Can something you can’t see help you catch more fish? An emerging trend in the fishing market is the growing popularity of lures that reflect ultraviolet light.
And you thought color selection was tough before!
UV light is outside the visible range for humans; however, there is evidence that fish see it. More importantly, fish seem to react positively to lures coated with UV reflecting colors and coatings.
For now, the biggest buzz is coming from the trout and salmon folks. Companies like Blue Fox, Storm, Worden’s and Luhr Jensen, all manufacturers with big footprints in the in the trout and salmon market, are offering models in UV finishes. And other companies like Do-It Molds, Pro-Cure and Fish Vision offer products that allow anglers to add UV to any lure or terminal tackle items.
According to guide Rick Kennedy of Tight Line Guide Service in Grass Valley, California, who is quoted in the February 2011 issue of North American Fisherman magazine, there is something to this UV trend.
“I ignored the UV stuff for quite a while, “he told author Mark Hicks. “I finally tried some stuff last season and must admit there’s something to it.”
Kennedy targets kokanee salmon (landlocked sockeyes) on Stampede Reservoir and finds when the fish turn off only his UV setups continue to produce.
But that doesn’t mean anglers who target other species are ignoring the UV option. Bass pro Byron Velvick of Texas fishes UV baits offered by Tightlines UV, a manufacturer of UV soft plastic bass baits. Also experimenting with UV baits is walleye pro Eric Olson of Minnesota who fishes a number of Storm Baits with UV finishes (like the Hot’ N Tot and Wiggle Wart), especially when targeting walleyes in silt-laden rivers.
The fact that UV is visible to much greater depths than colors like red and orange, may give anglers increased odds of attracting fish. I know this is something that deserves great research…preferably on the water!
-- Steve Pennaz, NAFC Executive Director