Colours for Poppers / Stickbaits

[Joel Leong]

Hi Guys,

I am trying to understand some of the colours for poppers/stickbaits, as a general rule the thumb is:

1. Bright Day/ Shallow waters - Natural colours ie blue silver etc
2. Overcast days / Deepwater - Dark Colours in ie purple , black etc

Am I more or less there? (I know sometimes there are no absolutes

and where does bright pink, Bright orange falls?

Thanks alot guys!
Joel

[Leo Sorbello]

Hi Joel  ,

Everybody would have there own colour schemes etc.

Matching the hatch would better plan your attack....like what fish at the time are most likely feeding on in regards to size of their prey, eg long toms, slimey's, fusilers, sardines etc.

Just experiment.....and keep on casting as they say !.

Tight Lines !.

Regards

Leo

[Mark Harris]

This is subject where you will find many different opinions.

Personally I would say the opposite from your point. i..e on days of bright sun, I reach more for dark colours (especially black) as I feel they create a stronger silhouette and shadow.

[Rory McPherson]

I don't know about poppers but when Konishi -san was asked about what was most important when chosing a stickbait his advise was most important is action , followed by size , and then colour . I've a belief that sometimes colour makes a difference and that a stickbait with a green flash might out fish a blue one or visa versa , personally I like white stickbaits as a lot of fish have white bellys (nz ),and  can also look like a squid which the kingfish gorge on early in the season.

[Sacco Gerard]

Personally but I'm not saying I'm right, it would be too presumptuous Ah! Ah! I think that for surface lures the color does not matter too much,  especially for lures where the  animation is fast like sliders.
I think that Eric le GUYADER has reason not to complicate the task for paint of his ORION.
The  colorful lures like a Christmas tree it is for the eye of the fisherman 
 Possible one exception at the Gabon where the black color is good when fishing at night 

[Mark Harris]

Totally agree with that Konishi rationale Rory.. 100%.

And Sacco Gerard.. you are so right. Orions are very effective proven lures with very minimal finishing.

[Joel Leong]

Thank you all for contributing

And abt konishi n carpenter lures... seems like most of the gammas are dark in colour most commonly ie blue, brown, dark green, except white, nemo bright orange
But with lots of flash .... maybe its the flash that helps too ?

[Chris Rowbottom]

Great thread!
Do you guys take poppers or stick in the same size, but different colors?
For away games, I mean....

[Ryan Keith]

Steve Starling just wrote an article on this matter - definitely worth a read if you're not familiar with the science behind lure colour selection:
http://www.fix.com/blog/view-from-below-lures-underwater/
Basically, he comes to the same conclusions as Konishi-san (& Gerard & Mark). I've been following similar principles since I read Ron Calcutt & Tim Simpson's Book of Lures 10 years ago.

[Dan Hanon]

Color isn't that important with topwater lures, whether poppers or subsurface stickbaits.  It seems reasonable that size, shape, action, speed, cadence and sound are greater triggering factors for predatory fish that are surface feeding.  I believe color becomes more important in deeper water with slower lure presentations.   

[Luke Wyrsta]

Profile & Actions matching prevalent baitfish are very important.

[Leo Sorbello]

You see guy's don't let anybody tell you that size is not important......

[Craig Maree]

For me blue, but maybe just a confidence thing having had good success on blue.