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PRODUCT
REVIEW
By Tom Nelson
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How do you explain something you can't see? That's what we are talking about with ultraviolet light. Science has known about ultra violet light for many years, but only now are people starting to use it. They are using it for everything from cleaning toothbrushes, treating injuries, and now incorporating ultra violet into fishing tackle.
One of the interesting properties of ultra violet light is that you can't see it. Actually, some people who have a divided retina can see flashes of it. Although, I wouldn't recommend stabbing yourself in the eye with a pointed stick just to be able to see ultra violet.
Fish, however, have more cones in their eye and see ultra violet colors quite well. Baitfish often reflect ultra violet colors, which of course then attracts predators.
Ultra violet light will penetrate as far as half a mile in water as long as conditions are right. But, it's just now, that anglers are beginning to use ultra violet colors to their advantage. Anglers are beginning to use it in a big way, as almost all major tackle companies are incorporating it into their product lines.
The first product for salmon anglers that incorporated the properties of ultra violet was the Purple Haze Squid. While it appeared white in the daylight, as it sank into the water, anglers would notice that it gave off a purple glow. Soon it was one of the most popular colors in the angler's toolbox.
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New ultra violet color is being used in flashers, bass lures, jigs, spoons and squid (hoochies).
Silver Horde, one of the more innovative tackle companies, recently introduced a new line of ultra violet colors on their most popular spoons and plugs, including, but not limited to the Coho Killer, #3 Kingfisher and the Sonic Edge. Those of us who have had a chance to use these lures over the past few months have been pleasantly surprised at how well they work. Since they really don't show their true colors when you look at them, it's hard to understand why they are so effective. But, effective they are! They are consistent salmon catchers! The only way anglers can see the lure as they appear to the fish is to look at them in a dark room under a black light. The following photos in this review were taken under normal light and black light to show a comparison.
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When do UV lures work the best? When the sun has risen. Remember UV lures don't glow. The colors you see in the photos taken under a black light show you how fish see them.
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Pictured above is the very popular Ace Hi Fly which has now had UV colors added. This added feature is sure to make them even more effective.