02-10-2009, 11:20 PM
Every lure, jig, or fly can be applied different ways to catch different fish. So far as the glow jigs go, they can work but I find that subtle, natural colors that match natural surroundings and baitfish account for alot of catches, though there are certain bright colors that appeal to different species throughout the seasons. The best natural colored jigs, lures, and flies that everyone should have in their tackle box are white, dark to olive green, brown, grey, gold, silver, and black, or any combination of these colors for different applications in different sizes and styles to appeal to certain species.The best bright color to have around for any fish is chartreuse or chartreuse combined with red, orange, or black. Other favorite bright colors include yellow, orange, red, blue, pink, or purple. Many times these colors are more effective when combined with natural colors such as white and I know for a fact that certain fish are mesmerized at different times of year by some of these colors. I believe it is because of the limited color vision of different fish that certain colors hold appeal and I am certain that the way we see color and the way they see it is not the same. Any of these jig colors may accompany a translucent body with optional speckles in various colors for various situations and a scent attractant, such as anise, that may attract some fish and repel others.
In my opinion, things that look like UFO's can actually be just as alarming as they can be tempting to fish. For these guys who swear by glow jigs for dark water, if it works for them then why not? I've used glow jigs in several styles and personally, i've always found natural hues to be more effective. My first go to color for a jig or a fly when fishing after dark is BLACK and it is, by far, the most deadly, as in sometimes 200 fish or more for an all-nighter. A black presentation creates a silhouette against the night sky just as any baitfish or insect would and it looks and I believe that is why it is so effective. Fish, such as perch or catfish, which are known to have relatively poor eyesight in comparison to other fish, can still be caught at night on a black, or other color jig, fly, or lure in clear water. You can slay them all night if you fish right in the middle of them. Trout can see well enough to eat a mosquito on the surface of a fast riffle on a moonless night and i've had to use a glowing strike indicator before to know that my size 20 midge was taken several times before. Walleye can see up to 15 feet away after dark in stained water such as in Utah lake and I have caught them there after midnight on large 3" curly tail grub jigs. You should know, all fish are specialized feeders that are well adapted to eating when there is food available and many fish prefer to hunt after dark, especially in the summer. The bundle of nerves along the lateral line of fish allows them to sense the vibration of a potential meal in their vicinity so they can get within visual range and intercept.
Rat finkies, or any other small to micro jigs, are simply made for either small fish or fish with small mouths, such as perch, bluegill, crappie, and trout, that forage on insects, zooplankton,crustaceans, invertebrates, and minnows. Small jigs are often applied for fish that are finicky after becoming inactive for reasons such as the pressure of a cold air mass settling in after a strong front; which, makes most but not all fish slow down. A really hot day with bright sun can also make fish lethargic because most fish are very sensitive to light and warm water doesn't hold oxygen as easily as cool water. A hatch of insect larvae such as mayflies can make it hard to get an answer to your jigs when the fish are after larvae and your jigs look nowhere close to what their after. Cold winter water lowers the metabolic rate of fish which slows their need to feed. These conditions make the bite light enough at times that you can't sense a strike without the right gear and can't hook the fish with an average sized jig, lure, or large fly because a large offering is only partially taken and the hook may never come in contact with the fishes mouth.
Lures such as spinners, spoons, and wooden or plastic, topwater or diving, forage imitations all have a time and place and they are effective if you know the seasonal habits of the fish you are targeting and which lures work best for different situations. There's alot to know about how ,when, and where to use different styles of lures, flies, or jigs to target particular fish so if you need some hints i'll try to help you out and i'm sure that the rest of the BFT'rs will be more than willing to help. Let us know when you head out and where you are going and we'll see what we can do.[
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In my opinion, things that look like UFO's can actually be just as alarming as they can be tempting to fish. For these guys who swear by glow jigs for dark water, if it works for them then why not? I've used glow jigs in several styles and personally, i've always found natural hues to be more effective. My first go to color for a jig or a fly when fishing after dark is BLACK and it is, by far, the most deadly, as in sometimes 200 fish or more for an all-nighter. A black presentation creates a silhouette against the night sky just as any baitfish or insect would and it looks and I believe that is why it is so effective. Fish, such as perch or catfish, which are known to have relatively poor eyesight in comparison to other fish, can still be caught at night on a black, or other color jig, fly, or lure in clear water. You can slay them all night if you fish right in the middle of them. Trout can see well enough to eat a mosquito on the surface of a fast riffle on a moonless night and i've had to use a glowing strike indicator before to know that my size 20 midge was taken several times before. Walleye can see up to 15 feet away after dark in stained water such as in Utah lake and I have caught them there after midnight on large 3" curly tail grub jigs. You should know, all fish are specialized feeders that are well adapted to eating when there is food available and many fish prefer to hunt after dark, especially in the summer. The bundle of nerves along the lateral line of fish allows them to sense the vibration of a potential meal in their vicinity so they can get within visual range and intercept.
Rat finkies, or any other small to micro jigs, are simply made for either small fish or fish with small mouths, such as perch, bluegill, crappie, and trout, that forage on insects, zooplankton,crustaceans, invertebrates, and minnows. Small jigs are often applied for fish that are finicky after becoming inactive for reasons such as the pressure of a cold air mass settling in after a strong front; which, makes most but not all fish slow down. A really hot day with bright sun can also make fish lethargic because most fish are very sensitive to light and warm water doesn't hold oxygen as easily as cool water. A hatch of insect larvae such as mayflies can make it hard to get an answer to your jigs when the fish are after larvae and your jigs look nowhere close to what their after. Cold winter water lowers the metabolic rate of fish which slows their need to feed. These conditions make the bite light enough at times that you can't sense a strike without the right gear and can't hook the fish with an average sized jig, lure, or large fly because a large offering is only partially taken and the hook may never come in contact with the fishes mouth.
Lures such as spinners, spoons, and wooden or plastic, topwater or diving, forage imitations all have a time and place and they are effective if you know the seasonal habits of the fish you are targeting and which lures work best for different situations. There's alot to know about how ,when, and where to use different styles of lures, flies, or jigs to target particular fish so if you need some hints i'll try to help you out and i'm sure that the rest of the BFT'rs will be more than willing to help. Let us know when you head out and where you are going and we'll see what we can do.[
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