Do Fish see Color ?

[Abalone]

I found a few really good websites on this subject.

For example
http://www.deep-six.com/page77.htm

So how much of a factor is Color when fishing ? Reds disappear around Fifteen feet.

So why do people use red when fishing deep ? I can understand that Steelhead and Salmon are probably attracted to Bright reds when they are in the river because they aren't used to seeing it in the deep ocean where they generally lurk. Red probably really catches their curiosity. In the deep Chartrose and bright greens makes sense like the colors on most of the Kwikfish. I have had a few people explain that fish don't see color they see only shades of grey. But this isn't true except at night. Fish are adept at seeing in the dark but only see shades of grey, but during daylight they do see Color.
Is yellow an attractive color to Salmon ? It stays visible up to Thirty feet but I hardly ever see anyone using yellow except for brass.

Any thoughts on this subject ?

[Mr. Fisherman]

Yea, If it catches fish, use it :grin:

I'm not too picky. I have a few go to baits and a few standbys, but as hard as I try I always seem to wind up with at least one new piece of tackle that I swear was painted to catch the fisherman, not the fish.

UV light has a dramatic effect in the deep and I always like to have something with glow on it when I fish deep. Hooked on fishes works fer me :smile:

[Abalone]

On the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Nootka Sound for example, the locals use
Hootchies especially when the Mackeral are in. What I found is that if you can figure
out what color to use you can increase you catch. Army Trucks vs. Pink etc. That can
very from on location to another. A green with blue stripe might be the ticket at Nootka but Army Truck may be hot at Cambell river. I am just curios how this might work. Up there the color can be essential. I hear of different color corkies working best on certain rivers around here. Light pinks on the Clack versus another Color on the Wilson or Trask.

[Mark Mc]

The article you referenced is written from the perspective of what a human sees. This does not necessarily correlate to what a fish perceives. You have to separate out <what wavelengths of light penetrate to what depths> and <what fish perceive>. the latter is dependent on the anatomy of the eye of the fish species in question. The experts get into the arrangement of 'rods and cones' of the particular family or species of fish. For instance, it is believed that albacore are "color" blind. So what they perceive are different shades. So a different color pattern to us will give a different contrast and sillouette to the fish.

Regarding salmon lures, in the ocean off CA and OR, the water color / condition will dictate what lure / hootchie will work best. In plankton rich, brown water, a combination dark green/brown/clear belly works best. Doesn't matter if it's 50 feet down or 200 feet down. And the famous "purple haze" works in just about any water color & depth. I'll post some pictures of these later on. One thing that's undeniable, we know there's less visible light the deeper you go, so like Ray says, lures that glow are a good thing. The last few years, I've been catching halibut with glow lures & NO BAIT at 600 + feet deep, so there you go.

Regardless of what the scientists say, we mostly learn from trial & error. To a great extent, what fish see & how they behave will always be a great mystery (in our lifetimes anyways). This is what makes it so exciting, and it's also what keeps the tackle manufacturers & dealers in business!

[Abalone]

I keep wondering about spinners ? Rainbow vs. Chartrose etc. If a Nookie is coming from behind he isn't going to see the color unless of course there is a hootchie tail of something tied on. Most blades are not painted on the back. Of course I have seen Salmon attack from the side but does
color really make a difference on a spinner ? I can see how it may make a difference on a Alvin.