Choosing the correct jig color for fishing is another important part of the process, as the color of the jig affect how the fish perceives the jig. While many may think that jig color dont matter much in fishing, the color of the jig is actualy one of the primary factors that will determine whether the fish will even strike at the jig. In order to understand which color of jig to utilize when fishing, it is first important to understand how light interacts with water, and how the fish visually perceive what it see in the water.
Light interacts with the water in specific ways; red light is the first to dissapear as a person goes deeper into the water, followed by orange light, and then yellow light. Blue and green light are the last to disappear in the water. For these reasons, it is important for a person to choose a jig color according to the depth at which the person plans to fish; if the depth of the water is greater, the fish likely will not be able to see jigs that contain red, orange, or yellow colors.
How to Pick the Right Jig Color
In addition to the way in which light interacts with water, the clarity of the water will also dictate the color of jig that a fisherman should use when fishing. In clear water, natural color of jigs are best utilized, as the natural colors will appear similar to the food that fish eat in this type of water (like crawfish or bluegill). In water that is stained, however, those natural colors will not stand out against the water; in this case, anglers best use colors like chartreuse or orange.
In dirty water, anglers best utilize black and blue jigs or fire tiger jigs; even though these colors do not reflect the natural food that fish eat, the shape of the jig will prompt a reaction from the fish in dirty water conditions. Another factor that will impact the color of jig that is utilized is the light conditions above the water. Bright sunlight reflect off of the white or silver jigs that anglers commonly utilize.
In overcast skies, however, flat light is reflected off of bright colors of jig. During sunrise and sunset, the color of the light that reflects off of the water is warm, so red or orange jig are utilized. Finally, at night fishing, dark colors of jig (like black and blue) will stand out against the moonlight.
The colors of jig that is best utilized will also vary with the seasons of the year; the food that fish eat change with the seasons, and different colors will mimic that food. During spring, for instance, brown or red jigs can mimic the crawfish that are active during the spring. In the summer, when baitfish are common in the water, white or blue and white jig will mimic that food.
In fall, when fish are most active and feeding aggressive, anglers best utilize chartreuse or black and blue jigs. Finally, in the winter when most fish are dormant, subtle colors like pink or purple jigs are used. Different species of fish will respond differently to specific colors of jig.
For instance, largemouth bass tend to respond to green pumpkin or black and blue jigs; these colors reflect the food that are most commonly eaten by largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass tend