Best Topwater Colors

[rps]

I am going to have some topwater baits painted. I have been having fun trying to decide what color scheme to order. That got me wondering what others think.

If you received a present and were going to have Hughes do the job, what color schemes would you have him use? Why?

[motoman]

Of Course Table Rock Shad

-His Shimmering Shad and Halo Purple are great too!

[Quillback]

I like the "Ghost" colors myself, which I don't think can be custom painted as the lure had to be molded in clear plastic, unless the ones you have are clear plastic. I see a lot of brook silversides early in the year on Beaver and the BV lakes, and they are somewhat translucent. But later in the year I would think shad imitating colors would work well. I would also get some dark colors for low light and night. I like Norman Flake also, because the fish seem to like it, I have a Norman Flake like wake bait that works well on Beaver.

[captmac]

Had one painted in Copperhead, works great slooooow walked on slick water

[steveearle]

The problem is the fish usually cant see the "prettiness" on a topwater, depending on which bait, because its above the surface. I try to mix up the colors on the bottom of the bait--white, clear/clear-ish, and black.....

[rps]

You are absolutely right. That is why my spooks are clear, white, or silver on the bottom. However, the lures I'll have painted are the Top Dollars I am modifying. They dipsy doodle as they walk, flash sides, and threaten to dive under and all sorts of odd motions. That is part of why I put up with the fact they throw ugly. They also catch fish like crazy.

They come with a typical Norman paint job and cheap hooks. I have never spent $20 on a lure like all the pros and wannabes. It tickles me to realize that even with the paint job, hardware change, and Daiichi hooks, they will cost about the same as Lucky Craft or Yellow Magic.

[SKMO]

I throw Sammys almost exclusively and the color I go to is a milky translucent deal I do not know the name of. I have a couple with some chrome on the bottom and some other neutral shad colors, all of them work.

Actually I think color has very little to do with getting bit on a topwater walking bait. 50% is finding the right fish, 45% working it correctly, remaining 5% might be color.

Just my opinion, but most of the topwater deal is fishing in the right places and having the cadence / rhythm, presentation down that they want that day. Might be a topwalker, might be a redfin, might be a popper.

Get dialed in and black, white, purple or pink plugs with polka-dots of various colors, becomes really insignificant.

Point is find something you have confidence in. There is a Karma that begins at your head and extends ,through the rod and line, to the terminal junk, and when you hit the sweet spot and have confidence in yourself the fish will show up.

[abkeenan]

Couldnt agree more SKMO. Dont think color has all that much to do with getting bit or not bit. How many strikes do you get on top water where they come up and stare at it to make sure its the right color? And how often do they just rush up to blast it not giving a rip what it is or what color it is they just want to eat or kill it? I myself throw a heddon/excaliber spitt'n image which i doubt all that many people on TR throw and the fish just seem love it. Ill throw a spook or redfin from time to time but i like the spit'n image the best. Its a confidence think like you say.

-Brett

[rps]

SKMO: I agree with your answer too, even if it is a bit metaphysical. Go with your confidence factor is exactly why I rarely throw topwater baits I haven't messed with.

[skeeter]

Stickbaits = color definitely. Topwater = size and action, rarely color IMHO, unless it's a slow fished popper or the old devil's horse.