A touch of quality
A quality touch usually means a fish that grabs the lure with a very high probability of stinging itself. When fishing for swimming fish, it refers to a fish that is either bitten on the head hook, or bitten with all hooks (which is less likely to come off the hook at the same time). This is a quality touch, as it reflects a very aggressive and determined behaviour of the fish towards your lure, this fish having been totally fooled by your presentation. On the other hand, a fish stung from the tip of its lips on the triple back is generally a bad sign. Something is missing from the presentation to totally lure the fish. This is not necessarily a result of the colour but is often related to it and should be used as an indicator to make the necessary adjustments.
Nevertheless, through a few examples, we will identify trends that are good starting points when you get to the water's edge. To do so, we will approach the different situations according to the turbidity of the water. Arbitrary, and thus not serving as absolute truth, these scales of magnitudes are nevertheless relatively accurate.
Clear water (visibility > 1m)
L' clear water The jerkbait's favourite terrain is clear, even limpid. Nevertheless, it is often the ghost (transparent) colors that tend to stand out in the boxes of fishermen practicing in such conditions.
A ghost colour will always be very consistent in very clear water whatever the weather conditions. These colours let the light pass through, they give a more natural and discreet silhouette to your lure and are very appreciated by black-bass. This is all the more important with a high luminosity such as on a sunny day.
By dark times (rainy, overcast, dawn/dusk), opaque colours can be a good alternative to ghost colours. With more contrast compared to the middle due to their opacity, they give off a more important silhouette. This makes it easier for bass to locate the lure above them.
Council In these conditions try a white colour (often called Pearl or Bone in the ranges).
Finally by windy weather Whether it's raining or sunny, the metallic colours will send flashes perceived from afar by predators. As the wind tends to make them less fussy and very receptive to light signals, they will aggressively attack a jerkbait with a metallic colour.
Slightly tinted water (visibility 0.5m - 1m)
In moderately turbid water, I prefer to adjust even more to the weather conditions, as all types of colours are likely to work at the right time. I apply more rigorously the adjustments mentioned before, the ghost lures being limited to calm, sunny days. Most of the time in such clear water, I prefer opaque lures or almost opaque, in natural colour "baitfish" (imitating forage fish) or more flashy (white, yellowish) in low light conditions. And ditto, when it is windy I always try a metallic colour for the same reasons as before.
Highly tinted water (visibility
Jerkbait minnows often have less shoreline when the water is tinted or even extremely heavy. However, they can sometimes unlock situations where they are not expected. This has already happened to me a few times. Might as well tell you that I was very happy to have 2 jerkbaits at the bottom of my box.
Tinted water is the domain of opaque lures, flashy or on the contrary very dark, to contrast the colour of the water.
Whatever the light and weather conditions, it is necessary to contrast with the environment, given the darkness conferred by the turbidity of the water. In these conditions you can leave the ghost lures at home!
I hope these few tips will help you refine your lure selection more easily. Because beyond the choice of a colour according to its mimicry with a given prey, the relation of the colour in relation to the light is all the more decisive when we talk about jerkbait or hardbait in general.
Of course, the "baitfish" colour variants (blue/silver) are an excellent basis, and are often offered in several complementary colours and transparencies by the manufacturers. All you have to do is make your choice, whether at the retailer or at the water's edge!
