What do fish see, other than better stuff on the end of my line than on Os' line? jk I was talking to a friend tonight who recently read a book called "What Fish See". Because of the hot saltwater fishing going on his focus was on this author's claim that fresh saltwater fish see green spectrum colors best and react more to them. If true, no suprise then that so many do well with green color based hootchies and Coyote spoons, etc. He also said he read that when the fish enter fresh water that they then see and react better to reds, oranges, blacks, and sometimes blues. He didn't mention pink - but that is a lighter form of the red color spectrum. I have fish react to all of those colors, and the fish's reactions to different colors are usually most effected by fresh water color. But also watershed location and temps - and sometimes just the fish's moods. ...

As for that timely saltwater claim, I can't say that I disagree with it but I sure have caught a lot of fish on silver, black, white, red, and blue colors in the form of both bait and lures out in the ocean and saltwater bays. What color reaction differences have some of you experienced saltwater fishers had over the years, fishing for salmon? Thanks. - RT

RT,

I have read that book and your buddy seems to have a poor short term memory

The book says that the eyes of pacific salmon species contain nerve cells witha peak sensitivity to blue and green light when in the ocean. And when they move into fresh water and "reach spawning condition" these nerves convert to longwave red light. This shift takes longer to occur in summer fish that don't spawn quickly like their winter cousins.

In addition, I believe his tests of colors underwater showed that blue had the best long distance vis in the ocean. His color tests also show that white tends to take on the color of the water. The underwater color testings were quite interesting.

All in all quite an interesting book with enough information and testing to make one try some new colors from time to time.

[ 08-03-2001: Message edited by: Stadle ]

That's a great question RT!

Here's been my experience in freshwater. (I've spent very little in the salt)

For spring chinook, it seems chartruese is a great color. This may be because they are so far from spawning and still see the green end of the spectrum well.

For fall chinook red seems to work well. Could be because they are close to spawning and have already physically changed and see the red end of the spectrum.

One other thing. Silver isn't really a color. It reflects light. Light is the whole color spectrum. I would assume that silver would be good anytime, regardless of season, or condition of fish because they will see the end of the spectrum (generated by reflected light) which thier eyes have physically changed to see best.

This could also be a function that adapts them to spawning. Ever notice how almost all salmon turn a red color the closer to spawning they get? It makes perfect sense there eyes would physically change to see other fish to spawn with or defend against.

Also it makes sense to me that salmon would see greens and blues well in the ocean, because their forage base is typically that and a combo of silver. Another wonderful adaption?

Lastly, Green is one of the last colors of the spectrum visible in low light. Red is the first to go away in low light. So keep that in mind when fishing low light. Also, Black is always good to use in low light because it stands out against everything else in a fish's environment (black absorbs light) that is reflecting light and produces a stark contrast often more visable than a color that is reflecting light.

Good topic

Aaron

[ 08-03-2001: Message edited by: Jellyhead ]

That's a great question RT!

Here's been my experience in freshwater. (I've spent very little in the salt)

For spring chinook, it seems chartruese is a great color. This may be because they are so far from spawning and still see the green end of the spectrum well.

For fall chinook red seems to work well. Could be because they are close to spawning and have already physically changed and see the red end of the spectrum.

One other thing. Silver isn't really a color. It reflects light. Light is the whole color spectrum. I would assume that silver would be good anytime, regardless of season, or condition of fish because they will see the end of the spectrum (light) which thier eyes have physically changed to see best.

This could also be a function that adapts them to spawning. Ever notice how almost all salmon turn a red color the closer to spawning they get? It makes perfect sense there eyes would physically change to see other fish to spawn with or defend against.

Also it makes sense to me that salmon would see greens and blues well in the ocean, because their forage base is typically that and a combo of silver. Another wonderful adaption?

Lastly, Green is one of the last colors of the spectrum visible in low light. Red is the first to go away in low light. So keep that in mind when fishing low light. Also, Black is always good to use in low light because it stands out against everything else in a fish's environment (black absorbs light) that is reflecting light and produces a stark contrast often more visable than a color that is reflecting light.

Good topic

Aaron

RT:
I've studied the book you're referring to, and it seems that the good Doctor Kageyama knows what he's put in print, right up to the point where he's pitching the color selection kit. From what I've seen, (admittedly, not the entire kit), it doesnt seem to be worth the money.
Dr.K. covers the issues pretty well, and his photo plates tell a pretty good story.

Anandromous fish seem to see the greens and blues well as they enter the rivers, and then due to a physiological change brought on by either fresh water or spawning/ maturation cycle, their visual responses shift to reds, and longer light wave colors.

Steelhead appear to change within one to three days, and salmon seem to take a little longer.
Local water conditions do have an effect.
In Milky water, high contrast or lots of flash colors seem to work better, where they cant see very far, and all they seem to get is a shadow.

I've used the theory, and it seems to work. Since changing color selection accordingly, my catch has improved, and now I'm concentrating on presentation, which for drift boat use is largely a matter of finding the seam where they are holding. Migrating fish dont like to bite, sorta like they would rather keep moving, and holding fish will, but mostly if they're holding by choice. If they're spooked into a holding mode, they'll bite, but only if they're P.O.ed into it.
That's about as much as I'm gonna reveal without exposing ancient family secrets, unless I'm coerced by cash or national recognition & fame.
Good topic, Steve, and good luck.
BTW, I've been looking for your articles, but havent found any.. whazzup?

Thanks guys. These points are consistent with what I've heard and experienced over the years. ... HH, I am writing an every issue column for STS magazine - starting with the current Aug./Sept. issue that just came out. It's called The Reel Truth (named after the book title). I will also write an occassional article for them as well; and they are publishing my book, which will come out over a year after my original plans. But it will contain more good info because of that. Thanks. - RT

What if we were to dye salmon eggs green or blue? Would that increase fish catches?

Matt

Not sure this is valid or not but after many years of plug pulling and fly fishing one thing stands out. It seems like big fish eat purple. The SE 35 hot shot... AKA purple Jesus... is a hog snatcher

Great Topic RT,over the years I've caught fish in lots of differnet conditions on lots of different colors,

who knows why they hit what they do,I daught some scientist geek does ,He's just speculating.I don't know what they see,all I know is what colors I've caught fish on,one of my favorite colors for Silvers (in the River)is Blue go figure......besides we all know what I have hanging (on my line )is way nicer than you'res ......Os

You are right about the line thing Os - but I was talking about fishing line, not clothes line . ... We agree on this subject Mike. There have been other scientific studies on fish vision and reaction that I just think often lack the common sense and actual river condition fishing experience that all us hard core fishers have garnered over the years. We know what colors work in particular conditions in particular watersheds - despite what is 'determined' by controled tests. My $0.02 worth too.

RT