WHY RED BAITS?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Why do red baits catch so many bass?
John Crews, veteran bass pro angler, tries to answer that question. He shows off many red bass fishing baits and tells you when to throw which ones.
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#bassfishing #redbaits #crankbaits
Watching this video makes me want to research a few questions:
1. How does particulate matter (algae, zooplankton, mud, etc) suspended in water effect the visibility of different colors?
2. Does vegetation level effect color appearance - besides just blocking out light transmission in the case of mats, does the presence of plants enhance certain colors like it does above water (leafed forest canopies along a stream tend to intensify green light over others, for example)?
3. Why do bass react more favorably toward lure colors that blend in (Hillbilly Magic in greenish waters) in certain conditions while preferring more garish colors (chartreuse, firecraw, etc) in others? Is it related simply to their mood (sluggish vs actively feeding), fishing pressure, or something else?
4. How does water temperature effect the function of the eyes of bass? Does it impact the sensitivity of cones or rods? I believe I read and heard that in trout, rods migrate to and from the front of the retina based on light intensity: does this happen with bass, and if so, does water temperature effect how quickly this happens?
5. Besides red and green, do bass have any secondary peaks in color vision including areas beyond human vision such as the ultraviolet spectrum?
I owned an old C-color color monitor for color selecting in fishing situations. Factually red is the first color to disappear in strained water. I always used red in spring. Then as I began to jig fish, I wanted red or orange on my trailer. I do put red paint on top water baits alot during late summer. Confidence was huge till I played with other colors like chartreuse and blue. Red does have it's place, I use it sparingly now. I love green pumpkin with red flake really well. I still use Tequila sunrise as well too. Good tutorial John. Thank you very much for sharing. When this snow is gone,.... it's on!!!
I think it was called the Color C- lector, I had one of those as a kid but at the time I didn't have sense enough to use it lol! It's funny you mentioned it because I just found mine about a week ago in my parents attic lol! Talk about nostalgia, I've got it sitting on a shelf in my bait room now👍👍
That's what they were called!!!! I used mine religiously!!! It was pretty accurate but I hated some of the colors it indicated so I ended up trading it for Lew's BB2 baitcaster reel which I just retired last year and got the new speed spool and it's one of my favorites. I remember getting a red, 1 ounce rooster tail from a sports show I attended about the same time I got the color c lector. I wish I knew where it went. It caught some huge Spotted bass
As I recall, back in the early 80's when worms got hot, the the big color was grape.
Never really tried throw n red much. Will def have to try it out. Good info. Thanks
The DBomb in red smashed on the CA Delta last spring. With that being the only open place to fish because of the Rona, it got crowded out there, but pitching red instead of the Candy was a game changer.
Vert helpful, I new that red was good in the spring but didn’t realize it was that good other times of year. Awesome video John good luck on the Tennessee river👍
That’s why the traditional red and white striped Daredevle spoons have been successful for so many years. Glad to see so many versatile styles of baits following suit.
Aren't they silver on the opposite side? Could just be the contrast as it flashes back and forth
Definitely, but even the 5 of Diamond pattern has some red in it, with that bright yellow/orangish presentation.
I have never thrown a red Swimbait. I'll give it a shot. Thanks John
I have had Bass spit up bright orange red crawfish in my live well in the spring in the Midwest and it made me a believer.
Thanks for the tips John! I have thrown red on summer days and caught stuff here in the chocolate milk ponds in Kansas! Couldn’t tell you why besides what you said about their eyes which is something new to me so thanks for the info man! Rootin for ya!
Great video, me and my fishing partner had this conversation this weekend!
Great video bud! I watch every single one when I get the chance, especially the bass life podcast! I personally enjoy the in-depth videos on crankbaits. I love fishing em, collecting em, talking about em, and even making em! And in my opinion, you're one of the best crankbait fisherman out there! Keep em coming man!
“I Saw Red” was one of Warrants best songs. 🤘🏼
Im glad someone finally talked about this. Yes largemouth bass have dichromatic vision which means they can only distinguish color between the 475-700nm wavelength reflections without the presence of a blue cone/receptor. They can differentiate between any blend of red orange yellow green pigments - anything else is technically "light or dark" in human terms - also what do you get when you mix red and green pigments.....? BROWN/green pumpkin - mind exploding
Wow! Great input. Thanks
Missile Baits definitely have some unique colors. That's exactly why I like them. Oh and the bass like them more than even I do...lol
Dt6 in Red Craw should play in Knoxville next week
Last yr i just had a weird yr im sure a lot of us had but i couldnt get and really good red baits because everyone sucked them up lol but jot this yr i didnt sleep on it i grabbed qt least one of everything that i got and now watch this yr purple will b the deal or something crazy lol
I notice they like it in February on the Tennessee rivers like Wilson an pickwick could be cause they are little more aggressive an trying to gorge up close to spawn an of course they can see it better. Just thinking out load.
Always have to have Rayburn Red in the box. Red is a go-to out here in Cali year round in both Fresh and Salt.
Yes sir good stuff John 👍🎣 we see blue crawls in the late summer wading
First shockwave ive seen in that color. Interested in that spinner is that a Nicholas.
Threw the hite's hot craw jackhammer non stop this past fall here in the northwoods. Crushed em.
It does appear that red in spring works. Especially in the shallows. Scientifically, red does show up well in shallow water. But it quickly looks gray as the depth increases past 15-20 feet due to light conditions. Next comes orange, as it turns gray in depths over 20 feet. For very deep water, the best colors are blue and green. Fish can still see these colors at 50 feet or more, where the light can barely penetrate. Not too many people fish for bass at that depth, but blue and green on spoons work well to catch lake trout and salmon at those depths. Of course, any color can be seen by fish in shallow water. But red in spring likely mimics crayfish as you have stated.
Thank you John
I’ve been killing it on a spro lil John and rock crawler in red the last few weeks.
thanks for that red tip brother, time to up date my red baits...
I get it, and I'm a believer. The Quiver 6.5 in Red Bug Candy has become my #1 confidence bait. Not only the best bait in my bag, but at this point the best soft plastic I've ever used. I'm convinced the color Red is as much the reason as is the action. All conditions, any time of year...
Lowrance, Hummingbird, and Garmin Fishfinders on one boat! You know he knows what he's talking about if he is sponsored by all three!!!!
And none of them are happy about it!
Not sponsored by any...that's why he can do that...two or three other pros are doing it, too. They say all three have their strengths and weaknesses and having all three gives them an advantage.
@@bassguy1960 Good to know, sponsor or not I wish I had one of any of the three on my boat 😂
What color Quiver did u have on the back of that fire craw jack hammer?
Cherry Blossom
Red flannel! Was this filmed during Christmas? Awesome vid John! Great info!
Started throwing Red back in the 80's. Randy Howell gave away a great secret lol!
The first spinnerbait with a red kicker blade (that I know of) was made by a company called Red River F-5 by Shon Goodwin. He sold out to Hart and they were never as good. I bought all I could find and still fish with them nearly 20 years later. Yes, they do well on our tomato soup colored lakes. I make my own red & black rubber skirt jigs as well. Good color in Oklahoma.
Very cool! Thanks
Heading down to Smith mountain lake on March 11th-16th for a fishing trip. Will red work pre spawn down there or a different color? Great tips john.
Yes!
Great info
Explained perfect.
I'm having great success with a Baby D-bomb in Love Bug right now on a Purple Passion Ike Mini Flip 3/8oz
I would think the flake on a bait has a lot to do with it. The flash off the flake can resemble the flash off a bait fish.
This is true up until 6' depending on water clarity After about six foot Colour Disappears
I've drifted away from red plastics the last few years. Probably need to start throwing them again. Thanks.
J crews! What is the difference between the new spinbait rod and original one? Is the blank different it is it just the microwave guide that is different?
The blank and the microwave guides. It’s lighter and the guides are even nicer
You da man John!
Red works year round for me here in California
Me too! Fresh and Salt
I just picked up a bunch of red spinnerbaits for 10 cent apiece, can't wait to try in Pre-spawn . Painted the blades red too🤣
That Bandit Mistake works down here year round too. How about a Lil John like it called oops.
Red with orange maybe add a few black be great John
Bass have cones and rods as well and actually red is the first color that disappears to them the deeper the lure gets.
I believe Randy Howell was throwing a Livingston crankbait on the final day
For about last 3 of the 50 he caught
I know I am no marine biologist or anything but crawfish seem to have this red/brown/orange color in the spring and think it maybe because they are molting their shell from the previous year because similar to bass their growth slows in the winter so this may be when they grow out of their old shell and molt. Like I said this is just a hypothesis and I’m not a biologist so these are just my thoughts.
The coloration might also be due to a lack of algae and other matter growing on crawfish in the colder temperatures after they come out of hibernation. A new shell from molting plus no gunk growing on it might allow the red-orange to show. It might even be due to how the exoskeleton hardens in colder temperatures. A lot of speculation, but that’s part of what makes for fun in the winter.
I agree
I’ve caught a ton of bass on that fishalious color
Wow so color-coordinated even a red shirt.
I think alot of people sleep on red crankbaits after the winter/spring. It works all year long, especially if the water is alil dirty. And if everyone is throwing chartreuse, give them something different and throw red 😉 you'll smash em!
So if red is bass dominant seeing colors why does it die off after spawn?
Red is a great summer color too
Fohawk + delta red flannel=BBP
Big Bass Pimpin
Play on playa
I use red baits all year long and catch everything from bass to musky, no matter what it is . My PB is on a red crankbait! !!
I wish the hooks on these baites wouldnt hang up on themselves so much i would start buying them again
Green and Red… in clear water.
He wearing a red shirt coincidence I think not
Also makes the fish/bait looked injured. Just saying.
Could it just be that most fisherman are THROWING red?
😂🤷🏻♂️