Tactics and Tackle

"I believe offbeat lure colors are more a function of creative integration by anglers rather than functionality.'

- Frank Johnson Jr.

The Natural Choice

Five offshore pros reveal their favorite lure colors for trolling and jigging.

By George Poveromo

Anglers need a game plan they to the tackle shop. Not only is the style of the lure important, so is the hue. In fact, color might be one of those overlooked variables that's keeping you from maximizing your fish-catching potential. This advice from five experienced captains will help shorten your learning curve.

OFFSHORE TROLLING

FLORIDA KEYS FAVORITES

"Purple, black and clear for blue marlin," answers Florida Keys Capt. Jim Sharpe when asked his favorite trolling lure colors. "But initially, I couldn't figure out why. Then, while trolling down to the west, I came across a school of skipjacks and some followed the boat. Well, that purple, black and clear lure smoking in the spread looked just like one of those skipjacks. Marlin eat skipjacks. That justified that color combination for me. It produces for blue marlin."

Sharpe also cites the natural look for mahi and blackfins.

"We once put a flying fish that landed in the boat into the livewell it turned a brilliant blue," he says. "Lit-up shades of blue on white or silver, be it on skirts or lures, resemble a flying fish in distress. That color combo gets strikes.

"Small multicolored lures with gold in them also seem to catch the bigger blackfins, along with mahimahi and sails. I believe gold picks up that color accent in a blackfin, and just about anything eats juvenile blackfins."

JERSEY TO THE BAHAMAS