I was reading an article by Greg Hackney today about color selection. He went on to talk about how he only carries a few colors of baits in his boat and how he thinks that a lot of anglers put too much thought and money into subtle nuances when they should be focusing on finding fish. I thought the article was interesting and it made me think about decisions that I make on the water.

Check it out... http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassm..._frugal_Hackney

Of course we do.

YES! most people give fish way too much credit and overthink things.

I dont follow the BASS or FLW pros, but I am going to guess that Hackney is sponsored by Strike King after reading that artical!

I do believe what he is saying though about over thinking the colors! I use about 4 or 5 different colors and thats it!

Truely I couldn't agree more!! I have always stuck to about 6 different color plastics in about 8 different styles! Crankbaits are the same way. . . I might truely throw 6 different colors! But my jigs are a different story! I have found so many colors that I like over the years! Cant catch fish if they aint there!!

yep sure do... this color and that color, this rod for this bait, this line for this type of fishing.....


just go fishing and have fun!!!

I used to really over think things and then you end up carrying way too much stuff that you know you aren't going to throw anyway. Ultimately, you always rig up the same color every time you go because that is what you have confidence in. Here is a picture I just took while out in the garage of two of the boxes of soft plastics I carry in my boat at all times.

The first one is the box of Kicker Kraws i carry with my to every event. Kicker Fish Bait Co. is one of my promotional partners therefore I have access to every bait and color they produce. As you can see I keep things pretty simple. A few natural colors, Black Blue and Blue Sapphire. I know THESE COLORS WORK EVERYWHERE ACROSS AMERICA!

Similarly, I have attached a shot of the box of beaver style baits I carry as well. You'll notice it looks almost the same. Most of my soft plastic boxes all run the same color schemes. No need to even try goofy stuff when I have limited time to find and catch fish when these are tried and true producers.

I also think way make it way to complicated I have a bunch of stuff I carry just about everytime I go out that I never throw. Thanks for out input Clark I have enjoyed reading your posts since youve been on the forum always very informative. How about your cranks do you normally only carry a few colors for those also?

Absolutely!! A certain length and action for this, graphite for this, fiberglass for that, a certain reel speed for this, gotta have 2 power poles, not one, bags and bags of tackle (most of which will never see the water before it's thrown away to make room for the latest and greatest)

The tackle industry loves it.

I also have a lot of tackle that I rarely throw,but I fish a lot of team events an its alwats good when my partner might be catching fish on somethng I would normally not throw,and I am able to have the same bait or color or size ready,without borrowing stuff.I don't mind carrying extra stuff.To me its a confidence thing,instead of it being complicated,I would rather be prepared.also my partner might have a color,size,or certain kind of bait they might have more confidence in,an I could possibly have it,even if I rarely throw it.to me again its being confident and prepared,if you fish a lot you should know that anything can happen on the water,some of the weirdest things I have ever seen have happen while fishing.

I too, have way too much tackle, but there have been many a time when my "GO TO" baits & colors are not working that I've tied on somethnig that strikes my fancy & have it produce. Or my partner throws something different & is catching fish and I dig thru my bags or boxes and am able to duplicate or 1 up what is working. Having a varity of baits does pay off, but not as often as your "GO TO" cofidence baits will. That's why I keep an ample supply of my favorite baits & colors and only have 1 or 2 of others.
I'm just saying.........

Better to have & not need than need & not have !

ive tried to explain this to my wife.

This is the main reason people burn out on Bass Fishing. They try to over complicate it.

I only threw a few type of baits, and I only carry a few colors.

It simplified my fishing, and made me a better fisherman.

Sigh... I don't know how many times I've told myself I need to do that... and then I walk into a tackle shop and... walk out with a coupla bags of stuff...