Red Lures Even a Writer Can Use Successfully
Tackle Warehouse recently put together a pretty good feature on why red lures are effective in the early spring, and I’m happy to say that I’ve lived their findings. From the Potomac to Guntersville to Rayburn to the California Delta, I’ve had some of my best days using a variety of red-colored lures.
Accompanying their piece is a set of links to every lure in their warehouse that comes in some variation of red. It’s both impressive and daunting. As you sort through it, you’re welcome to take the advice of the pros on which brands and models to buy, but let me suggest a different paradigm: Take the advice of an outdoor writer. After all, guys like KVD, Ike and Hank Cherry certainly know more about lures than I do, but they could also catch fish on a wet cigarette butt. If something produces consistently for me, then it’s probably effectively foolproof. Here's a list of red products that work for me (and remember, I like the color so much I married a redhead):
For a period of time, this was the hardest-to-find production bait on the planet. There’s a reason for that.
If you can’t stomach the price tag on the Jack Hammer, this is a pretty good substitute for about half the price.
The Bandit is a forgotten crankbait in some circles, but it’s a stone cold killer on both largemouths and smallmouths at one of our local lakes.
Let’s just say it works on bridges at Guntersville.
The ¼ ounce size is my go-to in super-skinny water on the Potomac in April.
The late tour pro David Wharton introduced me to this one at Guntersville where I had the best practice day of my life, and also caught some key fish in a Cal Delta tournament.
Perfect trailer for a fire craw vibrating jig.
Looks good enough to eat — if you’re a human or a fish.
I’ve actually done better with bubble gum, sherbert and white Trick Worms, but this is a Carolina classic so it merits inclusion.
These certainly aren’t the only red lure choices that excel — and I definitely haven’t tried them all — but if they worked for me there’s a pretty good chance they’ll work for you. Gear up as the grass comes up while the fish are still fat and chewing.
