Natural colors with metallic sides
The natural colors represent a logical basis for reflection, the idea being, when fishing jerkbait minnows, to remain in the spirit of what they were created to imitate a white fish. We can use jerkbait minnows with natural and metallic colors:
1) On imitative approaches, when pike are focused on a certain type of Baitfish such as bleak and roach.
2) To generate inciting light flashes when the light is not too strong, in order to arouse aggressiveness and visually guide the pike attack.
Overall, these are rather versatile colors. The color will be adapted according to the nature of the water in which you fish and in particular the bright copper colors in acid and ferruginous waters.
Ghost type translucent colors
The spirit is the same as the previous colors, namely, the search for realism. Nevertheless, we will use the Ghost type colors in slightly different conditions.
These colors complement the natural bright metallic colors when the light is strong in clear water. The sun's rays passing through the body of the lures give them a more natural silhouette and attitude. These colors can also be used when you want to be more discreet on fish that are a bit fussy.
Flashy colors
Flashy colors like Fire Tiger, Mat Tiger, Hot Tiger and their variants are the ones I prefer to use when I fish for pike, especially because pike are naturally very receptive to them, whatever the conditions. It is therefore a safe bet to always have with you and to draw regularly. Nevertheless, this does not exempt from thinking about when it is more relevant to use this type of colors:
1) When the water is chewed to create a contrast and to help the fish to locate its prey, the pike being a carnivore hunting mostly "at sight".
2) In low light conditions (morning, evening and when the sky is full during the day) to provide, again, more contrast and to help the fish visualize its prey correctly.
3) In clear and cold water to add an incentive component to the lure. The combination of cold water and flashy lure is formidable!
The white
I can't end this article without mentioning white, this color being the link between natural and flashy colors. This color performs well in almost any situation regardless of the light and/or turbidity of the water, offering both good contrast without being too aggressive. A very versatile color.
To summarize, if you want to fish for pike with jerkbait minnows, have several models and 3-4 different colors to adapt to all situations.
