Does Plug Type & Color Really Matter ?

[fcap60]

STOP-before you jump all over this post, we all know that the type of plug and the colors you choose matter. I know that each and every one of you will have a story about a certain situation about when the bass were only hitting one type of lure and in a very specific color, but my question is: Does it REALLY matter. Another words, over the course of a season to what degree does style and color really matter in your ability to catch fish.

For example, let's say you are very familiar hot spot with a piece of water is set up just the way you like it- you take a good bass from this stretch every time. So now you head down to the spot, the conditions are just perfect and instead of using your "go to plug" for the past 5 seasons (black redfin with 10cc of water), instead, you say what the heck, and snap on another plug (chartresue with bright orange head)-that same plug that's been sitting in your basement for 5 years b/c your afraid to use it. Let's assume the plug has a somewhat similar action and is not (metal, deep diver, etc.) Will it REALLY make a difference. ?

Last June I had the opportunity to fish Martha's Vineyard with a few friends. When we arrived, there was talk of big fish on the move and feeding on squid. Pink SS darters were the hot plug of choice and locals wanted us to bring some to MV from the mainland.

So on the first night, sure enough people were catching LARGE on pink SS darters. It was dark as can be and you could not see your hands in front yourself . I snapped on a black needle and sure enough started hooking up regulary. Many people switched over from poink SS darters to black needles.

After 2 fish, I wanted to experiment, so I put on a bottle plug, within 15 minutes I hooked up a couple more times and some people switched over again. 15 minutes later, I put on a sinking rebel (that's right the kind of lure that has been in my basement for years). It was yellow over silver. Three casts later, I had 2 fish. My buddy got spooled that night on a herring colored needle and I finally kept rotating through all my plugs/colors to see if it REALLY made a difference.

Here's my point.
If you asked the group to my right, what plug/color works in June under a new moon when the squid are around, the response would likely be PINK SS DARTERS RULE !

If you asked the group to my left the same question: the response would probably be: black night/black plugs-BLACK NEEDLEFISH RULE.

If you asked me and my buddy who were experimenting for 3 nights straight on fish up to 30lbs, we would say: It doesn't matter much if you find the right presentation. The presentation was a big part of our success on those 3 nights. For example, on one night, they wanted the needles twitched, the next night you needed to reel them in slow, and the last night -dead sticking the needles in the current worked best.

After that trip to MV last year, I experimented a little with my plug selection and color preference. In fact, I did almost everything the opposite of what worked in previous years. I cannot tell you how many times I left my beloved refins in the car and instead started the night with a different plug and in a color that went against what I traditionally believed in. At the end of the season, I don't think it made a bit of difference.

So I know that plug selection and color does matter, but I'm not so convinced anymore that it REALLY matters all the time.

Frank