Croaker Questions

[shockley32]

Let's get some discussion and honest opinions on the croaker.  I'm interested in the fish catching answers - not the angler catching answers!!!

1.  How important is a two color croaker?

2.  Will a two color croaker out catch a one color croaker?

3.  If a dark colored buzz bait works well then why not a dark colored croaker - black with blue flake and blue belly or black with purple flake with a purple belly?  Perhaps a white belly with the afore mentioned tops?

4.  If purple is a good bass color then why not a purple frog?  Always hear of people using purple worms, purple brush hogs, pb & j jigs.  Poured a few few Junebug sparkle frogs with a white belly - look good!

Brad

[TAE73]

I dont bass fish much so maybe I am not seeing the whole picture, but why the two color pours? The bass can only see the bottom side

[GoneFroggin]

I guess it depends on your retrieve. If you are burning the frog across the water, I don't think color would matter at all. Since the fish are reacting to the commotion on the water and not what's making it, you could probably use every color of the rainbow and get the same results as a single or two color bait.

On the other hand, if you are using something like a stop-n-go technique, color would come more into play (since you are giving the fish more time to study the bait). This is where I think having a more natural two color bait would be useful. I like using a white or light green belly on a watermelon or black bodied frog, since that best resembles an actual frog. But solid black or green would probably do just fine.




Catching fisherman... well, that's a whole different story!

[Jason]

Great questions.  I don't know any 100% for sure facts but can share this:  During our Croaker testing the white belly with dark (normally green) top made at least a  200 - 300% strike difference.  With solid colors they would still come check them out (get within 1-3' of it), but often would turn and head back in the grass.  Do I think it makes a difference, I absolutely do in open water (i.e. throw in the grass and retrieve back into open water or around trees).  I don't think it matters in the grass because they are striking the motion, not the bait.

With that said, I think the optimal pour is to hand pour the bottom vs, inject it as a laminate.  Why, as Ted pointed out, a laminate is only one color on the bottom.  A hand pour shows both, not sure color matters as long as they are contrasting.  I have great confidence in the white belly with dark green contrast, but I'm sure other colors would work equally well or better when other conditions are factored in.

What do I know 100% for sure, I love me some frog fishing!

Tight lines,

Jason

[shockley32]

The responses have been interesting.  It's amazing to find out the results from Jason's testing.  I've always felt that natural color baits are better, however have discovered that sometimes wild colors work very well.

I thought a two color frog would work better,  the hand pouring the belly then injecting the rest makes a great looking bait.  However when burning kermit fast across the top not sure color will matter much.

The frogs that will probably work the best are not the fanciest or flashy, just a pearl white or pale yellow belly with a dark green top.  However it is neat to pour up some exotic looking frogs!!!

The Croaker looks like an awesome bait and I look forward to adding it to my arsenal this year.  Jason  keep up the good work and look forward to seeing what is coming out next!

Brad