Does hook color matter when bait fishing?
I heard about people using red hooks on lures to make them pop but I was wondering about bait fishing with worms, shiners and mummichogs, should I use dark hooks or is it ok to use red hooks? I'm looking at a good deal on some hooks that I want to use for bait fishing but the black ones are more expensive than the red ones. Will they work good? Thanks :)
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by catanddoglover22
Hello catanddoglover22: I really don't think the hook color makes much difference. There are many other factors that play a bigger difference than that. Just Sayin...RJS
I agree with Robert. Usually a bait will cover the hook so the fish wouldn't even see it. I know some feel the red color is less visible under water, but I haven't noticed any difference.
flyguy
Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!
Flytier wrote:
I agree with Robert. Usually a bait will cover the hook so the fish wouldn't even see it. I know some feel the red color is less visible under water, but I haven't noticed any difference.
If the red color is less visible underwater, Fly, why don't we use it when we tie flies?
[quote=flyguy]If the red color is less visible underwater, Fly, why don't we use it when we tie flies?[/quote
I don’t think I have ever seen tiny red ones.
There goes my early retirement idea…🤦🏼♂️
[quote=OJdidit][quote=flyguy]If the red color is less visible underwater, Fly, why don't we use it when we tie flies?[/quote
I don’t think I have ever seen tiny red ones.
There goes my early retirement idea…🤦🏼♂️[/quote]
I really don't know if the red color makes them less visible. I do know some animals can't see red light. Thats why we used a red filter on our flashlights to hunt nightcrawlers.
I know for sure gold hooks attract Spanish Mackerel, millions have been caught on bare Sabiki Rigs and Gotcha plugs
The theory behind red hooks is supposed to imitate bleeding bait. There's even hardbaits out there with blood painted on them. Several hook companies are selling red trebles called Bleeding Bait Hooks. I believe Rapala has crankbaits with a red treble for the belly hook.
I think Saw uses a Bleeding Rattle Trap, to catch Stripers.
Red hooks to me are just another gimmick, if the fish are there they will usually bite regardless of hook color. Me, I'm not sitting on one area waiting for something to show up, I'm moving
Flytier wrote:
I really don't know if the red color makes them less visible. I do know some animals can't see red light. Thats why we used a red filter on our flashlights to hunt nightcrawlers.
Ran into a guy coming off the lake a couple of weeks ago and I asked him how he did. He opened up his well and he and his buddy had caught 50 (max allowed) bluegill. Asked him what he used and he told me night crawlers and showed me the hook he use and gave me a couple. Was a small double curved red hook. So, yes they work.
I have a buddy that will use red hooks only. He will swear you will catch more fish. However I was his canoe partner in Minnesota last year. He used red hooks I did not. I caught more fish and larger fish than he. I don’t think the hook color had anything to do with it As someone else always says Just saying
Did try my first red hook a couple of days ago and did catch a couple. More than my others.......not really. So, in conclusion, fish the hook that works better for YOU!
Flytier wrote:
I really don't know if the red color makes them less visible. I do know some animals can't see red light. Thats why we used a red filter on our flashlights to hunt nightcrawlers.
Wow, I never thought about a red filter. I just tried to keep the flashlight indirect. Lost a lot of crawlers while moving in for the kill. Thanks.
bapabear wrote:
Wow, I never thought about a red filter. I just tried to keep the flashlight indirect. Lost a lot of crawlers while moving in for the kill. Thanks.
DCGravity
Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)
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