Are painted jigs really necessary? Are more lure types needed - ever?

[Spoonminnow]

One thing I like to do is file a shiny spot on both sides of the bare lead ball. I can't prove it makes a difference, but like metal flakes, it gives a subtle bit of flash that fish may take notice of.

I think everyone can agree that subtle lure action is one of the best attributes of many pan fish lures, whether it be hair, thin plastic tail or feather flutter on the slowest retrieve. The rest is more or less individual preference or a rabbit's foot-like belief. Sometimes if we believe something works, we do that extra something that make it work. But the real proof is someone else in the boat casting something different and still catching fish. Had that happen more times than I can remember!

But one thing about color I've noticed - some colors don't work as well as my few preferred colors. In summer I poured a light smoke colored plastic with blue and purple flakes and get far few bites. I won't be able to prove that the combo doesn't work as well unless I use it on at least 10 outings next year.

BTW, I've never fished in gin clear lakes but always waters with tannin or algae stain.

[BuckeyeKdog]

Some days I would agree and other days would disagree. I've been out when I think a bare hook would have worked and I've been out where a specific color was the only thing that would catch fish. I fish hard and long have always caught more than my share of fish. Several years ago, was overcome by an affliction called Walleyeterribelis and have learned some things the hard way. Biggest thing learned if the fish are there and they usually are, if they arent biting, its, your presentation is off, or you have the wrong bait selected, or the color is off. I usually have 3 poles all rigged differently but rarely use more than one at a time.

Earlier this year, had a 3 day period where a nasty looking yellow orange color that I mixed to kinda look like fish eggs was the only thing that would catch a fish. We were coming off the lake limited out and others in our group-club whatever you wanna call it were lucky to have 1 or 2 fish at the end of the day. Yesterday, mmostly a scouting trip. was too rough for walleye fishing so went crappie fishing in a nice protected cove. As long as your jig had some white, but not all white you could catch fish rapidly. All white did not work, but we caught fish on B/W, R/W, even yellow and white. Solid colors were untouched. So who knows, but I believe in an open mind and will continue experimenting and collecting tackle!!!

[Cane Pole]

Color don't matter if you know where the hungry fish are congregated.

[skiptomylu]

Color makes a difference and at times yes even head color can make a difference. Just like my Roadrunners, sometimes a Brass blade will make a big difference over Silver/Nickle. It also has to do with what someone has confidence in and that is probably the single most important part of talking colors. However depending on water clarity, color of bait can make a huge difference and not just between muddy and clear water. Sometimes it makes a big difference if you can see 3' down in place of 2' down!

[Spoonminnow]

Color don't matter if you know where the hungry fish are congregated

Always!
But when fish aren't actively feeding, I believe the right presentation and lure design (more than actual hue) can provoke inactive fish to bite, contagious to others nearby. I watched an underwater video of a school of inactive perch suspended off bottom in semi-clear water respond to a spoon jigged off bottom. Once one fish got caught, more came close and started going after the lure almost in a frenzy. The video is on YouTube.

[blackfish]

For 30 Yrs. I used 2 colors- blue an clear. And black and green. Caught lots of fish. Then the Spider bit me! Used to power troll 16 rods 5 jigs per pole. Color makes a Big difference! And changes constantly. Longline d Washington last fall and if it didn't have a blue head they wouldn't hit it. JMO.

[INTIMIDATOR]

Our home lake in SW Ohio is very deep, fertile, and stained....I always use the same jigheads....color of the swimbaits and presentation variation, are the largest factors with my success.
These are the different colors used this year to catch fish in the different patterns.
Normally plain white and plain Chartreuse or each with glitter are great, but not this year!
There were patterns where they were "keyed in" and they only wanted more natural colors, then other patterns where they were keying in on specific colors they could see.
Water color definitely has an effect on colors...what we see is not the color that a fish sees in the water, it is always muted or hued to a different variation. Sometimes with your technique or color choice, you are just causing them to see it and react, instead of feeding!
I have pics in the Ohio "CJ Water Temps" thread, where I was catching fish on a plain jig head and a piece of plastic bag and paper, just to prove a point to some local fishermen!
The main Walleye color this year was Orange or Pink and Orange swimmers.

[Fatman]

Do you have to have a painted jig - guess you don't have to but it's a heck of a lot of fun mixing powder paints. Personal choice is what it boils down to.

You could say the same thing about using a stationary vise vs. a rotary vise - is one better than the other?? I tie just as good a jig and fly with a stationary vise. Again personal choice.

[Rdrunner]

I fish mainly two lakes here in NC.One is fairly clear all the time the other is always stained.I am a caster and jig only if that is not working.I like a jerk bait that darts and have found the Zoom Tiny Fluke to be unbeatable in these two lakes.I fish mostly 1/24 heads and favor a white or chartreuse .In the fluke baby bass and black/silver are the only colors I use.I have a 2nd rod with a chartreuse 1/16 roadrunner with a bass pro black/silver swimming minnow .I never fish any bait without a crappie nibble .

[wasilvers]

I find my smaller jigs have to be all one color or very close (white head, pink body). And my larger ones do not matter. I go unpainted to avoid buying more tackle. It works for me.