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The Allure of UV: Fishing Game Changer

The Allure of UV: Fishing Game Changer

By Bob Schmidt

As an avid angler, I’ve always been fascinated by the constant evolution of fishing techniques and technologies. One innovation is the use of  UV (ultraviolet) in fishing lures. I’ve spent countless hours on the water experimenting with these highly visible, neon lures, and I’m excited to share with you some of the experiences and insights that have informed our product development over the past 55+ years.

The Science Behind UV Lures

To understand why UV lures are so effective, we need to go underwater and see the world through the eyes of fish. Water acts as a natural filter, absorbing different wavelengths of light as it travels deeper. Red light is the first to disappear, followed by orange, yellow, and green. Blue and ultraviolet light penetrate the deepest, which is why clear water often appears blue. To learn more about how fish see and why it matters, read Color Matters: the Science of Lure Selection.

Fish see these shorter wavelengths exceptionally well. Their eyes contain cone cells that are sensitive to UV light, allowing them to detect subtle differences in their environment that we can’t perceive without eyes. This adaptation helps them locate food, navigate, and communicate with other fish.

UV lures capitalize on this biological advantage. When UV light hits these lures, they fluoresce, creating a bright, attention-grabbing effect that stands out against the background. It’s like turning on a neon sign in an underwater world of muted colors.

Mack’s Lure: Pioneers in UV Tackle

Mack’s Lure has been at the forefront of incorporating UV into our products since 1969. UV lures are designed to reflect and emit UV light, making them highly visible to fish even in low-light conditions or murky waters. Our Wedding Ring spinners and Smile Blade lures were some of the first to include UV colors. Now we offer hundreds of options, including spinners, dodgers, flashers, jigs, and components with UV and luminescent glow to give anglers an edge in the water.

We teamed up with Pro Cure to develop custom scents that include additional UV. Mack's Scents use UV Flash to provide even more flash and attraction in low light conditions.

Techniques and Factors to Consider

While UV lures can be a game-changer, it’s essential to understand how to use them effectively. Here are some key factors you will want to consider:

Water Clarity: UV lures shine (pun intended) in clear to moderately stained water. In extremely murky conditions, the UV effect may be less pronounced, but the lures can still be effective due to their vibration and flash.

Depth: Remember that UV light penetrates deeper than other wavelengths. I’ve had great success using UV lures when fishing deeper waters, especially during midday when fish might be holding in cooler, deeper areas.

Time of Day: UV lures can be effective at any time, but I’ve found them particularly useful during low-light conditions - early morning, late evening, or overcast days. During these times, the contrast between the UV lure and the surrounding water is even more pronounced. It’s important to note that UV lures are not as effective during bright, midday conditions in clear, shallow water. In fact, they may even be too visible and potentially spook fish in these situations.

At night, UV lures are generally less effective since UV light comes from the sun. However, some anglers have experimented with using UV lights for night fishing, though this practice may be regulated in some areas. The effectiveness of UV lures can vary depending on the species of fish and water conditions. Experimenting with different lures and times of day can help determine when UV lures work best in your fishing situation.

Species-Specific Preferences: Different fish species may respond differently to UV lures. Through trial and error, I’ve discovered which UV patterns and colors work best for various species in my local waters.

Practical Fishing Tips for Different Species

Let me share some specific tips for targeting different species with UV lures:

Walleye: These notorious low-light feeders respond exceptionally well to UV lures. I’ve had great success using Mack's Lure Wally Pop rigs tipped with a nightcrawler or minnow. Slow trolling or drifting these lures along bottom structures during dawn and dusk has consistently produced results.

Trout and Salmon: For these species, I’ve found that UV-enhanced spoons and spinners work wonders. When trolling for lake trout or salmon, I often use a UV Smile Blade in front of a hoochie or cut-bait rig. The extra visibility seems to trigger more strikes, especially in deeper water.

Steelhead: These anadromous rainbows can be finicky, but UV lures have helped me crack the code on many occasions. I like to use UV-enhanced jigs under a float when fishing rivers. The added visibility seems to entice more strikes, even in turbid water conditions.

Panfish: For crappie, bluegill, and perch, small UV jigs have been my go-to. I’ve noticed that these fish are particularly attracted to UV chartreuse and UV pink colors. Fishing these lures under a slip bobber around submerged structures has led to many successful outings.

Kokanee: These landlocked salmon have excellent color vision and are known for their selective feeding habits. UV-enhanced dodgers followed by small UV squids or hoochies have dramatically improved my kokanee catch rates. I typically troll this setup at varying depths until I locate the school.

Ice Fishing with UV 

Ice fishing presents unique challenges, but UV lures have proven to be a valuable tool for the winter arsenal. The low-light conditions under the ice make UV lures stand out even more. I’ve had great success using small UV jigs for panfish and larger UV spoons for trout and pike through the ice.

One technique I’ve developed is to use a UV lure as an attractor, even if I’m fishing with live bait. I’ll often hang a small UV spoon or blade a foot or two above my baited hook. This setup seems to draw fish in from a greater distance, increasing my chances of a bite.

Kayak Angling: UV Lures in Close Quarters

Kayak fishing has become a great way to get on the water, and UV lures have proven to be incredibly effective in this context. The stealthy approach of a kayak combined with the attracting power of UV lures is a potent combination.

When kayak fishing, you will notice in shallower waters or near structure where fish might be easily spooked. UV lures give you the opportunity for more precise casts to likely holding spots without the need for larger, more obtrusive lures that might scare fish in these close-quarter situations.

Anglers find that the subtle ripples created by their kayak’s movement can enhance the action of UV lures, especially when using small spinners or jigs. The combination of the kayak’s gentle wake and the UV flash seems to trigger a predatory response in many species.

The Future of UV Fishing

As I’ve watched the evolution of UV lure technology in the tackle industry, I can’t help but get excited about the future. At Mack’s Lure we continue to develop new UV patterns and incorporate these innovations into our field testing.

One area I’m particularly interested in is the combination of UV technology with other fish-attracting features. For example, we have incorporated scent dispersal and holographic finishes. We have observed that multi-sensory lures attract and trigger strikes, and we want to give anglers the advantage in challenging conditions.

Conservation Considerations

While UV lures can be incredibly effective, it’s important to remember our role as stewards of the aquatic environment. The increased catch rates that can come with using UV lures mean we need to be even more mindful of bag limits and practice catch-and-release when appropriate.

I’ve also found that the effectiveness of UV lures has made me more aware of our impact on fish populations. It’s a reminder that with great fishing power comes equal responsibility. I now often find myself releasing more fish than I keep, ensuring that our youth get to enjoy the same quality of fishing that we do today.

Conclusion: Shedding New Light on Fishing

After years of experimenting with UV colored lures, I’m convinced that they have a valuable place in every angler’s tackle box. While they’re not a magic bullet - fishing still requires skill, patience, and knowledge of fish behavior - UV lures provide an edge that can make a significant difference in your catch rates.

The science behind UV lures is sound, backed by our understanding of fish biology and underwater light transmission. When combined with proper techniques and an understanding of the factors that influence their effectiveness, UV lures can transform your fishing experience.

Whether you’re trolling for salmon in the open water, jigging for crappie from a kayak, or ice fishing for trout, there’s likely a UV lure that can help you succeed. As with any fishing technique, the key is to experiment, observe, and learn from each outing. That's the quest that draws back to the water season after season, year after year. 

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