Does UV Make A Difference?

[Gill Fisher]

I have tied up several jig patterns, but the one that is most effective has a Chartreuse tail. Another is a white body and a hot pink tail. Another is a steely blue body with a steely blue tail. But the Chartreuse tail catches way more fish than anything else, so I began to wonder why. Is it just the color? What else is different? When I went back to tie up some more of them, I realized that I had used some Spirit River UV2 chartreuse marabou for the tail. So I'm wondering if the UV is the reason that pattern is so much more effective than the rest. My fishing is primarily brushpile fishing in a clear water lake at anywhere from 12 to 20 feet deep, but mainly 18 feet. What do you guys think? Is it more about the color or is it because of the UV?

[SuperDave336]

Skip is who needs to chime in on this. We've had conversations on this and he is a master. UV and Fluorescent colors can be seen by far better than others. Even clear water down 12 to 20 foot deep I would think the color matters.

[DockShootinJack]

I would believe UV would extend the distance color can be seen.

[GrumpyLoomis]

I was in on a study in Indiana many years ago with a guy you may of heard of, Dr. Loren Hill. It was found that color is of great importance to fish finding food. There are many other factors tough such as water clarity, sun, cloudy, and a dozen others. UV was in it's infancy in the 80's but there was definitely much interest and promise. Let me just say I am a believer in UV's help. There is a million things to read and study on UV on the web. I would use it while painting my jig heads but have not really used it on chenille or feathers. USE IT, it can't hurt.

[SuperDave336]

[DrNip]

I’ve used UV in my plastics off and on for years. Can’t tell a difference in my catch ratio with or without.

[DockShootinJack]

Certainly a lot of reading to be digested on the subject

[skiptomylu]

Years ago I read a lot of articles on this and for me I believe your bait being seen is maybe the most important thing right? I mean if they don't see it they don't eat it.

When you use natural colors, meaning no FL or UV, the color that can be seen the deepest was just 40 feet and that color was Blue. One reason my favorite color combo is Chart/Blue/Chart.

One of the articles said that UV colors in the same water you could see UV colors like 650 feet, of course that's a bit over the top of need and expecting anything to come that far, but maybe one will come 10 feet in stained water where they wouldn't have seen it at all if it was not for FL or UV colors.

For sure very interesting stuff to look into and I do think it helps a lot to use FL and UV colors. Of course FL colors are not a higher price like UV is so maybe you need figure out if you want to take the extra step of using some UIV colors as it usually adds a little cost.

Skip

[JUNGLEJIMJIGS]

My favorite pro tec paint is the UV Blast, I put it in all my powder paints, even black to make it brighter and more visible. I've been a subscriber to In Fisherman since the 80's and remember the article with Dr. Hill about colors and how certain colors can be seen by fish better. The fish need to see it before they can eat it. Get a UV flashlight and see how your favorite colors look, some are much brighter and visible than others.

[Gill Fisher]

Can I tie a jig with regular materials like New Age Chenille and strung hackle and then coat the entire jig with UV? Would the us mat things up, stick together, make a mess, etc. I’ve never used UV so I don’t know why it’s like once it cures. I thought it was like glue. So how do people like Spirit River apply it to marabou?