Post by in t h e o f f i c e on Mar 3, 2013 10:30:09 GMT -5
whats the norm change color every 1/2 hour?
It depends. Here's a simple two-tier method of determining if you should change lures.
If you are marking a lot of fish and you are right on them with the presentation and not catching--> Speed first check is speed.
Before you change out a lure ask yourself if the speed is right for the spoon to have correct action? (then there's that speed/temp depth probe issue again.)
Next you should consider changing up as long as you are still on fish that aren't biting. Some change every ten minutes- some go a 1/2 hour. Brighters and greens, etc. often work better above 50 feet or so- the purples, reds and blacks, blues etc can be the choice down deep. White is good all around: when it is good.
That's probably overly simple and much better fishermen than I would likely have more input.
If you are not marking a lot of fish or only see a few here and there you should have some go-to lures out for the depth you are fishing. But if you are not "testing" the fish (and in this way I mean you most often can only test fish when you are fishing through lots of fish) and you have good go-to lures out what is the point of changing? There are not enough fish to test a color on to prove anything.
Third scenario: you are marking some or lots of fish and taking one now and then: is there a color that is getting most hit? You can test further by putting out another or two of the same lure and if they start getting hit you are on to something. If they make no difference then think about where the "hot" lure is running- what can you do to make your other rods mimic the presentation? Like if a Lite Bite is taking fish but the downriggers aren't (even with the same or similar lure) then maybe you are running to tight to the ball. Extend your downrigger setbacks. If that doesn't make a difference maybe you need to run out some lead on a planer board, run another Lite Bite, dry a Big Jon Mini Diver Disk... you get the idea.
As a general rule color is not the most important factor, lure action (which is most often equated to speed), lure image, and the presence of fish are the focus to create success. Without those other components changing color is probably not going to be effective. Everyone wants to know/buy/find the "hot lure" but no lure is tractor beam. Present it right to fish and then you can tune in the color.
Of course, if you are catching fish why change anything at all?!!
Again, there is a lot more to it than this, and fishermen with much more skill will have a lot more to say- I mean books and videos have been made on the subject- but these are methods I have found effective to build success into a fishing trip. My biggest problem is I too often am unwilling to start changing things out every ten minutes. But when I have changed up with purpose and a plan as above more times than not I have caught fish.
BTW- this time of year and on into the spring until the water warms and a thermocline sets up you will most often not mark any fish as they are near the top of the water column. The sonar only shoots under the boat and no fish is usually going to stay under your boat. But Champlain salmon can (and will!) hit your lure 10' behind the boat when you are trying to set up.