Decoy color question

[rabbittrapper]

What is the best color for northern? What kind of fish (decoy) works best? I want to get into spearing but will have to go to Michigan to spear.

[newfish]

most commonly used is a red head and white body baitfish

[newfish]

most commonly used is a red head and white body baitfish

[rabbittrapper]

I was going to buy one but wanted to make my own. What kind of paint should I use?

[MJ1657]

Best color is black, green, pink, yellow, blue, white, brown, gray, purple................ ........

I don't know if there is an answer for your question. Some days they like one color the next day another and if they are really moving an old stinky sock would work as good as any decoy.

That being said trying colorful decoys made by talented guys is a lot of fun and really adds to the experience.

[rabbittrapper]

Ok I'll make some that are different colors.

[jasonmichalski]

red and white, firetiger are good to have but like MJ said it good to have a few choices, pink is a good color too as is gold, lol!

[runout]

The thing to remember is that you don't always need to attract hungry pike into the hole. You just need to peek their curiosity. And if you get them close enough they will put the decoy in their mouth just to check it out. But a full fish probably won't do that to a decoy that is swimming. But on the other hand northern pike are monsters that will try to eat anything so sometimes all you need to do is get their attention.

[Y-bone]

If i was allowed only one decoy, it would be a small red/white.  But with that said, I have a box full of decoys of many shapes and colors and keep changing until one seems to work better that day.

[MJ1657]

If i was allowed only one decoy, it would be a small red/white.  But with that said, I have a box full of decoys of many shapes and colors and keep changing until one seems to work better that day.

I agree with you. I have a tiny red/white that has worked awesome.

I hope everyone took my other post as a fun poke at spearing. My very first and favorite decoy is a Bear Creek natural northern I got as a gift when I started spearing.  Its not popular with the guys that carve decoys but I cant begin to tell you how many times its been in the mouth of a pike.

Last weekend the knot on my swivel came untied and it went to the bottom in about 12 feet of weedy bottom. I honestly almost cried when I seen it spiral to the bottom. Thank God I keep a strong magnet in my truck and after enough drops to the bottom I got it out.

[Y-bone]

I agree with you. I have a tiny red/white that has worked awesome.

You must have gotten that from a super awesome guy

[MJ1657]

You wouldn't be the super awesome guy I got it from would you?

[Y-bone]

It sure is

[MJ1657]

It sure is

You venture a long way from home being on this board. I'm easy to spot I use the same screen name on any board I'm on.

[rabbittrapper]

What kind of paint should I use? I am going to make my own decoys.

[jasonmichalski]

I airbrush cs coating systems lure and jig paint and clear on all my decoys! 

[Higgins]

The way I like them in order (if I could only pick 1 style)

1.Action: fast, I like a slow sinker that's well balanced with some what big fins (this helps to get those big circles)
2.Length: 10"-13" (most don't use decoys this big)
3.Color: red white
4.Shape: I like skinny decoys

[ND222]

My best luck has been red and white also.