What Color to Paint the Bottom of your Boat..?

[fishin4em2]

I made it to Oneida NY for a week of fishing (didn't do well) , but i noticed that the people who had white bottom boats ( me and others ) didn't do as well as the boats with color on the bottoms. We were drifting with a worm on a hook and a split shot in 9-14' of water just like everyone was and we caught a lot less fish. So i figured that it had to be the white bottom. Sounds kind of dumb, I know...
 If you guys could tell me what color your boats are, I might be able to decide which is best for me.

Thanks Folks for any input!


Fishin 4 em too

[MasterAngler]

I have always fished out of aluminum boats with no paint, so its a greyish bottom, and do well.  Never really thought much about it, but I guess it would be no different than wearing bright clothing when fishing shallow and/or clear water.  A duller color that resembles an overcast or partly cloudy sky would be a good idea, perhaps a shade of blue that would work on overcast or clear days.

[pikemaster789]

I dont know how much insight this will give you, but the natural color looking up from the fish's perspective would be blue and white. They sky and clouds. Nature has designed fish and frogs to have white or light bellies, so that predators looking at them from the bottom will see the white belly camouflaged with the sky and clouds. On the other hand most fish have a dark back so that predators looking from the air, and fish on top of fish look down onto dark backs that blend in with the water. Personally I have never noticed a difference in how many fish a white bottom boat catches compared to a colored bottome boat. I too use aluminum only (pontoon boat, 12' row boat, and pontoon paddleboat) all grey bottomed. I think the key is trying to be still in the boat and not sending loud noises and vibrations in the water. Sound travels faster through water than sound in air. Whenever I am in water that is clear and relatively shallow, I try to imitate the floating log, as to not scare the fish. This works extremely well and I have gotten pretty close to some real nice fish. I know carp probably dont matter to much, but as an example, when I am real still and move slow in my boat, ive actually had carp come up and investigate the boat.

[dukhnter8]

Never gave it much thought, except that a friend of mine had his boat bottom painted white at the water line the rest was camo and had SOS written in florescent orange.  I asked him why one day and he said if his boat ever flipped and he was clinging to it, the rescuers would be able to see him better. Just a thought.

[Quack_Attack]

I have personally owned or do own, white, red, marsh grass, OD green, and just plain old oxidized aluminum, bottomed boats. While fishin' Bass TX's I've been in boats of just about every color and shade. I can say that I've really never noticed a difference.

This is not to say however that the presence of a boat will not spook fish especially in shallow or clear waters. That is why many walleye and early season salmon/trout fisherman use boards or outriggers to get their lures away from the boat while trolling.

If other boats in the area are catching fish and you are not it is probably a presentation issue, depth, speed, size, color etc. or a combination.

[aquaman]

Last boat was fiberglass white bottom and caught lots of fish even spooky suspended walleye. First boat was wood with that anti fouling black (only color they had) and i thought oh crap this is going to be one big ominous shadow hovering over head of these fish. Wrong, that wood boat slayed em. Go figure

[JerryofWNY]

I remember Babe Winkelman lecturing at a fishing show advise not to fish from a yellow boat, as generally in nature yellow is a color of warning to animals. That was many years ago and don't know if he'd stick to that story or not. How bout you "yellow boat" guys? What do you think?

[aquaman]

I remember Babe Winkelman lecturing at a fishing show advise not to fish from a yellow boat, as generally in nature yellow is a color of warning to animals. That was many years ago and don't know if he'd stick to that story or not. How bout you "yellow boat" guys? What do you think?

I remember swede peterson lecturing how never to fish out of a red sun runner cause it would take you out to 75 ft and stop running.

[JerryofWNY]

I remember swede peterson lecturing how never to fish out of a red sun runner cause it would take you out to 75 ft and stop running.

Cute, real cute.

BTW I see it's for sale again if you're interested.

[aquaman]

Cute, real cute.

BTW I see it's for sale again if you're interested.

Yipes....................Ill take "battery acid enema for 200 alex"

[Slammerman]

I just wouldn't paint any big eyeballs or open mouth full of teeth on the bottom.

[kayak2fish]

I remember Babe Winkelman lecturing at a fishing show advise not to fish from a yellow boat, as generally in nature yellow is a color of warning to animals. That was many years ago and don't know if he'd stick to that story or not. How bout you "yellow boat" guys? What do you think?

I fish from a yellow kayak and at first I had considered painting it because, I hate yellow and, perhaps more importantly, I thought the fish would get spooked. After a few trips on big water in the fog and during the dark, however, I decided the yellow was worth the increased visibility - to other boaters. I think now I may try and two-tone it though. I have consistently caught fish, I am just not knocking 'em dead. Maybe a grey bottom? Anybody have any advice on what kind of paint to use on plastic kayak?

[Scientist]

I Anybody have any advice on what kind of paint to use on plastic kayak?

Krylon makes a specific line of paints for plastics. The color bonds with the plastic and is less likely to peel and the surface does not have to be scuffed up prior to painting. However, Not sure how long the color will last if the bottom is dragged on stone or concrete while launching.

[venisonman]

 I have an Ocean Kayak brand kayak/canoe, called the Ambush. It came in drab olive.
I used the Krylon. It comes in many colors and is called Fusion. It works without priming or scuffing.
It comes in many colors. KMart and Walmart carry it , as well as home improvement places.
I wanted to break mine up in camo for duck hunting, but  I use it for fishing as well.
It holds up pretty well. I do take 5 minutes to touch it up every Spring.
Sometimes I touch it up to adapt during duck season, depending on how green or how much snow we have.
That's mine on the right.