ANGLING TIPS Jack Wollitz

Does color matter? That's a question almost as old as fishing itself.
With all the modern paint and dye techniques, lure makers are marketing baits in colors so numerous that anglers' heads can spin at the mere thought of deciding which baits to tie to their lines.
But the bottom-line question is whether it really matters if you are using a chartreuse or hot-pink lure. Do the fish care?
Consider several factors when making a color choice on crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits and soft plastics.
How do YOU feel about the bait? The fact is confidence has a lot to do with anglers' success. If you believe the bait will work, then you are more likely to fish it vigorously and without a lot of doubts.
Check the water color. If it is muddy to stained, use a bright color like chartreuse or orange. In clear water, chose a more natural color like "shad & quot;, smoke, pumpkin or watermelon green.
It's a good idea to select a few basic colors and experiment among them, rather than stock up on all the colors of the rainbow.
How the fish react to your lure is more a matter of how you work it. First and foremost is getting the bait in front of the fish. Then you can decide whether the bait is the right color.
jwwollitz@aol.com