The proverbial artificial bait question: Which colors/size are the best?

Most recently, I was asked by a friend to give him my top ten colors of Midsouth Tackle jigs. Of course, I wanted to help him and started to post him a quick reply on some colors that I use often and then realized they may not work for him and the areas that he fishes.

I am sure most of us can relate to wandering down the isles of our favorite bait and tackle stores to only be overwhelmed by the large selection of different tackle selections, ranging from every color of the rainbow, to soft plastics versus feathered, to different body sizes and tail configurations. I see too often inexperienced fisherman with large wallets fall prey to these large selections and tempting packaging as a kid would do in a candy store.

So, how do we as anglers be sure we spend our money wisely on the correct colors and/or size of artificial baits? Finding the answer to this question undoubtedly leads to more productive days on the water, but it is not as easy as one might think or is it? What I am about to say next will probably make some people question why they have hundreds of dollars in tackle and still cannot seem to have productive days on the water. Jig color isnt the most important factor to having very productive trips when fishing. Yep, I just said it! And I will repeat it, color isn't the only question to be asking yourself. Let me explain how jig colors are actually answers to more important factors that should be considered prior to any artificial bait purchase. I will try to explain these factors and if you can answer the following questions, color/size selection becomes instinctively second nature to you when purchasing artificial bait or selecting from your tackle box on the lake.

Season: No, I don't mean what type of seasoning you will apply to the delicious and crispy white fillets when you get home. I mean, what time of year is it? Is it spring, summer, fall, winter or somewhere between? You need to know this why you might ask? You have to remember as a general rule, Crappie can and will get very picky on the size of bait being offered depending on the season (which is more due to water temperature and their metabolism rate than anything else). As a general rule use the cheat chart described next and most of the time, it will be a great guide for you to follow: Fall: 1/8 oz - 1/16th oz, Winter: 1/16th oz - 1/32 oz, Spring:1/8th -1/4 oz, Summer: 1/4 oz-1/16th oz. Keep in mind, transitional periods such as winter to spring may call for the larger winter size or the smaller spring size. In determining size of the presentation, season is the primary key but needs to be coupled with the next factors in order to optimize success.

Clarity: Water clarity is probably the most non thought of factor that should be considered. Remember, sight is one of the three major senses Crappie use to feed, of course the other two being sound and smell. Understanding water clarity will give you one half of the equation to figuring out the "sight" presentation. One must understand the differences between clear, stained and muddy water. As a general rule use the following cheat chart in determining water clarity using common drinks as a guide and using the first three feet of water on the lake: Green Tea color: Clear, Coca Cola consistency: Stained and obviously chocolate milk: Muddy. Water clarity of your favorite lake usually stays pretty consistent and is a major factor when determining bait selection. Categories of tube selection based on water clarity alone, will lead to the following rules: For clear water: Translucent baits, stained water: softer solid colors and muddy water: dark colors. Clarity alone will not land you on the correct color as mentioned earlier, it is only 50% of the equation and you need to understand UV light penetration or light coming from the sun which I will discuss in a just a few moments.
Outside of the norm conditions: The one factor that can be an influence on the first two factors already discussed and the remaining ones we have not, is what I call the "outside of the norm conditions" factor. Wind is probably the presidential candidate of this factor as it comes and goes daily and can change conditions drastically. One example how one might adjust to this factor is on an extremely windy day in the winter, anglers will need to go to a larger or heavier combo of tube/head to keep the bait in the sufficient strike zone. A more and more common "Outside of the norm" condition on many lakes are known as recreational boaters such as jet ski's, ski boats and party barges. Heavy traffic can and will lead to unstable conditions in the water clarity, especially if fishing near dirt banks.

UV or Light Penetration: The second half of the secret to figuring out the "sight" presentation. Now how does one determine this? I use the following rule as a guideline and it seems to hold true most days without exception. Low Light conditions: Darker colors with in a "Glow", Medium light conditions: Softer colors with Chart. and full light conditions: Glitter head bodies or sparkle infused baits.
Trust: This is the final and most non scientific method of selecting the proper bait when you arrive at your favorite fishing hole. When it seems all else has failed, use your go to judgement on what to present. Over the years of fishing, anglers will develop a list of go to colors and size combos that have worked on previous trips. This portion of the factors can be and more times than not, the deadliest mistake most anglers will make, meaning they automatically go to this step prior to utilizing the first four. This step should only be considered when all else fails.

Now to simplify all of this into one word, S.C.O.U.T. or Season, Clarity, Out of the norm Conditions, UV penetration and Trust. If you can remember this word and meaning for each letter, you will without a doubt in my mind, improve your odds to successful trips. You will see by SCOUTING, you will spend your money more efficiently when purchasing products that fit the bill for your fishing spot knowing for example a translucent color will not work on your usually muddy water lake. Knowing the season you are fishing will keep you from 1/4 oz heads in the late fall when a 1/16 or a transitional 1/32 oz size will work better.
So, when I am asked the question, what are my go to colors and size, my answer is simple and one that returns several questions from a SCOUT point of view. But to be fair with my friend Handicrappie, I leave you with the description of the contents in my tackle box:

Jig Heads: I carry 1/32, 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4 oz sizes in pink, orange, chart, red and metal colors. Yes, every color in every size.
Midsouth Tube colors for clear water: None, I hate to fish clear water so I don't fish them.
Midsouth Tube colors for stain water: White/Chart glow, Yellow/Chart glow, Silver glitter/chart, white glitter/chart, white glitter/white, Black/Chart., solid white/glow, red/chart glow, chart glow/with variety of glitter infused, pink/chart glow, black/white
Midsouth Tube colors for muddy water: Black/Pink, Black/blue, black/Red


Pro series tubes from Midsouth

I hope this information helps a few of you out and I leave you with one last point. There are always exceptions to the rules and these suggestions are ones that work well for me, whether I'm tournament fishing or pleasure fishing. I have taught this method to many people and some have learned to modify the method for their own likings so feel free to use the guideline and modify as you see fit.