Black: All Around Best Color for Saltwater Flies?

February 22, 2006 By: Marshall Cutchin

It is generally accepted that black and other dark colors are best for flies fished at night or low light, and in discolored water. But some anglers think that black flies are an all-around top choice. Is it because — as this article by Tommy Thompson suggests — they are more likely to trigger aggression? “Even in super clear water, dark lures can get the bite when flashier stuff puts fish off. Flats redfish anglers have reported great results by switching from gold or silver to all-black spoons in bright sunlight.” In Shallow Water Angler magazine.
For more on the effectiveness of black flies, read Chico Fernandez’s “Basic Black” on MidCurrent.