Your rules regarding SP colours?

[Damned67]

Hi All,
As the title states, what are your rules regarding your colour choices when tossing SPs?
I tend to try more 'natural' colours in clear, shallow waters, and brighter colours when the water is a bit murkier. That said, if I'm not getting hits, I'll switch to a completely opposite colour... And tend to toss the much darker ones in at any random time.
My son tends to use 'pumpkin seed' almost exclusively, and often outfishes me.

What about deeper water (say 15+ metres?).... do you stick to natural colours or turn to your luminescent colours?

Basically, I'm sittin' here trying to sort out my tub of SP bags.... seem's I have 80 different packets (!).... and that's not including the Squidgy brand SPs which have their own tub. I'm addicted to buying and trying these things, but am starting to think that I need to get a little more focussed on my choices (if nothing else, I'm supporting the local tackle industry!).
That said, if nothing else seems to be working, I turn to the Gulp Watermelon colour, or the Squidgy Ginger Beer. Why I don't start with those colours and stay with them, I can't answer.

Anyway, figured that with so many people using SPs, it'd be interesting to see who makes what colour choice and when... if not just tossing them almost randomly like myself.

So, list what you use and when, either specific colours or general colours.
Cheers!

[tailorboi99]

G'day Damned,

I usually have the same principle as you do when fishing clear, shallow waters. But on the 3 or so times I've fished deeper water I chose to use more-in-your face, brighter colours such as Nuclear Chicken and Cajun Chicken.

Thanks Tom

[Goldfinch]

I can only speak from offshore experience as I don't fish rivers and lakes. In general on dawn and dusk I used darker colour lures and during the day if it's not too overcast I'll use lighter colour lures. If neither of these are working I'll mix it up with a lure that is half dark and half light like a Gulp Nuc Chook or BBQ Chicken etc. Around sunset and after dark the darker lures seem to work better for me. Every time I think I have a routine something changes. I just carry about 10 different packets with me and experiment until I get a hit.

Cheers
dave

[Nic]

In the fresh I like natural colours unless it's really turbid.

I have little experience in the estuaries, but offshore in deep water I have tried loads of colours and haven't been able to notice any difference. In that scenario I'm thinking presentation and smell matter more than lure colour.

[trueblue]

I have no rules when using plastics, but maybe that is why I do better with stinky bait?

[finding_time]

but offshore in deep water I have tried loads of colours and haven't been able to notice any difference. In that scenario I'm thinking presentation and smell matter more than lure colour.



Yep same here! ;) my basic rule for offshore is what ever packet is open at the time!! I also think sink rate ( presentation) is vital

Ian

[wags on the water]

Damned67, if you're targetting bream/ flatties in your local creek you can't go past the 2"shrimp in natural colours. These have worked for me over the past few years whether I'm fishing in SEQ or around Mackay. Best session was 16 Flatties in 16 casts using 2" shrimp in the natural and molting colours. The water clarity was clean. I have used nukechook in the dirtier water but not the same results. I figured if I can't see through the water, then the fish can't either....;)

Offshore is a little different for me. Whatever works - stick to it.

Cheers and have fun,

Wags

[Horse]

Yep same here! ;) my basic rule for offshore is what ever packet is open at the time!! I also think sink rate ( presentation) is vital

Ian

I agree with Ian. Offshore and deep Bay I find color is of minor consideration in comparison to sink rate and overall presentation. Shallow reefs I use naturals most of the time. Very deep I might be tempted to use a Gulp that glows a bit