Black or White Hull for Fishing???

[rpr]

Which is better? I heard some folks maintain that a black hull will spook fish.<br /><br />Any thoughts on this?<br /><br />What about mainatining a black hull?

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

A good question that in itself is filled with questions. Personally I think this is something that does not have a simple answer. I would say a lighter hull would be better than a dark one but I am thinking more grey than white. Of course in a small river or stream with lots of overhanging trees and such cammoflage might be good. Painting a canoe like a log would also come to mind here. I know salt water anglers that paint fish or use decals on the bottom of thier boat to mimic either a school of fish or bait. Above the water line definitly white or some other light color because of heat asorbtion. Kind of like touching a dark car and a light car in the sun. Anyway either one can potentially spook fish if they come too close but if I had to make a rule clear water especially places with no overhead cover a light color boat to match the sky dirty water or lots of overhead color a darker boat to match the water or cover.

 

[DJ]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

I always prefered white, or a light color. <br /><br />Dark MAY represent an airborn predator to species of fish that are prone to that type of predation.

 

[JB]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

My favorite LOTW guide uses a dark green hull. He says that shallow water fish, that like structure, will seek the cover of a dark hull but not that of a light hull. I have had musky on when fishing with him that tried very hard to get under and stay under the boat.<br /><br />I would think that most open water fish would do differently, except dolphin, who gather under any floating structure. I wouldn't be surprized at all if a dark hull worked better fishing floating structure for dolphin than a light one.<br /><br />Bottom line? I think in many situations a dark hull is better.<br /><br />No, I am not going to paint my Whaler's bottom black.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

C'mon. Think it makes a difference for fresh water fish....after all, how many bass or trout predators are the size of a boat? Salmon/steelhead ocean predators include killer whales (dark top, white belly) or sea lions and seals (black all over. Bears wait for salmon above water, and they're black (or brown or tan). In the spring, baby salmon and steelhead skulk under my boat (Petitte blue, laced with moss) @ my marina. They're hiding from seagulls, terns, mergansers and other flying predators (white) or swimming eaters: squawfish (brown); walleye, or trout. <br />Now we know why most fish have 290+ degree eyesight.

 

[sasham]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

I couldn't say about fresh water. But in Saltwater, I think a dark bottom is the way to go. I read an article one time, I think is was in Saltwater Sportsman, but it said when trolling offshore your boat is the biggest attractor you have so it should stand out when being viewed from below. Think about it, the boat is the first thing that's gonna get a fishes attention then they see your baits or teasers comming along right behind it. Seemed to make sense to me. The bottom on the boat I usually fish on is dark blue. Don't know if it has made a difference or not, but we usually manage to put a few in the boat.

 

[mlslocks]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

Paint one side black and the other side white and see what side you catch more fish from.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Black or White Hull for Fishing???

lol mslocks, great response!<br /><br />I will go with a medium grey on mine...<br /><br />Shawn