Kayak Colors - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Angh · 01-31-2014, 08:20 AM

Hey everybody,
So I am new to this whole sport and after borrowing kayaks for a few trips I have decided to make the investment

. I'm looking at the Malibu Stealth 14 and am wondering how much of a factor color is. Is it true that brighter colors spook fish and attract sharks? I have heard those rumors but I also think that a bright color would be safer around large boats. What do you all think?

spudz · 01-31-2014, 08:40 AM

Color is a personal choice. I think kayak color is a non-factor to fish/sharks. Personally, I think they rely on other senses more than vision. But, if I were navigating a boat around kayakers... I'd certainly see the yellow or mango colored kayak before I’d see the camo/blue/green yaks. If you choose a hard to see color, definitely use the wind socks/flags so others can see you... you may opt to do this regardless of color of your yak.

Happy paddling!

jruiz · 01-31-2014, 09:03 AM

If you think about it I think evolution and natural selection have pretty much determined what the best color is for things that lie on the surface. Many fish are white on their bellies so that they blend in with the bright surface above.

Fiskadoro · 01-31-2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jruiz

If you think about it I think evolution and natural selection have pretty much determined what the best color is for things that lie on the surface. Many fish are white on their bellies so that they blend in with the bright surface above.

There you go thinking again

Jimmyz123 · 01-31-2014, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angh

Hey everybody,
So I am new to this whole sport and after borrowing kayaks for a few trips I have decided to make the investment

. I'm looking at the Malibu Stealth 14 and am wondering how much of a factor color is. Is it true that brighter colors spook fish and attract sharks? I have heard those rumors but I also think that a bright color would be safer around large boats. What do you all think?

Personally I like bright colors, easier to be seen by boaters. I have seen great fish caught from all colors of boats. Go with what you will like more.

StinkyMatt · 01-31-2014, 11:27 AM

Pink is really HOT for trout!

I know that RAINBOW colored kayaks catch a LOT of fish......ask Ful Rac...he has one.

Seriously....I dont think that the fish care. The safety/ visibility by boaters part of a bright colored kayak, that makes perfect sense.

Have fun shopping.

skiptomyzoo · 01-31-2014, 11:38 AM

Discovery has two videos addressing similar that I saw a while back.

That said I am sure there have been tests by others as well.

Anyhow for them, yellow seems to be the only conclusive thing on attracting them (as it was in both tests).

Personally I would think the bigger factor to account for is being spotted by other boaters.

YakDout · 01-31-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Pink is really HOT for trout!

I know that RAINBOW colored kayaks catch a LOT of fish......ask Ful Rac...he has one.

Seriously....I dont think that the fish care. The safety/ visibility by boaters part of a bright colored kayak, that makes perfect sense.

Have fun shopping.

Not only is pink great for trout I also have heard that it's the only color in the spectrum that will detour a GWS

Fiskadoro · 01-31-2014, 11:46 AM

Fish effected by color?

You think that might be the case?

makobob · 01-31-2014, 11:49 AM

If it wiggles it will get bit!!!!

ctfphoto · 01-31-2014, 11:55 AM

I have a red kayak, very visible. My six year old son has a green kayak, almost invisible on the water, not a safe choice if you want to be seen.

dmrides · 01-31-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctfphoto

I have a red kayak, very visible. My six year old son has a green kayak, almost invisible on the water, not a safe choice if you want to be seen.

Sooo.....

...you don't like your kid?

TJones · 01-31-2014, 07:28 PM

not sure what season or episode, but they go into detail about sharks being attracted to certain colors . primarily red and yum yum yellow . the military has even done extensive research on this topic . obviously these two colors are probably safer due to the fact that you can be seen better . so there are trade offs . i would not recommend these colors at malibu .

. i think it is a safe bet that the military does not use yellow pfd's anymore .

01-31-2014, 08:20 AM	#1
Angh Junior Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Seal Beach Posts: 7	Kayak Colors Hey everybody, So I am new to this whole sport and after borrowing kayaks for a few trips I have decided to make the investment . I'm looking at the Malibu Stealth 14 and am wondering how much of a factor color is. Is it true that brighter colors spook fish and attract sharks? I have heard those rumors but I also think that a bright color would be safer around large boats. What do you all think?

01-31-2014, 08:40 AM	#2
spudz Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 78	Color is a personal choice. I think kayak color is a non-factor to fish/sharks. Personally, I think they rely on other senses more than vision. But, if I were navigating a boat around kayakers... I'd certainly see the yellow or mango colored kayak before I’d see the camo/blue/green yaks. If you choose a hard to see color, definitely use the wind socks/flags so others can see you... you may opt to do this regardless of color of your yak. Happy paddling! Last edited by spudz; 01-31-2014 at 09:42 AM.

01-31-2014, 11:49 AM	#10
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	If it wiggles it will get bit!!!! __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

01-31-2014, 07:28 PM	#13
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	check out shark week not sure what season or episode, but they go into detail about sharks being attracted to certain colors . primarily red and yum yum yellow . the military has even done extensive research on this topic . obviously these two colors are probably safer due to the fact that you can be seen better . so there are trade offs . i would not recommend these colors at malibu . . i think it is a safe bet that the military does not use yellow pfd's anymore .

01-31-2014, 09:03 AM	#3
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	If you think about it I think evolution and natural selection have pretty much determined what the best color is for things that lie on the surface. Many fish are white on their bellies so that they blend in with the bright surface above.

01-31-2014, 11:27 AM	#6
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Pink is really HOT for trout! I know that RAINBOW colored kayaks catch a LOT of fish......ask Ful Rac...he has one. Seriously....I dont think that the fish care. The safety/ visibility by boaters part of a bright colored kayak, that makes perfect sense. Have fun shopping.

01-31-2014, 11:38 AM	#7
skiptomyzoo Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 31	Discovery has two videos addressing similar that I saw a while back. That said I am sure there have been tests by others as well. Anyhow for them, yellow seems to be the only conclusive thing on attracting them (as it was in both tests). Personally I would think the bigger factor to account for is being spotted by other boaters.

01-31-2014, 11:46 AM	#9
Fiskadoro ....... Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,509	Fish effected by color? You think that might be the case?

01-31-2014, 11:55 AM	#11
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	I have a red kayak, very visible. My six year old son has a green kayak, almost invisible on the water, not a safe choice if you want to be seen.