Any ichtyologists here. Can Bass truly see color?

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 14:10:28 -0500, E. Carl Speros wrote:

I realize that color can make a big difference in fishing lures.
Chartreuss, white etc. Do bass see in color? we are told that cats, dogs
etc can only see in black & white though much better in dark areas. How
do we know Bass etc. see individual colors rather than a brighter or
darker lure? I'm hearing a lot about hooks & lures colored red that
ostensibly draw fish because they think it's a bleeding prey fish, but
I'm skeptical of their claims with out any real evidence. Can anyone on
this NG fill me in on this conudrum? What telling evidence has been put
forth??? Carl

From in fisherman studies, and doctor Kagiyama (spelling) bass do have
cones. They can see color, supposedly they shy away from yellow lines,
but are attracted to neon blue lines. I am actually reading the
in-fisherman largemouth bass book now, and have read What a fish sees
(primarily a steelhead book, but he does discuss bass).

If you grab those 2 books, as well as studies by Doug Hannon it would give
you a good step in the right direction.

Chris

I realize that color can make a big difference in fishing lures.
Chartreuss, white etc. Do bass see in color? we are told that cats, dogs
etc can only see in black & white though much better in dark areas. How
do we know Bass etc. see individual colors rather than a brighter or
darker lure? I'm hearing a lot about hooks & lures colored red that
ostensibly draw fish because they think it's a bleeding prey fish, but
I'm skeptical of their claims with out any real evidence. Can anyone on
this NG fill me in on this conudrum? What telling evidence has been put
forth??? Carl

My theory is that certain colors reflect their band widths of light better
or worse or differently than others. This would mean that while it may
appear to be black or white or some shade of grey to a receptor the actual
light reaches the receptor better. For instance the frequency of blue light
may propogate better than the frequency for yellow light in some
circumstances. This would mean that it could be seen better through the
fishes cones in their eye even though the cones only sense differences in
light intensity rather than the difference in light frequency.

Of course theories like opinions are like certain bodily orifices.
Everybody has one.



--
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com


"E. Carl Speros" wrote in message
...
I realize that color can make a big difference in fishing lures.
Chartreuss, white etc. Do bass see in color? we are told that cats, dogs
etc can only see in black & white though much better in dark areas. How
do we know Bass etc. see individual colors rather than a brighter or
darker lure? I'm hearing a lot about hooks & lures colored red that
ostensibly draw fish because they think it's a bleeding prey fish, but
I'm skeptical of their claims with out any real evidence. Can anyone on
this NG fill me in on this conudrum? What telling evidence has been put
forth??? Carl

Then a red hook would have no more attraction than a blue one or even
less??? Interesting.

Long before I got into the fishing lure business, the subject of a fish's
vision in the chaotic world of water fascinated me, as it still does. I read
everything available on the subject, and still do. Here is a micro-summary
of what every qualified expert firmly believes to be true:

1) If the available light is adequate, fish see a far larger part of the
color spectrum than do humans.

2) As available light diminishes to dark, fish become 100% color blind.
Period.

3) Color, as affected by light, water clarity, etc. is a major factor in
many sight-feeding fish, such as bass, locating their prey. Regardless what
claims a really good angler may make, none ignore color.

4) As to evidence, Carl, all the information available on the subject could
take a lifetime for me to present. I have neither the time nor the desire to
go where I have already been, so I invite you to research it for yourself if
you have doubts.

--
Bob Rickard
(AKA Dr. Spinnerbait)
www.secretweaponlures.com
--------------------------=x O')))

"E. Carl Speros" wrote in message
...
I realize that color can make a big difference in fishing lures.
Chartreuss, white etc. Do bass see in color? we are told that cats, dogs
etc can only see in black & white though much better in dark areas. How
do we know Bass etc. see individual colors rather than a brighter or
darker lure? I'm hearing a lot about hooks & lures colored red that
ostensibly draw fish because they think it's a bleeding prey fish, but
I'm skeptical of their claims with out any real evidence. Can anyone on
this NG fill me in on this conudrum? What telling evidence has been put
forth??? Carl

I believe the red spectrum is filtered out at whatever depth, so the effect
might be that a red object
visually fades away completely, especially compared to bright metal.

bill a

"E. Carl Speros" wrote in message
...
Then a red hook would have no more attraction than a blue one or even
less??? Interesting.

I believe the red spectrum is filtered out at whatever depth, so the effect
might be that a red object
visually fades away completely, especially compared to bright metal.

bill a

"E. Carl Speros" wrote in message
...
Then a red hook would have no more attraction than a blue one or even
less??? Interesting.

I think that the point of the "red craze" is this; red, though less visible
than blue or green under water, is still the color of blood. Whether fish
see it as "red" or black, matters little; they see it as the same color as
blood.
Copolymer fishing line doesn't only have reflectance, it also has
refractance; it is semi transparent. Since it refracts light, as that color
disappears under water, the refractence changes. At some point, the
refractence may become close enough to that of water so that the line
basically disappears. Red line may also flouresce under full spectrum light,
but as the IR/red is diminished, they may no longer do so. That's the way
hi-vis lines work; they emit a color when exposed to white light, and some
of the color that affects them can actually be outside the visible spectrum.
Red hooks, have little refractive properties, but reflect the light that
hits them. As that color diminishes, they get darker untill they lose all
color (black). At that point, they are still visible, but mainly by contrast
with other colors.
Therefore, red line may nearly vanish under water, while red hooks look like
blood. JAT...

Mark

I guess I am from the "old school". I'm not the greatest bass fisherman,
but I catch my share of em. I'm not particular when it comes to line
color..I use what the kid gives me now, Maxima ultra green. I mostly
fish soft plastics, or an ocassional top water lure. I really believe
that the the presentaion/technique, and site selection for the
conditions, is the true difference in catching bass, or not catching em.

I reckon I could be convinced to go with some of the new "innovations"
if I saw the positive results in person...but I don't own no red hooks,
nor red line right now, and ain't runnin 'round looking for any either!

Maybe all that stuff helps, I don't know...but I'm willing to bet that
catchin bass is 95% know how, and just 5% know what!

(Disclaimer...this is only my opinon) grin

JK

To what John Kerr said.....

AMEN and AMEN !

--
God Bless America

Josh The Bad Bear