History of Chartreuse: Fishing’s BEST color?

[@BassFishingArchives]

Great video Retro! Thanks for the shoutout! Terry

[@ohyousooners]

Since chartreuse and yellow can't be distinguished from white through bass eyes, I think what fish see and respond to in chartreuse is the intensity of the color. It still looks very bright even in low light conditions.

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

That has been my suspicion for a while. Chartreuse = bright white.

[@chipyeahoo]

You’re absolutely correct in the assumption of brighter colors reflecting more light. Under many water conditions the color white would appear yellowish at a depth and/or distance of a few feet or less to fish and humans simply because most of the light not of certain wavelengths is either absorbed by dissolved solids or can’t penetrate that far, but a plain white lure won’t reflect as much light as a bright or fluorescent color will under the same conditions. Put a white and chartreuse (or any fluorescent color) lure under a black light and while the white portion may appear lighter, the brighter colors fluoresce. They’re much brighter because those colors both reflect more of the available light and they apparently reflect light of other wavelengths as well, most notably ultraviolet wavelengths, so I’ve read. It’s also known that many fish can see in the ultraviolet spectrum and it’s hypothesized that this may be what fish see. I’ve also read literature that suggests that bright colors may be visible at a greater depth/distance and appear as a color different from the actual color. Chartreuse may appear as bright green or fluorescent orange may appear as a shade of red at distances/depths that would normally make the lure appear as shades of grey. I’ve heard people claim that at certain times fish responded to a chartreuse colored lure when they wouldn’t respond to the same lure in just white. It’s anecdotal but I’ve had similar experiences while fishing myself.

[@stevebrockway4738]

Loved this episode! I had a co-worker at the outdoor store I worked at that always called the color "Chartoose". 😂

[@scottehrlich6653]

“ a lifetime of catches washes over my minds eye “ poetry brother. Brilliant

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for watching, Scott!

[@dougsaroma]

The Hellbenders I fished with as a kid were usually yellow with black ribs, but the yellow was more of a warm yellow than leaning chartreuse. It caught a lot of dang fish, though. I've always thought of chartreuse is bright yellow with a slight green tint, almost the same as a classic highlight marker.

[@SWCFLORIDA]

Didn’t know I needed to learn more about chartreuse. Now I do. Thanks Chris

[@RetroBassin]

I’ll do that to ya, Jon!

[@ohyousooners]

Such a great feel good channel! Your content always takes me back to childhood in grandpa's fishing boat.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, good buddy! More than anything else, fishing it old school is about keeping the sport fun and light!

[@chipyeahoo]

Very informative. Chartreuse is definitely a favorite bass attracting color, up there with bright orange. I’ve read an e-book titled “Why Fish Don’t See Your Lure” by Dr. Greg Vinall that takes an depth look at how fish including bass might perceive particular colors under different water, light and weather conditions and at different depths and distances. It’s got a lot of insight into proper lure color selection under different conditions. It’s the same type of study and theory that was behind the Color-C-Lector and gives particular insight into bright and fluorescent colors such as chartreuse.

[@raptorman6589]

Black power worm and a chartreuse tail is my favorite worm

[@RetroBassin]

That’s a good one!

[@LowBrowFishing]

That was a really great dive into the history of chartreuse! It's fitting because I've actually been catching some nice bass this fall on a chartreuse spinnerbait in pretty clear water. If not for a freak accident, I don't know if we'd have the exact version of this effective color, although I'm sure something similar might have been developed, given the millions of dollars dumped into bait research and manufacturing. But I'm glad it happened the way it did. Makes for a much better story!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for tuning in, LowBrow!

[@HomesteadOnThePreserve]

Both informative and fun, this video rates 5 out of 5 stars!

[@williamfriggle]

Great video. I would love to see videos on two of my favorite companies. Mepps. And Rapala. I don't think you have done videos on them yet. Thanks for the videos. Love them.

[@RetroBassin]

Yes and yes!

[@upnorthoutdoors989]

Great show, thanks!

[@TomKirkman1]

Charles Helin, inventor of the world's all time best selling lure (FlatFish, over 60 million sold) was one of the first to push orange as a great color for lures. I didn't think Chartreuce even came into being until the 70's. It is definitely a great color.

[@VB-bk1lh]

When I was a kid, we didn't have money for fancy baits, we would hit the four for a dollar bin at the local department store then paint the often white or green lures to the colors we knew worked best. We would grab bits of caution tape and sometimes bits of Christmas tree tinsel. mixed in. We fished a lot of cedar water back then and visibility was an issue. At night, we used lures we spray painted black, sometimes with glitter skirts added to the tail hook. Sometimes we would use bits of holographic vinyl on the sides as well. We often raided the trash dumpster at a few local sign shops for bits of bright vinyl scraps too. These days, chartreuse skirts and plastic baits are a go-to favorite for striped bass in saltwater, and it works well for fluke as well.

[@RetroBassin]

Great story…thanks for sharing!

[@NewOlSchoolFishin]

The Retro Professor 🤠

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, NOS!

[@michaelwadsworth7569]

It was very interesting to hear about the history of chartreuse colors with fishing lures... 🤠

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for tuning in, good buddy!

[@gdc-Americanforlife]

This is a great piece of work. Color will always be questioned. When fish are hitting only one color of bait, who cares, only those who do not have that color.

[@RetroBassin]

I sure ain’t about to thin out my color collection!

[@sugarmama212]

You’re gold. You keep the comedy and the facts intact! Preserve the history and the heresy…stay strident we’ll be watching

[@Fisherman_83]

I have that same strike king grass frog but in orange. I bought it when I was 14 years old when I live down in Louisiana

[@dennisross3477]

Here in the N.W. trout, steelhead, and salmon love it also.

[@NewOlSchoolFishin]

Chartreuse really seems to piss fish off !! Make them hit with some uncontrollable reflex ! Gotta love it 🤠

[@MilesChamberlain]

Man Retro, that Fenwick Eagle satchel is looking real sweet! Still remember when you got that, I think we need to see a new walkthrough of it! Great video.

[@RetroBassin]

Wow! Yup, converted that find to my lipless crankbait box…a walk thru is in order!

[@gaoutkast5847]

From Macon....so u get Xtra luv. Luv da channel 100%! Great Job!

[@RetroBassin]

In Savannah today!

[@lifeoutdoors2day357]

Great video, I really enjoyed this. My grandpa once said "chartreuse makes it more better boy"

[@RetroBassin]

Well said!

[@KeithMeyer-ou2yo]

I remember in the mid 90’s as a kid buying a chartreuse strike king buzzbait and destroying bass in the California delta. Been hooked ever since 🎣

[@RetroBassin]

Love it!

[@Radvera]

lol, had to subscribe. I'm a fishing nut from south Ga. Yeah Baby, taught Bill Dance how to tie his shoes....(just kidding). I've got Jimmie Houston lures in one of my tackle boxes (unopened form the 80's and Mepps Cyclops Chartreuse spinners (unopened). rock on! with the videos! and yes, I wore out several of those Chartreusee Grass Frogs, still have some in my tackle box, white ones as well.

[@vitoparrinello4003]

You should make more videos like this I loved it and it's educational towards fishing keep up the good work..

[@RetroBassin]

This was a fun one to research. Bass Fishing Archives was a huge help!

[@tdubbs5935]

Very cool, I always was curious about chartreuse

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I fish in the Chesapeake Bay and I use chartreuse lures a lot. It was good when I grew up in Florida too. Chartreuse 4" Gulp swimming mullet are pretty hard to beat, and it works in lots of conditions. If I only had 1 color it would be white but the next one would be chartreuse for sure.

[@RetroBassin]

Stripers love chartreuse for sure!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

@@RetroBassin I just moved here in July and I haven't figured out the stripers yet. I live in Hampton and people tell me the stripers should be around but I haven't seen any yet. Today at Fort Monroe there were a bazillion mullet, it seems like stripers should chase them. Redfish were biting and trout have been caught there a lot lately. So hopefully I'll meet someone who can teach me about stripers. I think they're similar to snook in FL in some ways. I need to find out!

[@FounderOf4]

Love this video Retro.. and thanks for referring us to BFA, he has at least one new subscriber today!

[@RetroBassin]

You won’t be disappointed!

[@kyleholder7465]

This is a really cool video and I can't wait to show my dad. We both loved to fish chartreuse baits and they've always done very well for us and for all species.

[@Big.Cliff.Outdoors.And.Cuisine]

Love this video Retro, especially the bass thesis results at the end! Growing up I was always fascinated with the color Firetiger, I would love a video on that color as well. Tight lines bud 🤙

[@timdonnelly8392]

The Best in any water stained or clear!

[@Gstar5150]

I actually remember i used to use a Hellbender Crankbait they worked amazing for white bass.

[@skinskin8549]

Best colour ever!!!!!

[@phoenixw2w]

A+ Retro Bass History Lesson More please

[@RetroBassin]

Will do! What next?

[@phoenixw2w]

@@RetroBassin History of color Firetiger? Origin story of the football jig?

[@22mpb]

@@RetroBassinyeah do firetiger next

[@Stumpjack]

Watching this one later than usual. Excellent deep dive into the history of chartreuse and how it came onto the fishing scene. Mighty interesting!

[@tonepilot9484]

Great video. Very informative. Always enjoy your videos

[@DsTackleBox]

Thanks for the reminder on the fish and their limited color sight! I don't know why we like all those bright lures!🤩 We usually keep, Chrome, White belly colored lures, and brown n black lures mainly when fishing. Gonna have to test this chartreuse a bit more and see how it does. ✌️🤠 Ttyl Chris!! Been down sick but we will be on it tomorrow!!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, D! What color next?

[@DsTackleBox]

@@RetroBassin origins of 'Smokey Joe'

[@SJBassin]

I love the deep dives you do. Keep em comin.

[@RetroBassin]

Will do! What’s next?

[@SJBassin]

@@RetroBassin man tough one... Creme maybe?

[@Glock-1]

I know bass see green and red well but like black/blue and chartreuse/white I bet bass can probably see tint differences in the 2 colors like lighter and darker. Mark Sexton from Berkley said they can even see black flake in green pumpkin baits! That is really cool

[@dizzious]

Chartreuse Gulp is my go-to for jigging in the pacific.

[@samuelschult985]

Pretty cool history lesson 👍

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@bayouburner281]

Great episode Mr.Chris 👍🏻

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, Bayou!

[@epiceric1202]

👍 Simply fantastic video! Great work Retro!

[@RetroBassin]

Chartreuse is one “epic” color!

[@keithpowell2786]

Love this exclamation, never heard it before, thanks for the hard work

[@sedireloading1204]

Love these history dives like this. I would like to see a video on some Dan Gapen lures. Like the ugly bug or flub dub.

[@RetroBassin]

Will do!

[@ShaneFlintOutdoors]

Very informative, thanks for the lesson. Now I am not sure why I need so many colors of lures, based on the research.

[@RetroBassin]

Don’t worry, I won’t tell!

[@RichardMckenzie-h2j]

Yeah pretty cool

[@jamesthompson1323]

That was dope!! Thx

[@chrisnietzel692]

Chartreuse grubs killed the lmb for me as a kid in socal- Probably Mister Twister- cranks too- Norman has some strong chartreuse colors that are really good. Of course all the best spinnerbaits have it

[@mattbender6374]

Love this episode!

[@jonbates5873]

Love the history you show!!!!! more please!!!!!

[@RetroBassin]

Glad you liked, Jon!

[@JasonSSG]

Excellent video!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for tuning in, Jason!

[@warnerww83]

This was fantastic!

[@garyshaw3112]

Thanks for the info. A great video as always.

[@txhuntsman]

Cool episode!!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, Tex!

[@BobbyBalsaRNM]

Awesome video as always!

[@RetroBassin]

Many thanks, Bob!

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

I was surprised to see a spoonplug in your video preview photo.

[@RetroBassin]

Good eye! Actually you’ve reminded me to do that Buck Perry video…

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

@RetroBassin I will have to subscribe now so I can see your Buck Perry video. I started to read Bucks writing as a kid in the late 60s. Buck was then the Education Editor for Fishing Facts magazine. Al Linder wrote for them, too, before starting In-Fisherman.

[@johnmedina2470]

❤the contact! Where can we get merch?

[@B.A.Bassangler]

You say chartreusato, I say chartreusata, haha. You've outdone yourself on this PHD level dissertation!

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Ugly Stik history might be a crowd pleaser.

[@michaelsheppard4227]

Pretty cool

[@victorremick9721]

Was coming back from Bimini in the early early 80s I putched my yellow and black snag less Sally in about 6-7 miles off port Everglades inlet the person I was with said put that thing away. Long story short we pulled in to port with 17 dolphin. As we were checking in with costumes. Yep the ole black & yellow did it again

[@RetroBassin]

Offshore Snagless Sally catch!? No way!

[@cute_animalsanddrawingvideos]

Had the same bait it was a great one wish they still made

[@MrIlancito]

very interesting! loved the content. You found your glasses!. Is there something similar that you could do in regard to scents?

[@RetroBassin]

History of Attractants….great idea!

[@jeremyroberts6690]

Have you ever heard of a Tony Accetta minni mop?

[@RetroBassin]

No but heard of the Pet Spoon!

[@mthomas91088]

Dang man how old is that rebel tackle box right behind you, I had that same box given to me. Left it on the side of my house and someone stole the thing 🤦

[@RetroBassin]

Wasn’t me! Hah

[@mthomas91088]

@@RetroBassin when were those boxes made anyways? 90s??

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

Good morning retro bassin my question ❓ is why did California used the Chartreuse color for all emergency vehicles why did California keep the Red color

[@RetroBassin]

Great question! At a Veterans Day parade and every fire engine is red!

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

@@RetroBassin o ok retro bassin out her in California in the city I live in all fire 🚒 trucks and ambulance 🚑 s are all red colors not chartreuse color

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

@@RetroBassin all send you some pictures of the Los Angeles county fire truck and ambulances thy are all red in color retro bassin all send you the pics I was thinking of it's possible if you could talk to @marlingbaits or @engineeredangler to see if they can make some fishing lures like swim baits and top water popper in honor of the Los Angeles county fire 🚒 trucks and ambulances out her in California with the red colors

[@kyleoden3015]

Works wonders to entice salmon also.

[@RetroBassin]

Sure does!

[@taichi8008]

Thank you for the interesting story 👍 ̖́- ‬ ✨

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@trentfindley7212]

which Longview news was that?

[@RetroBassin]

Texas, I think!

[@trentfindley7212]

@@RetroBassin my first thought was that!! but it's easy for me to think that with Longview being next door to me

[@chrishartleyjr.5523]

9:40 maybe they don't photo good back tben.

[@613BASS_N]

Shared to 613BASS'N 😎

[@erickmischke38]

New to channel. Surely he’s done a story on the Storm WiggleWart! Can someone here link me to that if he has? TIA!

[@RetroBassin]

Yessir! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5XIi6VsnM-NeZIfeature=shared

[@michaelbyrne8860]

Fish see charteuse and green shades like man sees the color red!

[@johnm2617]

So a bass only sees 4 colors ? White -yellow - black - and blue ??

[@blind_eye_fishing]

No the see reds clear, greens clear, white/light colors as a white and dark colors as a black. So they can see red and green variations clearly. That's why red works well in times forage has red on them and why green pumpkin is such a universal great color choice.

[@johnm2617]

@@blind_eye_fishing Thanks man ! For clearing that up

[@RetroBassin]

They can see red and green hues best and confuse white/chart and black/blue.

[@blind_eye_fishing]

@@RetroBassin black, blue, medium grey and darker browns all look like just like a dark profile (black). They are very close to a color blind individual that only sees white (all light colors) as white, black (all darker colors) and shades if grey look off white or lighter black. But wiggle exception of seeing reds and oranges in shades of red and various greens in various shades. I found reading about all that through the most recent studies to be very interesting. I read it all to figure out best colors to shade lures while custom painting them, my newest part of my favorite hobby (fishing anything and everything) lol

[@baitchuckin]

Awesome history lesson!!! I have some old MF gear I should send you, you'll have a field day! LOL Cheers and Tight Lines brother!!

[@joshuagibson2520]

These days, I NEVER see green with black flake rubber worms, spin tail grubs, or anything else. Used to be a staple color.

[@gregchilders7643]

Another one is brown.

[@RetroBassin]

No yellow, red, blue, green, either!

[@RetroBassin]

And where is all the old school polka dot?

[@madtownangler]

Kinda funny I don't have anything of that color for fishing. I go for natural fish colors on everything

[@RetroBassin]

What’s your favorite natural pattern?

[@madtownangler]

@@RetroBassin blue gill or if I'm fishing near the bottom I fish with perch. We don't have any shad that I know of around here. I mostly fish with cutbait for catfish and flavored corn for carp. The last time I fished for northern pike or musky I used a bluegill rattle trap for an entire week.

[@madtownangler]

When I use a spinner bait I use a blue skirt or blue and red skirt. No one else seems to use that color around here I have to special order that color.

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

Feel like I am the one person who isn't a huge fan of Chartreuse... It isn't horrible, but I have just not ever used it that much. Maybe for crappie, just not as much for the big predators.

[@RetroBassin]

What’s your favorite color?

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

@@RetroBassin Green Pumpkin, hate to say one so plain, but she gets the job done. Even on paddle tails like Keitechs, if I could only have one, it would be good ole GP.

[@wayned5872]

Food for thought Paint white with chartreuse metal flake or chartreuse paint with white metal flake

[@carlmchale8341]

I knew it

[@collector_effectors]

I believe that black and blue and chatreuse white are not a solid color to a bass. They are seen as two contrasting colors that are very close to the same and THIS is more natural and difficult for bass to 'recognize' and why these colors still fool big smart fish. One study Berkley did showed that lures that have a defined 'top and bottom half' like a laminate soft plastic or a skirt with one color on top and another on bottom catch more trophy (6+ lber) bass than solid colors. I think chatreuse and blue simply offer this top and bottom impression that entices predators to strike.

[@richardpcrowe]

I suspect that the artificial paint jobs on lures, intending to match bait fish are actually wasted. Case in point, the "cedar plug" salt water fishing lure... It is equally effective without paint as it is painted. I think that surface lures, especially, do not benefit from the artistic renditions which many lutes are decorated. I suspect that having a dark (black) and light (white or chartreuse) lure would be all I need for surface lures.

[@karlneumann6833]

If it ain’t chartreuse it has no use 😂

[@MMK86]

if it ain't chartreuse, it aint no use!

[@RetroBassin]

I’ve heard that before!

[@georgiabowhunter]

I've had more success on chartreuse, for all species of fish, then any other color.

[@RetroBassin]

Straight chartreuse or with other colors?

[@georgiabowhunter]

@@RetroBassin Both, but more success on black and chartreuse. I think for two reasons. The first is because solid chartreuse baits are less common in most lineups. The second reason is Ive fished black and chartreuse a lot more than solid chartreuse because of reason one.

[@PickinDoc]

Fun Fact #1: the only two populations that use the word chartreuse with any regularity are bass fishermen, and gay clothes designers. Fun Fact #2: in several studies, (in normal daylight) bass couldn't distinguish between chartreuse and white. 🤣