Can bass see UV baits?

Mike Cork · January 07, 2016, 12:29:18 PM

Guys and Gals, who's used the Tightlines UV baits? Or any UV bait for that matter. Years ago when Mother Nature and I ran a soft plastics business, we experimented with UV powders in baits. This was back in the early 90's and anglers just weren't keen on the idea and they never sold well. However, it got to where I'd add the powder to all my personal pours.

My thinking was, it didn't change the color of the pours and it couldn't hurt. Over time it became a confidence factor.

Fast forward to the Caddo Pro Vs Joe with Brain Hester as the Joe. The fishing was tough, and to finally put some quality bass in the boat, Brent Chapman switched to his UV Inko (Tightlines version of the senko). It only took a matter of minutes to start catching bass and quality at that.

While we were setting up cameras and getting the boats ready to go for the Pro VS Joe, Brent was getting anxious to go fishing, of course the camera crew is not as fast as Brent. Anyway to kill time he showed us a few things about the UV concept and it's really interesting. (I'm not going to leave a link but you can google TightLines UV baits) He said that fish see Ultra Violet and into Infrared. This means they may able to detect many colors in the spectrum that we can't.

In the research I've done, there are a lot of contradictory research studies out there. For example there are some that have data to prove bass do not see blue, for them blue is seen as gray. Bass do not poses the cone (or rod - I don't remember which one right now) to see blue. (Stren Line anyone?) But there are other studies that suggest bass see all colors like Brent suggested.

Here is an experiment I did in the clear waters of Northern California. It started because of a bedded bass that I could not get to touch anything. It was a very warm spring day, one of those days that made boat latches hot to the touch. After digging a multitude of baits out and several attempts to get this bass to strike something, I finally grabbed a craw worm that was sitting on the deck of the boat for an hour. That craw worm never hit the bottom. That got me to thinking, can bass see heat? Obviously everything in their environment is the same temperature, so something that was hot to the touch, if bass can see heat, would look very different when first placed in the water.

I repeated this enough times to convince myself that during the spring, if I have identified a difficult to catch bass I will use a bait that has been sun bathing on the deck of the boat. Okay rambling....

What are your thoughts or experiences with UV or infrared? is it all smoke and mirrors to promote sales?

merc1997 · January 07, 2016, 01:08:41 PM

i do not know about lures with a uv factor in them, but even at night without moon, there is a presence of uv. i do believe that the amount of uv present is a factor of why bass bite well after some cold fronts, and completely shut down after others that seemed to not be much of a front at all.

i also believe that the amount of uv present in the light could be a factor in how bass perceive different colors. i still go with depth and speed control first and foremost. color at times can be a factor of tweaking the bite after the correct depth and speed are discovered.

so, i guess bottom line for me is that uv is more of a factor in the amount present in the atmosphere than uv present on a lure.

bo

DonM · January 07, 2016, 02:00:44 PM

I have used UV spray on plastics. Can't really say it seemed to make any difference, but there may have been a lot of other factors in play at the same time.
DonM

caddyjoe77 · January 07, 2016, 04:04:01 PM

For me, I never believed in them until this past May. The fishing was slow at night. As soon as I put a UV tiughtlines on I started catching fish.

Was it presentation? I dont know. Was it the UV bait? I dont know. Was it confidence? Not sure.

Tavery5 · January 07, 2016, 05:20:43 PM

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, it travels in waves of different length. What we see as white light is actually a combination of all colors of electromgnetic radiation visible to the human eye. For light to appear as white is must include blue, green, yellow, orange and red components. Ultraviolet light is always present with these other colors of radiation, but the human eye can not detect it because our eyes are built in a way that filters out UV light. The wavelength of light that humans can typically process are in the range of 400 to 700 nanometers, blue starts at about 400 and red is around 700. Ultraviolet and Infrared exist outside of this on both ends with UV at below 400 and IR above 700.

Color, what is color? Color is the reflection of light from any object. For an apple to appear red to the human eye, it must be struck with red light and reflect that same light back to the eye. If red light is filtered and can not reach the red apple it will begin to color shift and appear as another color. Ever get your blue and black socks mixed up? How this relates to bass fishing and bass is, water is a natural filter of light, even very clear water filters light to some degree but water that is stained or dirty has more of an effect.

Many people believe that color in the visible human spectrum is filtered out in water as shallow as 8 -10 ft deep, meaning that objects appear only as gray scale beyond this depth. The theory of UV reactant particles is that UV light while not visible to the human eye, is visible to bass. UV also has the ability to penetrate much deeper in the water column than the other colors visible to the human eye. So with baits that have UV reactant particles in them bass can see them very clearly because the UV light is reaching the bait and reflecting that color of light back to the fish's eyes.

Very rudimentary explanation of something that I have studied for a very long time and have a lot of interest in. I used round numbers for the sake of discussion and in no way is this meant to be exactly accurate.

Pferox · January 07, 2016, 05:33:19 PM

I have never used an actual UV bait, but have used glow in the dark baits and bait enhancers before with great results during the day and at night. I don't know if UVs have anything to do with that or just the greenish glow, but there are times when the water is murky or dingy that it did seem to make a difference.

Capt. BassinLou · January 07, 2016, 07:45:31 PM

Quote from: Tavery5 on January 07, 2016, 05:20:43 PM
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, it travels in waves of different length. What we see as white light is actually a combination of all colors of electromgnetic radiation visible to the human eye. For light to appear as white is must include blue, green, yellow, orange and red components. Ultraviolet light is always present with these other colors of radiation, but the human eye can not detect it because our eyes are built in a way that filters out UV light. The wavelength of light that humans can typically process are in the range of 400 to 700 nanometers, blue starts at about 400 and red is around 700. Ultraviolet and Infrared exist outside of this on both ends with UV at below 400 and IR above 700.

Color, what is color? Color is the reflection of light from any object. For an apple to appear red to the human eye, it must be struck with red light and reflect that same light back to the eye. If red light is filtered and can not reach the red apple it will begin to color shift and appear as another color. Ever get your blue and black socks mixed up? How this relates to bass fishing and bass is, water is a natural filter of light, even very clear water filters light to some degree but water that is stained or dirty has more of an effect.

Many people believe that color in the visible human spectrum is filtered out in water as shallow as 8 -10 ft deep, meaning that objects appear only as gray scale beyond this depth. The theory of UV reactant particles is that UV light while not visible to the human eye, is visible to bass. UV also has the ability to penetrate much deeper in the water column than the other colors visible to the human eye. So with baits that have UV reactant particles in them bass can see them very clearly because the UV light is reaching the bait and reflecting that color of light back to the fish's eyes.

Very rudimentary explanation of something that I have studied for a very long time and have a lot of interest in. I used round numbers for the sake of discussion and in no way is this meant to be exactly accurate.

Tavery5, thanks for that explanation. Fascinating....

SFL BassHunter · January 07, 2016, 08:32:25 PM

I have seen the UV baits on Monster and have been tempted to buy them. But I haven't.

One thing I can tell you, down here black and blue seems work pretty darn good. So if those bass see blue as grey that is all good to me, as long as the blue keeps on working lol.

zippyduck · January 07, 2016, 08:38:42 PM

I know that I use them for walleye. There is always one in the spread and if it catches 2 fish I put more UV's on the other rods. Some days it pays off big time others it doesn't seem to matter at all.

And according to my records weather has had no effect on what days it works. But I have never had it hurt my fishing.

Tavery5 · January 07, 2016, 08:48:00 PM

Quote from: zippyduck on January 07, 2016, 08:38:42 PM
I know that I use them for walleye. There is always one in the spread and if it catches 2 fish I put more UV's on the other rods. Some days it pays off big time others it doesn't seem to matter at all.

And according to my records weather has had no effect on what days it works. But I have never had it hurt my fishing.

Cloud cover has no effect on UV light, clouds are unable to filter it. Have you ever got a sunburn on a cloudy day?

hughesjasonk · January 07, 2016, 08:49:54 PM

I have a couple uv/glow in the dark jigs for walleye and sometimes smallies hit them

analfisherman · January 07, 2016, 09:06:13 PM

Now I too have researched 'fish eyes' for along time.
I completely understand the what and whys of fish sight.

But my question is, does that make any difference at all?
They see almost EVERY SINGLE COLOR different than we do.
So?

Firetiger was developed, first to sell the angler and second to cover the whole color range because scientists/biologists/anglers aren't sure what color triggers bites and what colors decline bites.
Only trial and error and personal confidence creates the 'better' bite in Bassin.

Now crappie, different story.
Different fish species actually see color differently from one another.

I'm kind of in BO's corner on presentation first......and maybe tweek color as a last resort.

Disclaimer:
I'm as crazy about colors as ANY ANGLER you have probably met.
I have plastics in almost every color known to man!
I find a color that flat out slaughters the fish one outting to find out next outting they won't even touch it.
Change color bite changes.
I s this because I think it will change the bite so I am unconsciously fishing it better/stronger/differently?
I live in a three line state,
I've actually had two rods worm rigged dragging/dead sticking behind the boat while casting another,
each one a different color.
I would swap rods and cast a different one interchanging through out the day.
To be honest, different days different colors produced best.
But one thing I did noticed, they all produced, usually in the same day.

Oh and Mike,
I'm going to try the 'hot' lure technique this up coming season!
You really got me wondering and NO WHERE can I find research on it.
Not even Kieth Jones book.

It never even popped into my head till you brought it up.

Makes sense to me.
A bass will move to a spot JUST BECAUSE of a half a degree in temperature difference.
They must be able to sense it.
Logically it shouldn't matter seeing they eat 'cold blooded' bait BUT it FLAT OUT INTRIGUES ME!

cojab · January 07, 2016, 09:12:30 PM

Very interesting. Every time I read something like this it just re-enforces to me that I have so much to learn.
I am going to try leaving a plastic on the deck for the next time it gets tough!

Mike Cork · January 09, 2016, 10:58:11 AM

Quote from: Tavery5 on January 07, 2016, 05:20:43 PM
Very rudimentary explanation of something that I have studied for a very long time and have a lot of interest in. I used round numbers for the sake of discussion and in no way is this meant to be exactly accurate.

Bravo, lots of great information in your post, thank you for taking the time to type it out. I'd love to see more of your research

Personal and places you've researched.

Anal, the hot bait was obviously and accident at first but I was able to prove it over and over. Still do it today when I can pin point a fish. Your post makes me wonder if fish can detect structure warmth with vision? Based on my experience they should be able too. However a hot bait on the deck of the boat is going to appear significantly obvious versus a half a degree in rocks.

In the winter bass will gravitate to rocks in my area. Keep in mind rocks are not that common in the muck of Louisiana. In fact I believe every rock in this state was bought from neighboring states... However, a rock seawall will hold more bass than any other structure in the coldest of winter. Obviously the water is warmer but it also has a better echo system. So in order to prove something like this, you'd need very controlled subjects and environments.

ahhh bass fishing, much more than just castin

Tavery5 · January 09, 2016, 04:39:10 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on January 09, 2016, 10:58:11 AM
Bravo, lots of great information in your post, thank you for taking the time to type it out. I'd love to see more of your research Personal and places you've researched.

Thanks, as opportunity presents, I would love to share more of what I have learned on the subject. I would like to add one thing to the post for the guys who like to pour their own baits. You can create baits that react to UV light by adding a couple of very inexpensive and over the counter ingredients to your liquid plastisol. The first is Barium Sulfate, Barium Sulfate will give your baits a green glow when struck with UV light. You can also use Calcium Carbonate, it will present itself as a redish orange glow when struck with UV light. Mix these powders in your liquid plastic in about a 4:1 ratio. This will change the amount of colorant that you need to use to achieve the colors you are use to.
If anyone makes a few baits I would love to hear what you think, and be careful there is a patent on this process, so for personal use only.

DonM · January 10, 2016, 12:11:03 PM

1. I knew there was a good reason for not picking up all the plastics from the floor of my boat!
2. Mike, maybe heat is a reason that the rocks around the bridge and the upper end of BBB generally hold fish. Of course there are other factors there, like wind and water depth.

TopwaterTime · January 10, 2016, 04:52:57 PM

I have never used them for Bass, but I love them for Saltwater....I tried a UV Spro Frog once and just didn't have confidence so I only gave it a few casts...

I have heard the Tightlines stuff does work really well. I have not doubt they will work, I just prefer natural baits, or black and blue, black and red...

Bass are curious by nature so I have no doubt they would work, I plan on trying them out flipping since they hit black and blue so well due to the dark water, I am always looking to be the guy doing something different in pressured water. I believe some pelegic critters glow at night and in water, at least in Saltwater, but we have shrimp in our lakes so I am sure it works..

I sell Soft Baits as a part time gig in bulk, and UV baits always sell the best from Panfish grubs to big swimbaits etc...Pink is popular as well. I never know who is ordering, so not sure if they are having success, but in Saltwater I have done well with Snook and if a Snook is going to hit a bait, then a bass should hit it as well as I find Snook to be the hardest to fool on artifials. Try them out and let us know. I like to try a bait when the bite is on at least a few times before I retire it, and with so many new choices on the market, I can only fish so many lures but would love to hear a non pro's opinion.

Does GYB make a Glow Senko? Or Berkley make a Glow freshwater bait? That would be a big key for me personally since they must know how well they sell.

BankBassBait · January 11, 2016, 04:20:28 AM

Quote from: Pferox on January 07, 2016, 05:33:19 PM
I have never used an actual UV bait, but have used glow in the dark baits and bait enhancers before with great results during the day and at night. I don't know if UVs have anything to do with that or just the greenish glow, but there are times when the water is murky or dingy that it did seem to make a difference.

Would you mind naming a few? Was the glow vibrant, like neon lights?

Oldfart9999 · January 11, 2016, 07:12:08 AM

The "hot lure", IMHO, has more to do with warm or hot lures being more supple and therefore have more action. Many good fishermen will leave a bag of plastics they are using on the deck in the sun to warm them up because of the better action it produces.
Rodney

Mike Cork · January 11, 2016, 07:57:48 AM

Quote from: Oldfart9999 on January 11, 2016, 07:12:08 AM
The "hot lure", IMHO, has more to do with warm or hot lures being more supple and therefore have more action. Many good fishermen will leave a bag of plastics they are using on the deck in the sun to warm them up because of the better action it produces.
Rodney

This is very possible

All of my posts are simply theory on what I've experienced.