does color really matter ?

[DockShootinJack]

I can't rule out color when you go to a dock catch a fish or 2 and then nothing. Change only the color and pick up 2 more fish before they shut down

[Eagle 1]

When fish are not active/biting changing size, color , line size helps to concentrate and fish more through as any change might help get a bite . Same for attractants .

[Ketchn]

When fish are not active/biting changing size, color , line size helps to concentrate and fish more through as any change might help get a bite . Same for attractants .

this is true , you can lead a horse you know , but to be sure fish aint always like that , sometimes you can "make" one or 2 bite, can you make all them bite you might ask , nope .....but sometimes just a few fish beats zero fish in the lets go ketchn venue

[NIMROD]

Using livescope now you can see your bait and the fish reaction. I have seen them react to colors and yes you can get a bite when put right on them. Then change color they were much more aggressive and actually went out towards bait instead of having to hit them on the head with it. Personally I think color matters, yes they might hit anything that bothers them and is put on their heads but actively will chase the right color better.

Very seldom see fish move very far to hit a bait . Watching them on livescope nearly always Crappie will look at a bait . Seen some that never moved and after almost a dozen drops finally moved and ate the jig . Some try different colors but I just drop same jig in their face till they move or bite They must see it to bite so dark or bright colors with chartreuse works for me even in clear water .

[Special K]

IMHO: With all due respect to all and the opinions expressed, the color really doesn't matter, but instead only represents variations of contrast, which along with profile, scent, patterns, textures, and presentations work to instigate the strike. I tend to believe that a fisherman could/would do just fine with white, green pumpkin, chartreuse, and black variations in jig heads and trailers for almost all species. I must say however that variations of color (even very bright and/or neutral colors) (at times) do provide certain nuances of contrast (over others) that fish seem to prefer.

[Spoonminnow]

I couldn't agree more with EVERYTHING you said (except scent)!:

represents variations of contrast, which along with profile, scent, and presentation work to instigate the strike.

When I display the various lure shapes - each with different actions, colors of the lures that caught fish that day are always varied. (See my recent post Fish Galore.) I'm superstitious enough to believe that some colors are better than others - especially once they've caught over a dozen fish - and dnn't find it necessary to use any other from that point on.

Contrast is important IMO when it comes to provoking some fish to strike on certain days, but then again lures contrast with nature in general and color emphasizes that contrast more or less depending on color brightness - not hue. Clear plastic has done great for 6 fish species this year and continues to do very well even in murky algae-green water.

Color tints are next to have done well along with some laminated plastics. The only color I use close to white is a bright pearl & gold flake Kut Tail. That color is muted but at the same time emphasizes lure action beautifully.

What the above suggest are what Special K referred to as nuances of contrast being the only thing needed to enhance a lure's shape and action. Heck, you never have to knock their fins off with bright white or fluorescent colors!

[CrappiePappy]

Very seldom see fish move very far to hit a bait . Watching them on livescope nearly always Crappie will look at a bait . Seen some that never moved and after almost a dozen drops finally moved and ate the jig . Some try different colors but I just drop same jig in their face till they move or bite They must see it to bite so dark or bright colors with chartreuse works for me even in clear water .

Yeah, Livescope has on occasion shown me Crappie doing things I'd never have thought or believed. And the one thing that comes to mind was what I saw on my last trip. I saw Crappie swim up a couple feet and look at the bait, turn and swim back to where they were ... normal activity, in other words. But, there were times when I saw them chase the jigs DOWN, as much as 5ft or more, and saw them do that on numerous occasions. Now, I know they'll chase the bait UP several feet, as I've had them follow and hit right at the surface, but it never dawned on me that they'd chase a bait deeper.
Now, that ain't saying they feed down ... as in diving on a bait that runs under them ... ain't seen that behavior, yet. But, it does show me that if a bait comes from above them and dives below their position, some will give chase on occasion.

[Boogieman1]

I gotta stick to my guns on this one. What’s a crappies primary source? Does it change color every day? But forgive me I’m also a avid Bowhunter and don’t feel the color of my fletching makes a hoot either. I know I know I’m a idiot…. Maybe folks who throw corn for deer should think of daily dying the color of it. You know…. To really bring em in

[Ketchn]

the "color" most visible to a crappie in whatever the water clarity conditions might be is the color that matters to me.

[NIMROD]

Yeah, Livescope has on occasion shown me Crappie doing things I'd never have thought or believed. And the one thing that comes to mind was what I saw on my last trip. I saw Crappie swim up a couple feet and look at the bait, turn and swim back to where they were ... normal activity, in other words. But, there were times when I saw them chase the jigs DOWN, as much as 5ft or more, and saw them do that on numerous occasions. Now, I know they'll chase the bait UP several feet, as I've had them follow and hit right at the surface, but it never dawned on me that they'd chase a bait deeper.
Now, that ain't saying they feed down ... as in diving on a bait that runs under them ... ain't seen that behavior, yet. But, it does show me that if a bait comes from above them and dives below their position, some will give chase on occasion.

Only seen them bite jigs lower than them after seeing it and following it down first. Usually must hold it at eye level or above to them