Does lure color matter?

[Scott Kitchen]

In the last two years I have seen someone land at least one fish on just about every lure color I have.  I think that lure color has more to do with how much time you spend fishing a color than the color does.  What do you think?

[Scott McKee]

I jump around on this subject from year-to-year and when I’m really indecisive, trip-to-trip and even hour-to-hour.   When I started, I wanted every color I could get my hands on.  Over the years that changed (a little).  I find myself fishing more of the same colors I’ve had success with in the past and I try to recreate my successes by fishing certain colors in certain conditions.  I don’t nearly give as much time to new colors anymore.  I think if you stick with the basics like perch, sucker and walleye when the waters clear, hot for when the waters muddy or at night, and black anytime or all the time, you should catch as many muskies as you would if you changed colors as fast as my brother eats chicken wings.  In fact, I’d think you might catch more.  That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experiment with colors though.  I caught a nice fish on Page Jailbreak last year when all the usual suspects failed and I fished the hell out PJB this year and did well with it.  Is that because the fish liked the color or because I gave it a ton of time swimming behind the boat?  Beats me?  Probably both, but I wouldn’t have gained confidence in PJB without catching that fish last year.  I guess go with what works for you and change it up when that doesn’t work.  I think it all comes down to putting a lure in front of a musky that wants to eat it.  With that said, I’m going to get my order ready for Bare Bones Baits.  Some of my lures need a makeover.  Man, you should see all their great colors…