Colors are for leadcore. Each color out achieves a certain amount of depth. Coppers are typically rigged, with backing, the copper, then the desired amount of leader. Every 100 feet reaches roughly 20' of depth depending on what pound test it is. A larger capacity reel is also needed to get several hundred feet of copper on the spool. It can be used really anytime of the year as long as your not fishing too shallow. Youtube is a great resource to show you how its actually rigged. Also using the search bar on this site will show you other questions that have been asked along with other info