Food for thought

I came across this article today and found some really interesting things in what it had to say. I’m hoping you enjoy this article and it will generate some constructive thought and conversation.

Science News—Hooking the Gullible

Interesting ideas.

The preference for larger baits – this one is interesting, but possibly contridicted in the real world, as big bass have been caught on very small lures, flies, even worms and waxies. However, it is interesting that the size may play a role in getting the bait noticed by a bass, hence the old anglers addage of larger lures in dark water and smaller in clear. Larger lures may open the “strike window” in dirty water.

I firmly believe the premis of taste of the lure makes bass hold or spit it. I always use scent on my soft plastics and jigs, or use something like powerbait. As to whether lures can leave a scent trail to stimulate bass into biting, color me a skeptic. I would like to see what they call “good evidence”. Especially real world conditions evidence.

Color is something that has been discussed here many times. Yes, bass can see best in the red and green spectrums. But, can you say what is purple above water, how does this look 3 or 6 feet underwater? The hard part about color is figuring out how it appears to the bass, looking through the water and against various backgrounds. I don’t think anyone would dispute June Bug (purple with green flakes) catches fish.

My belief is that purple in water translates to a grey hue. Which isn’t too far from white. Anybody that has ever fished w/ my in the winter knows how much I love purple.

As for June Bug I think it relates closest to a leech. There aren’t too many fish out there except for sunfish that carry those tints/colors.

I used to have a dark purple spinnerbait that really caught fish when the water got dirty. Sure wish I still had that thing now!!

Terminator made a purple spinner a couple of years ago, and I almost bought it. Now, I can’t find one anywhere.

I could probably tye one or two for ya.

So what style of blade, and what color head, did
this dark purple spinner bait have?

I am curious because I have had some exceptional
success with purple spinners, especially in
dark water, or low light. I would like to hear
if some of the details are similar about the
baits, or is it just the purple skirt.

Big Bass Bane

The head was purple painted with red eyes. It was some kind of cheaper bait I bought for around 2 bucks back in the day, it must be about 5 years since I lost that bait. I replaced whatever came on it with a hammered copper colorado, which I like alot in dirty water. it was a single spin.

I only seemed to use it when the water was dirty, went for white or Chart. when it was a bit clearer.

Sounds real close to the one I use. Hammered Gold, or
Hammered Copper Deep Cupped Colorado blade, single spin,
with a two tone brown and purple head, and purple skirt,
or a two tone purple and brown skirt. I have fooled around
with a dark purple version, or a two tone purple and
brown version, with very similar results. Maybe a slight
node to the purple and brown version over the straight
purple verison, but I wouldn’t want to live on the
difference. There is one difference that stands out.
Mine don’t have eyes…I figure the fish are more
likely to hit a blind spinnerbait Actually
JC puts a lot of stock in eye on his jigs, so I went
through a phase where I glued on eyes, painted on eyes,
and even drew them on with a Sharpie. Now I am back
to blind jigs, and spinnerbaits

Big Bass Bane