When the cold tightens its grip on the Danish coastline, fishing changes dramatically. Sea trout become slower, food sources grow scarcer, and the fish get more selective. As a coastal angler and lure designer, I've learned that it's not just about finding the fish – it's just as much about choosing the right colour and presentation.
That's exactly why I developed Orbit – a Danish-made line-through lure that keeps rotating and delivering lifelike action even when I'm fishing slowly. In this article, I share my experience with all the colours I've developed for Orbit, and when I choose which one.
Why colours matter more in winter
In winter, sea trout often follow the lure for longer before deciding to strike. Cold water slows their reactions, and the presentation has to be spot on. In clear winter water I prefer subdued, natural colours, while in darker or murky water I go for higher contrast. Orbit holds steady in the strike zone at low speed – but the colour choice determines whether the fish actually bites.
Stickleback – natural imitation for clear water
Stickleback is my go-to colour when the water is clear and the fish are wary. The colour combination is brown, pearl and yellow – a very natural-looking pattern that imitates the prey sea trout hunt along the bottom and in the weed beds. It resembles a small stickleback or goby, and the pearl sheen gives the lure a subtle life in the water without looking artificial.
When I choose Stickleback:
- Clear water and high visibility, where natural colours don't spook the fish.
- Sunny winter days, where the pearl sheen catches the light and gives the lure a lifelike appearance.
- Wary fish that follow without striking – Stickleback is the understated alternative that often tips them over.
Raw Metal – clean and classic for all light conditions
Raw Metal is the most classic colour in my range. The bare metal throws light in all directions and imitates herring, sand eels and sprats – the baitfish trout chase year-round. On sunny days, Raw Metal reflects sunlight and creates vivid flashes that mimic a shoal of small fish. It's a colour I always carry because it works across a wide range of conditions.
When I choose Raw Metal:
- Clear water with sunshine, where the metallic flashes perfectly imitate baitfish.
- Sandy bottoms and open stretches, where the bare lure stands out naturally.
- As my default when I'm unsure about conditions – Raw Metal is a reliable starting point.
Gold / White – warm glow for low light and estuaries
Gold/White is one of my favourite colours on low-light days or in brackish estuaries. The golden tone gives off a warm glow in the water that draws attention without looking unnatural. The white part of the lure adds contrast and imitates the belly of a small baitfish. The combination is especially effective just after sunrise or just before sunset.
When I choose Gold/White:
- Morning and evening hours with low light, where gold gives a soft and natural sheen.
- Estuaries and bays with slightly coloured water, where gold stands out without alarming the fish.
- Over weed beds and dark bottoms, where the warm colour looks at home.
Red / Black – contrast and aggression in tough conditions
Red/Black is my colour for the hardest winter days. The black creates a strong silhouette and stands out sharply against sandy bottoms and weed, while the red accent acts as a trigger that activates the predator's instinct. The colour combination resembles injured prey and can provoke aggression in even the most sluggish sea trout. I use it best on overcast days and in murky water.
When I choose Red/Black:
- Murky water or low light, where the dark silhouette gives the fish a clear target.
- Overcast winter days, where red/black creates the necessary visibility without looking garish.
- Passive fish that need a provocative colour to react.
Hot White – white body with red eyes and red tail
Hot White is my provocative white winter colour. The white body imitates classic winter prey like sand eels and sticklebacks, but it's the combination with the red eyes and red tail that makes it particularly effective. The red detail acts as a focal point – something the fish instinctively aims for. During a spin-stop, the lure hangs in the water and flashes the white body while the red tail draws the eye.
When I choose Hot White:
- Overcast days and low light, where white offers good visibility.
- Lightly coloured water, where the red tail creates contrast and gives the fish a clear point of attack.
- Sluggish or passive fish, where the red trigger can stir aggression.
Pink / White – fluorescent and provocative
Pink/White is my fluorescent winter colour for the tough days. The hot pink shines through even in murky water and breaks the pattern when neutral colours disappear into the surroundings. In cold water, a sluggish fish can suddenly react violently to a fluorescent pink lure – it breaks their expectations and forces a response. I use Pink/White particularly in estuaries and bays with coloured water.
When I choose Pink/White:
- Murky water, where fluorescent pink cuts through when visibility is poor.
- Estuaries and sheltered bays with coloured water that demands high-contrast colours.
- Slow fish on cold days, where provocative colours can spark curiosity and force a bite.
Green / White – fluorescent green for dark days
Green/White is my second fluorescent colour, and it earns its place in the tackle box. The fluorescent green gives strong visibility in dark or coloured water, but feels more natural than pink in many situations. Green has a tint that resembles algae and vegetation, fitting well into environments with kelp and green banks. The white adds contrast and brings the lure to life.
When I choose Green/White:
- Dark and overcast days, where fluorescent green creates visibility in diffuse light.
- Over weed beds and green bottoms, where the colour blends naturally into the environment.
- As an alternative to pink when the fish aren't responding – the two fluorescent colours complement each other.
My advice for choosing winter colours with Orbit
After many years fishing in cold and wind, I've developed some rules of thumb that help me when I'm standing on the beach deciding on a colour:
- Match the light conditions: Gold/White works best in morning light and low sun. Raw Metal and Stickleback thrive in sunshine. Fluorescent colours like Pink and Green save the grey days.
- Switch regularly: Fish can be moody. If I haven't had contact after a few casts, I change colour and size to find what they're reacting to.
- Don't forget the technique: In winter I fish slowly with Orbit and use frequent spin-stops. During the pause the lure rotates and sends out pulses – and that's where most strikes happen.
Orbit – built for the winter coast
I designed Orbit because I was missing a lure that could maintain action at slow retrieve speeds and stay in the strike zone longer than traditional lures. Orbit is a line-through lure where the line runs through the body and out through a small tube – a design that improves hook-ups and reduces the fish's ability to use the lure as leverage to shake the hook. It's available in 8 g, 13 g and 18 g, and all 7 colours have been tested and refined in real coastal conditions.
Final thoughts
Winter fishing on the coast is demanding, but that's exactly what makes it so satisfying when you crack the code and land a bright fish on a cold day. Colour choice is a strategic tool – not a coincidence. Stickleback and Raw Metal for clear water and sunshine. Gold/White for morning sessions and estuaries. Red/Black for murky water and heavy skies. Hot White, Pink/White and Green/White when the fish are sluggish and need a nudge. With Orbit in your tackle box – and the right colour on the line – you're well equipped for whatever winter throws at you.
