If It AIN’T Chartreuse… Is It REALLY No Use? (We Tested It)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
“If it ain’t chartreuse, then it ain’t no use.”
I’ve heard that phrase for years, so instead of debating it, I decided to put it to the test.
I fished two identical soft plastics side by side, changing only the tail color and alternating every three casts to remove as many variables as possible.
What surprised me wasn’t which color got bit.
It was when color seemed to matter, when it didn’t at all, and what that revealed about where success in inshore fishing really comes from.
Watch the full on-water test and see what actually made the difference.
Featured Gear:
- Lure 1: Prawn Jr
- Lure 2: 2.0
- Rod: Slam Stick Medium
- Reel: Otis 2500
- Rigging 1: 2/0 Hoss Football Jighead 1/8 oz
- Rigging 2: Weedless 3/0 Hoss Helix 1/8 oz
Key Takeaways
- One of the most commonly repeated inshore fishing phrases was put to a controlled, side-by-side test with nearly every variable removed
- The results didn’t unfold the way most anglers would expect once conditions on the water started to change
- A small adjustment revealed a clear shift in fish behavior that wouldn’t have been obvious without testing it this way
- What started as a color experiment uncovered a much bigger lesson that goes well beyond lure choice
Final Thoughts
The results were closer than most people would expect, which opens the door for a good discussion. Do you think this changes anything about how you view chartreuse tails, or are they still a must-have for you? Drop your thoughts below.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
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So I am including links to the quickest ways to achieve each:
1) Finding Fish System
2) Insider Club’s Group Discounts
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Cool experiment, Pat. Personally I stick to natural colors/profiles in “clear” water…when the water is “murky” I’ll throw a lure with contrast.
Nice info, Pat! Very interesting results on the redfish. Not surprised with the trout results because when they are feeding I haven’t really noticed a difference in the color as long as you’re using the same profile.
The trout definitely are not picky. The results surprised me too. I’ve got more to come on that later
Thanks Pat! Interesting results.
It was for sure!
I always dig these side-by-side tests- keep ’em coming!
Thanks Paul! We’ll keep them coming!
I really thought that the chartreuse would blow the other one out of the water!!
I think most people did. We put a poll up in the Community and the vote for which they thought would be the winner was 3 to 1 in favor of chartreuse.
Great video thank you
Thanks Charles!
Interesting to see that reds did not touch the chartreuse
Was foe me too! That was just one day though. Doing this experiment I’ve had days that were just the opposite
good info, Pat… BTW, where’d you get that cool redfish tail light?
Thanks Bob! I made the light myself
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ax3k54pxN/
Nice video and very good knowledge passed along Pat … Jib well done and I’m sure you had fun during the day … !
It was a great day!