When it comes to bass fishing, many experts put more importance on choosing the right lure color more than any other factor. While they know it is important to learn a fish’s location and mood, picking the right lure with the correct size, shape, and color is critical. So how do you know what color to use and when to use it? Let’s talk about it!
Since lures are sold in just about every color, shade, and combination possible, anglers could use some criteria for deciding on exactly which lure colors to use on any given day. The more experience that an angler has, the more they will realize that there are some colors that are much more effective than others.
Rules To Choose The Right Lure Color
One of the most important rules of choosing a lure color is to use a brightly colored lure in dirty, dingy, or muddy water and using more subtle colors in clearer water. The logic behind this is that a fish’s visibility is hampered by dirty water conditions, so colors like bright yellows and oranges are much more visible than something like greens and blues.
On the flip side, when water visually is clearer and the fish can more easily see a lure, it is best to go with a softer, more natural color. When pro anglers find themselves in water with poor water clarity, you will often see them tie on baits with the brighter colors but in clear water, they will try to mimic any natural baitfish or creatures such as crawfish, shad, or sunfish.
Besides the water clarity, the time of year and the preferred cover should also be considered when choosing a lure color. For example, if crawfish are the main food source during a pre-spawn season, a crawfish pattern crankbait or a brown colored jig would best imitate this natural prey animal. During the post-spawn season when many big bass are feeding on smaller bluegills, a sunfish-colored lure is a good choice and will be more effective.
Different Situations, Call For Different Lures
Two other situations call for special color considerations as well, mainly night fishing and topwater fishing. Most anglers who fish at night will use darker lures, such as black or dark blue. These colors provide a very distinct profile at night when they are silhouetted against the lighter background of the water’s surface. So a dark lure is much easier for a fish to see and strike at night.
Topwater fisherman use this same concept when fishing during low light conditions, and will opt for softer colors when using topwater during the middle of the day. While the presentation is the most important in topwater fishing, choosing the right colors will only help it to be more effective!
While there are no set rules on choosing a lure color, these simple guidelines can help you figure out a good starting point when deciding. You should always experiment while out fishing to figure out what works best for you and your area! Don’t forget to read up on Bradley’s Fishing and Hunting tips & tricks all year round!
