bitting, but think it can make a difference and it does keep it from Oxidizing. Usually if I tie an unpainted head I coat it with some Sally Henson's Hard as Nails. I do use a lot of Silver color powder paint on jigs that are for more of a clear water type jig.
All in all many times fish will hit unpainted lead head, but the paint sure help the appealing look for the fisherman for sure!
Skip
Yeah that’s one thing bad about using pure lead, it oxidizes. Since I made the switch to 95% lead 5% antimony my unpainted heads stay nice and shiny unlike the pure lead.Quote:
Originally Posted by skiptomylu
Most of the jigs I'm ask for are pink, Talking crappie here. I have several that want asst. of Pink, Chartreuse and a dark color like black, june bud or dark red. My self I think it is mostly for the one using it. One friend never uses painted heads and does really well when fishing with me. Not much help from me and I paint all my jigs cause they just look finished to me. Micanopy said it well with his post.
I fished unpainted heads for years and caught plenty fish. I have friends that still fish unpainted heads and catch more fish than me. Unpainted heads catch fish. Painted heads catch fish too. End of the day use whatever you feel confident in. If it wasn’t for me getting burned on an order ages ago I would’ve never started making my own bait and I’d probably still be using unpainted heads. Since I do make my own, I give it my everything. If you’re starting to sell I would stick with the basics and over time start adding to them. Keep pushing yourself.
I just dip in clear UV to keep that just poured look.
One can also dip in clear powder paint too if using unpainted heads and pure lead.
I paint all of my heads although I don't think it really matters most of the time. It takes a extra minute for me to heat up and powder coat a head.
Sometimes it matters sometimes it doesn’t. I carry at least 10 colors just in case it matters.
In every lake or body of water I have fished over the years I have caught 99 to 1 on a plain head verses an unpainted head, with that being said though there have been the occasional here and there where the painted head out performed the non painted head, but it is very seldom that happens. I have usually noticed this to be the case in muddy water.
My question is,,,if white is the best color in stained waters while cranking, why wouldn’t be best jigging?
Absolutely confidence is the key to it all! So if heads painted are what you like then that is most likely what you should use and on the other side if unpainted heads is what you like then by all means that is what you should use!Quote:
Originally Posted by DrNip
Skip
I catch my crappie on the jighead that I throw. They just happen to be chartreuse. Some I powder painted others were bought that way. The ones bought painted have eyes painted on. The ones I paint do not. I have a few other colors in the box and will use them if I pick one up. I believe it is a chance to add to the color of a bait. But absolutely not needed. I do tend to throw plastics that are darker on top and lighter on bottom. That being said most small fish have the same shading
I use everything. Even unpainted is silver in color! Gray ghost..... unpainted head is one of the most productive jigs around. Now while I don't always think the jig head colors matter I do think overall color matters. Yes you can catch on every color but I do think some are more productive and likely to produce better at certain times and situations. I have proven this to myself several times. Use what you like and have confidence in, as for me I use every color.
If the body and tail color matters then the head does too. I can't remember the last time I used an unpainted head. My jig color choice depends on species and water clarity. For crappie in murky water I like a jig with multiple fluorescent colors like chartreuse/orange which is a highly visible combination that works well at dawn or dusk. To enhance the brightness I add UV Blast powder to most of my paints. Remember that fish see the bait before they eat it so I like to have the odds of catching them in my favor. All of my crappie baits have eyes as well.
I dont know what part of NC you're in, but the Yadkin and Catawba chain have had almost 0 color post spawn. I've been using mostly grays and dark colors. I've got 10 colors or so, but 50+% of my fish this fall have been on unpainted gray ghost, and another unpainted gray combo I use.Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
Gray ghost variations are what worked good for me yesterday. One with painted head, one without. Both caught fish equally. White for the two weekends before produced better for me though. Gray ghost I feel is one of the best overall jigs one can use. If I could only pick one jig and color it would be this one.
Must be the most natural looking of colors to those crappieQuote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
I just started tying these and yes, the fish hammer this color combo. We did some testing yesterday with my GF using a painted head and me using bare metal. I put a few more fish on the boat, but that could be positioning. I found a local guy that pours fish head forms. I really like these with the grey ghost and all white pattern.Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
I will say this since I started the topic, I will tie them on either or. Lately I've been using non-painted heads because the weight and hook combo were available. While I was down at Lake Fork I saw a lot of really sweet jig heads for sale at the Minnow Bucket. "Colors are to attract the buyer." I was attracted and bought some black, white and chartreus heads all with red/white eyes.
I've read more than one time, UV Blast or UV coat... what is this witchcraft you speak of? LoL Time to do some research on the interweb.
I started tying in tinsel in the tail instead of crystal flash. I think the colors are more similar to what I think a shad or minnow looks like when it's flashing in the water. I typically apply "Match the Hatch" theory to my jigs as well. This probably why I like the fish head shaped jigs. I would LOVE to get into pouring my own heads, but don't have the time to do it.
I pour, paint and tie for a guy that lives in Tennessee that I worked with. He always asks for unpainted heads, ginger chenille body with light gray tail. Must be something to this combination although up north here it's not a hot color combo for me. He shoots docks alot so a painted head is not necessary to him.
can you post a picture of the jig?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GrumpyLoomis
Grumpy, that sounds like a decent may fly or stone fly imitation.
I will post a picture tomorrow, My stuff is out in the garage and it's 14 degrees out there.
This is the ginger and gray I tie, sorry I have no unpainted heads as they have all gone to Tenn.Attachment 413943 My old phone does not do justice for these jigs.
I'm gonna have to try that color combo out. Looks good.
Looks great. Thanks Grumpy. Should catch just about anything!
For me it is a love hate relationship with that combo. Up here the dern bluegill the size of the crystal on your watch beat it to death. The smallest tail in that pic is a used jig and you can see it is about gone. Even a #6 hooks is to big for the little attackers that love that combo. The spider is a problem too as they try and pull the legs of and enviably pull the jig down in the brush pile. Hung up again:dono
Good looking tie. Like those colors.Quote:
Originally Posted by GrumpyLoomis
Paint certainly doesn't last long when sent under a dock at high speed.
Correct sir, we fish a large cement dock with cement legs. Paint and hook point would take a beating fast.
Most of what I have down this way are floating docks with steel frames