Lure & jig colors

[bdn06]

I was wondering what the thoughts are on the best lure colors for

a) the warm water fish is sw Idaho
b) the trout in sw Idaho

I know in se Idaho, brown rooster tails and black panther martins were excellent. I also caught lots of lunker browns in the winter on the chartreuse/flo red accent LuhrJensen crocodile.

I am getting into lure making and would like to have a decent idea of what to paint up or put together for fish in this area. Typically the lure color is dependent upon water color, but the lakes here are all pretty consistent with a medium coloration.

Also, does anyone have experience with the fire tiger patterns in this region? That is the chartreuse with black vertical stripes from the top, similar to a perch pattern.

I had tentatively planned on chartreuse and red for crappie, bluegill and perhaps bass; black w/red, plain black, and brass/copper for trout.

I'm just looking for some starting suggestions, as I know it's ultimately up to me to determine the best colors and patterns. I just hate to spend all winter building lures in colors that don't work!

Suggestions welcome!
[signature]

[BrianID]

I don't fish SW Idaho much but I will tell you some of my favorite colors.
I would base your lure color on what the fish eat. For smallmouths look at crawdad colors. Chartruese and white are almost always good colors for Largemouths. I like chartruese and white for most species.For browns, black can always be a good color. I also like silver and gold for just about any species.
[signature]

[jacksonlaker]

A lot of fishermen use the dark day, dark color, bright day, bright color rule. I have found this to be true on occasion. I have read several studies on how fish see color. It seems the deeper you fish, the darker colors show up better to fish. At 40 feet deep, the color red almost disappears. I'm sure someone on this board has the link to the study. As Brian has stated, you cant go wrong with silvers, crhome, gold..flashy stuff. I have always caught warmwater fish on black lures. If you are looking up at the sky at a lure, which would show up more?? black or white?? Just my 2 cents.
[signature]

[maniac]

I always bring several different colors along no matter what species of fish I go for. You never know for sure especially if your on a new body of water. For Bass, greens, brown, black, purple and chartreuse. Smallies key in on crawfish colors more than any other color. For trout I like greens, browns, chartreuse and minnow colors. Just a few suggestions!
Her is a few pics of trout caught on maniac minnows and the ice cut'r this fall in Idaho!

James
[signature]

[bdn06]

Sweet--nice fish. Thx for the input.
[signature]