NBS Sportfishing - View Single Post

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 02-14-2007, 01:01 PM

That is a great question. Its also one with more than one answer. This is what works for us;
-
We almost always run one color. We mix size and skirt vs shell squid, but the colors are almost always the same. Our daisy chains also match our spreader bars and the sport dredges.

We want to give the impression of a large tight pod of bait that demands attention. In turn, our spread is often crashed by many Tuna and multiple lines go down at a time. We feel that when you present a mixed bag, you may get a pull or two, but your chances of multiple strikes is reduced. Also, you have to think about the time it takes to bring in your one or two fish, the entire mixed bag spread, get out the hot color spread and then get back on the fish. Sometimes its hard enough just to stay with the school and this added time could cause you to miss your next pass.

I have learned to never say always or never. When things are not working you have to change up. Usually when the bite is not turning on, we change out the entire spread about every 45 min, trying different spreads of colors. Especially when we know there are fish there and can see them down deep. When they are there and we are not getting a bite, we put more bird bars and bird chains in. When you have four spreader bars and two or three daisy chains all with little birds causing a commotion on the surface, this is often the ticket.

If we do decide to run different colors, we keep the port side consistent and the starboard side consistent.

We also follow the basic rule of contrast, light colored rigs on light days and darker rigs at dawn to 10am, dusk or overcast days.

Another note, green is inconsistently consistent. It seems to work when ever with no explanation. So, when we are mixing it up, we often put out an entire spread of GREEN (RDT Green Slammers and Squid).

We carry a lot of spreader bars and daisy chains, entire spreads of different colors. It is important to have options. Also, this is where your network comes in. We often know what the hot color is before we head out. Or, when we get out there and check in, that kind of information is passed to us.