Apex

The famous watermelon apex seems universally loved, and has worked for me, but those suckers are hard to find.  I noticed the fire tiger pattern sorta seems like the next closest, and are cheap and plentiful.  I noticed the UV series also are cheap and plentiful.

Has anyone had any luck with anything besides watermelon?

I've heard Cop Car or Police Car(Black & White pattern) is a good choice.  Although from what I've read on the NCKA forums WMA is the most chosen color.  Not to highjack your forum but I would also be interested in what size Apex people use.  I successfully used 5.5 inch but thought the 4.5 inch may work when the bite is slow or the bait is like-size. 

I like to use the bigger ones, not sure if the fish care too much though. I've had good luck with the chrome, watermelon, cop car, blue/silver, etc.
Have a bunch on hand and change them up if one isn't working.

Cop car and pink ones.  You can go to Coyote Bait and Tackle, they usually have them in stock.  Forget it if you try to find them elsewhere.

I haven't used one in a while (last time was at Shelter) and I just alternated between watermelon and "cop car".

Outdoor Pro Shop (cotati/rohnert park) had a bunch of colors and sizes last time I was in there.

Brad's cut plugs work great. seriously.

I've had luck with cop car and make sure you change out the line and hook. I run 2 hooks if I'm not using a belly line and 50# test.

I'm a big fan of apex and have caught fish on various colors.  Watermelon, cop car, blue pearl, black pearl, clear uv. 

They all work, I think people just get caught up on the watermelon because thats what everyone talks about.  I only use the 4.5" size.

Thanks, fellas.  I’m a set it and forget it kinda guy but you’ve given me the confidence to stock up on a few different patterns.  FYI we have the UV patterns at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Milpitas.

An old timer once told me the vast amount salmon lures and the variety of colors are for the fisherperson and not the salmon.  I agree with him.

Personally I'm a set it and forget it kinda guy.  Bait using Krippled Anchovy was VERY consistent for me throughout this entire year from April to October.  You can't really go wrong with bait.  Just got to make sure its spinning properly and check it often.  Having two hooks on the line is also very beneficial. 

I'm not a very superstitious fisher (except when it comes to bananas) and its very difficult to build any statistical significance to tell you which color lure works better than others.  So many other factors to consider.  Especially for those trolling with only one rod.  Even then sometimes I'll be trolling with 2 rods and only one rod will go off all day even though we are using the same lure on each rod.  Salmon move, they can either be there or not, and it can all happen in a blink of an eye.  If a big school moves in and EVERYONE around me is catching fish and I'm not, then yeah perhaps something is wrong.  More likely than not if you consistently maintain speed, depth, and presentation it will happen.  One thing I noticed from observing other kayak fisherman on their quest for salmon this year is that I don't think they consistently move fast enough for a long enough period of time.  Salmon fishing is about putting in large amounts of time with all other factors consistent. And yeah, I have a motor so I know its a bit hypocritical for me bring that up. 

On my first Albion trip I didn't realize they sold chovies at the campground and I forgot to bring them.  I used my Silver Horde Coho Killer spoons and did very well.  Does that mean I will now ALWAYS use my spoons and that specific color because it was probably my best day of 2019?  No, I probably would have done just as well if I was using chovies or an apex for that matter. 

All that said, and like others have said, watermelon is popular.  Does that mean it does best? Watermelon is probably the most used color, so we hear the most reports.

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox.  This year was a blast!!!  I had some great opportunities and met some cool kayakers.  We'll see y'all around.  Come down to Monterey Bay in April 2019.