Hey all!!

I'm fairly new to bass fishing. This will be my second year being serious about the sport. I've definitely learned a TON over the past year, but one issue I'm having a little trouble nailing down is when to throw reflective baits, and when to go with matte. From my research it seems as if you want to throw matte baits in lower light conditions, and reflective baits more when it is bright and sunny.

Is this true? And if so, why?

All help is appreciated! I am a huge fan of being a student and learning more every day!

Thanks!

Not true with spinnerbaits. Cloudy days with or without wind work well. I'll leave the rest for some resident expert to steer you one way or another. 

Reaction or fast moving lures that resemble Shad or herring use bright reflective colors similar to those prey fish that have highly reflective scales. Matt colors tend to work better for crawdads and bluegill prey type lures and slower moving swimbaits.

At the end of the day trail & error, try both!

Tom

For me I use matte in dingy water/dark days - reflective in clear water / sunny days - lots of exceptions - but for jerk baits and crank baits I generally follow this pattern.

Soft plastics are another thing altogether in that I use natural colors in clear water but then lots of guys out there throwing bright pink plastics in clear water and catching - there you go.

1 hour ago, frogflogger said:

For me I use matte in dingy water/dark days - reflective in clear water / sunny days - lots of exceptions - but for jerk baits and crank baits I generally follow this pattern.

Soft plastics are another thing altogether in that I use natural colors in clear water but then lots of guys out there throwing bright pink plastics in clear water and catching - there you go.

Cant argue with the man, he's got a point 

No rule of thumb for me on this topic . 

On April 30, 2016 at 6:20 PM, WRB said:

At the end of the day trail & error, try both!

There it is 

Trial and error is the way to go. 

Keep in mind that color is just one factor in lure choice, and more often than not, it seems that it's fairly low on the list.

I haven't seen enough of a difference in matte vs gloss to make me think it matters. I break down hard bait colors into 3 general categories, loud, subtle, natural. I base choice on conditions, and experience, but as always, I let the fish make the ultimate decision. 

6 hours ago, j bab said:

On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 7:20 PM, WRB said:

 .

At the end of the day trail & error, try both!

Tom

There it is 

I wish I could say that the above wasn't true for me, that I was some Svengali of the lake.  But alas, I always have a rod with a speed clip at the end so I can change baits quickly until I find one that works.  As an expert bass fisherman with many years experience I have perfected this technique.  I call it the "Avidones famous throw them the tackle box" technique.  It's famous the world over.

3 hours ago, avidone1 said:

I wish I could say that the above wasn't true for me, that I was some Svengali of the lake.  But alas, I always have a rod with a speed clip at the end so I can change baits quickly until I find one that works.  As an expert bass fisherman with many years experience I have perfected this technique.  I call it the "Avidones famous throw them the tackle box" technique.  It's famous the world over.

 

Here you go

1 hour ago, j bab said:

 

Here you go

AAARGh.....I knew someone would steal my idea.  Next time I'll remember to patent it.

Thanks for all of the replies!! Looks like trial and error it is!

I want to revive this dusty thread. Ive been thinking about this here lately, when do yall pick one over the other? Seems to me I gravitate towards foil/reflective baits alot more wether its clear or muddy water

I make most my own soft plastics as a fun hobby, and for a couple of friends. I have a couple of Do-It cast aluminum stick bait molds that come out with more of a matte finish, and a couple higher end CNC aluminum molds that come out on the glossy/shiny side. I’ve caught fish with both and don’t think it matters much except in real clear water.