Matte VS. Gloss

[mark poulson]

I see a lot of lures with matte finishes, as opposed to high gloss.
When the matte gets wet, it looks glossy, so I'm wondering if there really is an advantage for one finish over the other.
In terms of strength of finish, the gloss is always stronger, but I don't think that's an important factor in the choice of finish.
So, what do you guys think?

[some guy]

I prefer High gloss. It protects the finish from uv rays better and is more chip/abrassion resitant.

I use a two part high gloss epoxy on all my baits.

[Oldschool]

Over the years matt hard bait finishes have proven to be better for big bass, smaller bass it doesn't make any difference. I over spray gloss finish lures with matt clear Krylon to reduce light reflection. Bill Murphy would coat his crankbaits with matt clear finger nail polish.
Tom

[some guy]

One of the best big baits in a long time is the lunker punker. All of Black dog baits for that matter. Look at the Shellcrackers. I know a TON of people who consistantly catch huge fish on it and its not a matte finish. It boils down to personal preferrence, both will get bit by big fish if presented correctly. It's more about the durablility for me, because I get bit on both.

[Todd Dunlap]

I like the matte with highlights.Changes in hues.Like Someguy said:It boils down to personal preferrence, both will get bit by big fish if presented correctly Thanks John Curry for the LITTLE GOODIE It has put some really good fish on my pond.Have a great time at Clear Lake.

[some guy]

No problem Todd. I am glad you are punishing your pond on that color. I had a feeling they would crush it there. I got more goodies for you when I see you at Clear Lake. Dont get mad Saturday when I start sending you pics

Big Unc came over last night, you should have seen the look on his face when I showed him the punkers i did for CL. His exact words " if that thing doesnt get bit im going to bite it"

It's truly about personal preferrence. The joy you get from catching a beast on something you painted or tied adds an extra level of enjoyment for me when I fish.

[bassenvy]

Aside from matte finishes breaking down faster they don't magnify transparents,metallics,etc nearly as well as a high gloss finish.

Every reference photo I've taken of a fish out of the water has a high gloss slime coat

[mark poulson]

Hmmm....lots to think about. Thanks.
The only time I can think it would make a difference is on a surface lure, on a clear day, when the sun might reflect off a gloss surface above the water line. But that flash might not be a bad thing. The trout I've seen being chased out of the water by big bass are flashing silver.

[buddy brown]

I don't think it makes a huge difference most of the time. I think that a bigger factor is opaque vs. translucent or foil vs. matte. Sometimes when throwin jerkbaits, they want the flash, particularly in open water or deeper water where they may be tracking the bait from down below or farther away or if they are on the move. Matte and translucents tend to work better for me in shallower, heavily pressured, clear,windless water or instances where you deadstick the jerk for longer periods. An opaque finish that is also a matte can also give off a different kind of slightly subdued flash that they may like. Somedays they are loyal to the foil other days they will eat canary yellow.

[Oldschool]

If you believe in active bass being active for short periods during any given day and are neutral or inactive far greater time periods, then you use slow moving lures with less flash.
The original Rapala foil minnow was not a bright glossy clear coat, it has a matt clear coating; subdued flash.
Active bass chasing baitfish the bright flash doesn't turn them off, either does the lure with subdued flash, both work.
Huddleston's are subdued flash lures and have a good track record.
The matt clear coated wooden swimbaits are the same color, just slightly subdued, to give me confidence to stay with the lure during slow periods.
Keep in mind I'm Oldschool and don't believe in metal flake powder coated jig heads and fish only simple painted jigs that also have a proven track record and confident using all day. If I was selling them, they would need to be eye catching.
Tom

[mark poulson]

Can you just rub down the gloss with fine steel wool to knock off the shine, and get the same effect?

[Oldschool]

I don't like to remove any of the fine artwork details some lures have. You can put the lure out in the sun to fade some lures, that takes a few weeks.
If you use matte clear nail polish or spray, it's gives the finish another protective coating. If you decide to do this; mask off the line tie, any hinges and hook hangers so the coating doesn't affect action.
Tom