Aloha from Kauai 12many, what isle you stay..?
Ahi are a tough one…
Color IS very important most times…What color is is a changing thing, daily / weekly / yearly.
I like chrome heads on some colors, the contrast is good between them & skirts.
I Also like resin kine too…`they get teeth marks on em after time….
I have my friend that makes lures make mine as I like em, `Bird Lures, some, I’ll have him match best colors to head colors, some, I like a lot of contrast ..?
Email me if your interested & I can give you his web site addy, he’ll make em how you want them…& / or tell ya what’s biting here on Kauai at present, our fish / bait is same as Oahu.
capt@fishingkauai.com
A few of the tackle shops will know & tell you what’s been hot so you will buy from them, some won’t…
I just posted this picture up with good Ahi skirt colors, check, they are pretty Standard…
http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=6914
Here is a pix of one of my standard patterns, notice the big round jet, it IS my All time Best lure for ALL fish, big & smaller…all three are great Ahi lures, the two resin ones my friend made for me…
http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=5272
If your targeting Ahi, it doesn’t hurt to go with 300 or even 200 lb. leader, long leaders help too.
Many like to drag a bird teaser in front of lure for Ahi, clipped to swivel.
Small Aku, under 3 lb. make Great live bait for Ahi too if at the Fad’s. or if Holding elsewhere,
Speed is slower at times for Ahi than ono or Marlin but not much, find a good speed for YOUR boat where the lures that are supposed to push water do yet don’t tumble or jump out.
At gaff, keep boat idling forward so fish can’t get under / into props.
Medium drag is best for strike, AFTER fish slows after first run, you can go up if needed but too much at start & it could break line easily.
Aloha from Kauai Good Luck & Have FUN</font color=red> 
Dan
Stand Up!!!
