Northwest Fishing Reports

I really like rapalas and other crankbaits but am always confused with what color to use. I recently had some luck with a jointed shad rap in babybass color but the biggest was less than a pound. anyways I wondered what every bodies favorite color for crankbaits is?:-k

perch colored has worked wonders for me

I agree BF,..go 2 is definately the Perch,..but I have every color I can find BFLL,..but as BF can agree on,..Swimbaits have worked wonders as of lately.

BB

My favorites are perch and baby bass.
I remember reading somewhere that bass dont strike a crankbait because of its color though, its just there natural reaction to strike something swimming like that and making noise or something like that.
But if thats true or not, i still like perch and baby bass.

highly agree with you about drop shotting it just doesn't work for me, but I am definitely becoming a big believer in swim baits and how productive they really are when it comes to the big fish. give them a try i'm impressed.

bassfanatic wrote:highly agree with you about drop shotting it just doesn't work for me, but I am definitely becoming a big believer in swim baits and how productive they really are when it comes to the big fish. give them a try i'm impressed.

I've started doing well with drop shots this summer, once you catch a few fish on one, you get used to it, and will probably like it.
Never fished swim baits, but after seeing some of BB's pics i might have to start fishing them...lol.

And sorry for bringing this off topic.

If the lake your fishing is clear, use colors that look like the fish that are in it.Like bass,bluegill,perch and black and silver. If the lake is stained use bright colors like fire tiger,silver,gold. Go large as you can for bigger fish. And dive if the lake is deep. Slow down your cranks keep a slight bow in your line when realing in. If you like it fast use rattle traps you can get your depth and your speed with them.

In clear water with cranks,I'm having pretty good luck with blue/silver x-raps. The bass refuse my rainbow trout one

Trent Hale wrote:If the lake your fishing is clear, use colors that look like the fish that are in it.Like bass,bluegill,perch and black and silver. If the lake is stained use bright colors like fire tiger,silver,gold. Go large as you can for bigger fish. And dive if the lake is deep. Slow down your cranks keep a slight bow in your line when realing in. If you like it fast use rattle traps you can get your depth and your speed with them.

Ditto.

I think the answer is a different tool for a different problem. I guess I have encountered so many problems that I have tons of tools (LOL).

In addition, clear and warm, try to use less noise. Cool or stained to muddy, use cranks with rattles in them. If everyone is following these rules, change up and give them something they are not use to seeing.

"MATCH THE HATCH " ...It's really simple for me to just say use natural colors and you'll be fine .. But instead of just doing the basic steps with colors i want to encourage you to do some research .. Look up all the baits that rome in the lake you like to fish , read about the transitions periods that these fish go through year round .. Find out what fish has the the most abundance of fry going on right now .. studying the colors of these bait fish and finding out there location will not only "match the hatch " for you but will also put right on top the fish that are following these schools of bait fish .. Down south in the summer we would say all the time "find the bait, find the fish" and that's a true statement that i current use all summer long here as well.. BBD

well put BBD

Thanks BBD! ... a simple and basic way to look and think about colors needs at what times.

BrownBomber wrote:Don't apologize JT,..we've {BF and I} tried D-Shot on numerous ocassions and different Lakes,..boring as heck even if I was catching Lunkers,..I'd almost rather be fishing a worm and bobber,..like I said though,..not knocking it cause I know it produces,..it's just not for us! Give the Big Swims a try JT,.a bit awkward at 1st but with a bit of tossin you'll get the hang of it,..I use an 8'6" rod but I've also tossed it on my 6'6",..I just like the 8'6" better!

BB

I have the rods BB, all of our salmon rods are 8'6 Medium, Medium Heavy, or Heavy so thats not the problem.
Gettin the money for the swimbaits is! I just looked up the swimbaits you said you use and they're 30 dollars a piece!
I probably wont be able to get a few of those until Christmas lol. But atleast you know next summer ill be throwing them.

And we still haven't been able to fish together. I've been so busy with football and stuff, but when i have some time ill tell you.
Maybe pretty soon, cause here in Bellevue the teachers are on strike, today was the first day of school, but it was cancelled, but still got practice in the afternoons/evenings.

Well JT whenever you're ready just let me know!

BB