Using Pink Lures in Salt Water texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout Perhaps it's because it's too feminine or otherwise not `manly' enough to be deemed worthy of tackle box space, but Texas saltwater anglers have long ignored one of the hottest colors for coastal fishing. However, fishermen who have garnered the gumption to throw pink hues have quickly learned it's a color that attracts females of the finned persuasion as well as it does their human counterparts. In the case of pink lures in Texas' coastal bays, of course, those females are primarily sow speckled trout and bull redfish. “Somehow, I had a bunch of pink lures - mostly the old-style Kelly Wigglers,” admitted longtime Lower Laguna Madre guide Capt. Eddie Curry. “But, I never would throw them. I don't know if I thought they were too `girly' or what, but I had those things forever and never used them. “Then one day, we were fishing under the birds. It happened to be spring when the wind is up and the water is a little sandy. I started throwing those things just to use them up. And, we started catching some really good fish - both trout and reds. I think that's when I decided that pink works pretty good. From then on, I never minded throwing them.” Most anglers who regularly throw pink started off doing so the same way Curry did - somehow they ended up with pink baits in their box, started throwing them to get rid of them and ended up catching plenty of fish. And, the vast majority of them have continued to buy and fish pink lures - they just don't talk about! It's really no surprise pink works so well. Similar to chartreuse, it's bright enough to be seen in dirty water. Yet, perhaps because it so closely mimics the natural color of shrimp, it works equally as well when the water's crystal clear. Others argue pink lures and fly patterns mimic, color-wise at least, the exposed flesh of wounded fish. And, pink is close enough to red to pass for `blood in the water.' Of course, it's also impossible not to notice how closely pink worms and touts imitate the marine worms trout and reds love to gorge on. “You know, when I first started fishing pink lures, I fished them mostly in sandy-brown water,” Curry added. “Since then, I've fished them in `chocolate milk' water and just slammed fish. And, I've caught good fish with them in clear water. So, they can work in just about in water condition.” Whatever the reason, those brave enough to tether a pink lure to the end of their line have generally found success at the other end of a cast. Curry, however, does have one complaint. “It's kind of hard to find pink lures now days,” Curry observed. “I mean, they work great, they're just hard to find. I guess it's because so few people throw them.” True enough, though there are perhaps more colors, styles and sizes of lures on the market today than ever before, finding artificial lures shaded pink is a bit of a challenge. However, those willing to dig through tackle store shelves and flip through catalogs will find an ample supply in all makes and models. Among the best on the market today are: HARD BAITS Most people assume pink baits only come in soft-plastic versions. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, some of the state's most spectacular sow specks have been taken on pink-tinged plugs. MirroLure 51 & 52 Series - Two of the all-time favorite lure series among Lone Star State saltwater anglers, the 51 and 52 Series MirroLures each are made in a pink/silver/pink color scheme. These baits, in this color (HP), are deadly on speckled trout along the surf and in Texas' deeper bay systems. MirroLure Catch 5 & Catch 2000 - Both of these popular suspending baits are offered in pink color schemes. Whether it be pink/white/pink or pink/silver/yellow, sluggish specks find these baits tough to resist. Rebel Pop R - One of the best things about the `bubblegum' Pop R is you can see it every bit as well as the fish can. This is extremely helpful when attempting to track the lure through or over structure. The pink color combined with the Pop Rs unique sound make this bait tough to beat for a variety of saltwater species, including specks, reds, snook, jacks and Spanish mackerel. Bomber Long A - This popular floater/diver is available in a pink/flash/pink pattern. Featuring a wobble reminiscent of the Cordell RedFin - a legendary Lone Star State sow speck seducer in its own right - pink flash Long A is deadly on giant speckled trout. This is particularly true of fish inhabiting shallow flats along the Southern Texas Coast. SOFT-PLASTICS There is a wide-array of pink soft-plastics. However, they are often labeled as `bubble gum' or `menthiolate.' And, some manufacturers have taken to combining pink with chartreuse and other colors in baits labeled as `electric chicken,' `Texas chicken,' or other poultry laden titles. Stanley Wedgetails - As Curry noted, pink lures show up well in off-colored water. As most anglers know, vibration is also a key component to dirty water success. That's why, as Curry can attest, the 5-inch Stanley Wedgetail Minnow in Electric Chicken (pink/chartreuse) is so productive when the water becomes muddy. The bulbous tail that gives the Wedgetail its name transmits plenty of fish-attracting vibration, while the vibrant `chicken' color pattern allows fish to zero in for the kill. YUM Forktail Dinger - On the other end of the spectrum is the Forktail Dinger. This subtle bait is tremendous when dead-sticking trout from potholes on grassflats. Patience is certainly a virtue for anglers fishing the `Dinger, as it often seems the less the bait is moved, the more deadly it is on skittish skinny water specks. DOA Shrimp - Perhaps the most popular - and effective - artificial shrimp, the DOA Shrimp comes in both pink and pink/silver glitter. These baits are very effective when fished under a popping cork or dead-sticked along channel edges, near structure or in potholes. Bass Assassins - Popular lure manufacturer Bass Assassin offers both split-tail and paddletail shad baits in Electric Chicken. Assassin also offers a `Chicken Bone' color pattern - pink on top of a creamy bone color - that is extremely effective for both redfish and specks. YUM Sweet Cheeks - Relative to the other lure models mentioned above, the Sweet Cheeks is the `new kid on the block.' However, this scent-enhanced swimbait has proven effective on a wide-variety of species from mangrove snapper to tarpon and virtually everything in between. The Rainbow Trout color pattern is one of the best color schemes offered. It's green back, translucent pink sides, white belly and spots make it a great imitation of a juvenile speckled trout - which just about anything in saltwater will eat. TTF Puzzler Worm - Texas Tackle Factory is best known for its `killer'-line of baits. However, they still manufacture and market many traditional Texas saltwater baits - most of which were originally sold under the Ray's Lures label - including the Puzzler Worm. This stubby worm, which is surrounded by a nylon skirt, is sold as a tandem, Speck Rig-style. However, the Puzzler can be fished as a single bait as well and has proven deadly on flounder, speckled trout and redfish for decades. No matter which model you choose, if you're serious about improving you catches in coastal waters, make an effort to add some pink-tinted plugs and plastics to your lure selection. Once you do, you'll realize why other's don't say much about throwing pink lures - they're not ashamed and insecure, they're closely guarding their secret color. texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout