Jig color is not at the tippy-top of our list for factors to consider when choosing your bait, but there are some days when it can make a difference. In this video, Brad Hawthorne reveals a few of his favorite colors for walleye jigs and how he goes about choosing ’em.

When I am picking jig colors for walleyes, I’ve pretty much used the same thought process throughout my whole career, and that is to simplify the color choices down.

So let’s say you can’t catch fish on crankbaits and you notice crayfish are molting or that it may be a crayfish bite. I’m going to use an orange and black or a red and black jig. I am going to match my jig head with the bait the fish are eating.

I know that is pretty obvious but you would be surprised by how many anglers overlook that.

The other way I choose my jigs is by going off what hot colors are working for crank baits or spinners.

Let’s take Mille Lacs for example. UV pink is a hot bait in the summer for crankbaits and a hot bait in the winter for Jigging raps and Ripping raps. Thats going to be the first jig I start out. 

When you look at Leech, Grand Rapids, Winnie area. Blue and white has historically been a really good color out there, and a lot of it’s clear water.  I mean that’s a pretty zappy color to be using in clear water, but the fish absolutely love it.

My kind of program is whatever crank baits work well, whatever color spinners work well, you just put that right into your jigs color selection.

Another example would be on Winnie for instance; blue and chrome blue and white has always been a spectacular color out there along with natural perch. When I’m fishing Winnie I’m starting with blue and white or something in the natural perch and natural perch.

Every manufacturer out there makes really good jig colors nowadays and that’s largely because of us the consumer who have said hey we just don’t want plain white jigs anymore and that we want our jigs with several different colors on them the jigs nowadays oh they look custom painted.

When it comes to walleye fishing, choosing the right jig color can make all the difference. Over the course of my career, I’ve developed a simple plan to help simplify color choices for jigs and spinners. In this article, I’ll share my approach and some tried-and-true color combinations that have consistently produced results for me. Whether you’re fishing with crankbaits, jigs, or spinners, this guide will help you make informed color choices to increase your chances of success.

Simplifying Color Choices

If you’re struggling to catch fish on crankbaits and find yourself resorting to jigs, it’s important to consider the prevailing conditions. For example, if crayfish are molting or there’s a crayfish bite, I recommend using an orange and black or red and black jig. These color combinations have proven to be effective in such situations.

Similarly, when fishing in lakes like Blacks where UV pink is a hot bait for crankba aits in the summer, it’s worth trying UV pink jigs as well. UV pink has consistently produced results for me, whether it’s with crankbaits or jig and wraps. So, having a UV pink jig in your tackle box is a must.

Another color combination that has worked well for me is blue and white. This color combination has been historically successful in the Leech Grand Rapids Winnie area, especially in clear water. It may seem like a bold choice, but the fish absolutely love it. So, don’t hesitate to give blue and white jigs a try when fishing in clear water conditions.

Applying What Works

One of the key aspects of my approach is to take what works with crankbaits and spinners and apply it to jigs. For example, if blue and chrome or blue and white crankbaits have been successful for you in a particular lake, try using the same color combination in your jigs. This approach has consistently yielded positive results for me.

Similarly, if natural perch has been a productive color for crankbaits, consider starting with blue and white or natural perch jigs when fishing in lakes like Winnie. These color combinations have proven to be effective in attracting walleyes in these waters.

The Evolution of Jig Colors

Fortunately, the fishing tackle industry has evolved to meet the demands of anglers like us. Manufacturers now offer a wide range of colors and patterns for jigs, thanks to the feedback and preferences of consumers. Gone are the days of plain white jigs. Nowadays, jigs come in custom-painted designs with intricate details that can mimic the appearance of various baitfish and prey.