The Secret to Choosing the Perfect Lure Color for Bass Fishing

Short Answer:

Selecting the right lure color is straightforward when you understand what colors bass can see and how water clarity affects their vision. Bass have dichromatic vision, meaning they see colors differently than humans. They see red and green well but can't distinguish blue from black or white from chartreuse. For high visibility water, use natural colors like green, brown, and shad colored lures, and use red sparingly. For low visibility water, opt for darker or flashier colors like black, blue, and red. Overall, you can never go wrong throwing natural colored lures.

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Why Lure Color Selection Matters:

Although not as important as some would have you believe, lure color selection does matter, especially if you are throwing dark water or high visibility, flashy lures in clear water.

Conflicting Information:

There's a lot of misinformation about lure color selection. For instance, some anglers swear by using black or blue lures with a chartreuse tail in dark water. Similarly, some believe that pink lures work wonders in high-pressure areas, but studies show minimal impact of lure color on bass catch rates.

Latest Research Findings:

Recent research from Current Zoology shows that bass have dichromatic vision, meaning they can see and differentiate red and green but not blue and black or white and chartreuse. This means choosing the right color involves understanding these limitations.

Human Vision (left) VS. Bass Vision (right)

What Colors Do Bass See?

To select the right lure color, you first need to know what colors bass can see. According to the researchers in the article linked above, bass have dichromatic vision with red and green cells, but they lack the blue filter that humans have. This means bass see everything through a red and green filter.

Red and Green:

Bass can identify red particularly well. If you're using a lure with red in it, bass will likely see it clearly. This is useful information when selecting lures for different water conditions. Bass also see green, but since they lack the blue filter or cone that humans have, this color looks more brown to them.

Human Vision (left) VS. Bass Vision (right)

The Importance of Water Clarity

Water clarity is the main factor that needs to be considered when selecting what color lure to throw.

High Visibility Water:

High visibility water is when you can see your lure down in the water for 2-3 feet or more before it disappears. In these conditions, bass can see your lure clearly even from a distance. Here, it's best to use natural colors like green, bluegill, and shad colors, with some reds here and there, but not a lot.

In this situation, it pays off to be more subtle and use lures that mimic whatever the bass are feeding on in both size, shape, and color. For example, there's a local pond I fish where bass primarily feed on shad. I've never caught a bass there with a lure that looks like a bluegill. It just goes to show how important it is to match the lure to what bass are feeding on in high visibility water, because bass do often become habituated to certain food sources.

 Low Visibility Water:

Low visibility water is when you can only see your lure for about a foot or not at all once it enters the water. In these conditions, bass rely on quick flashes of color rather than a full picture. In this situation, flashier colors, and even lures that are loud, can help to attract fish. A completely red lure can be very effective in dark water since bass see red well.

What Color Lures Should You Throw When Bass Fishing?

High Visibility Water:

In high visibility water, you want to use natural colors that blend in with the environment. My go-to colors are:

- Green

- Some red, but sparingly (like the red on the belly and eye of a red-eyed shad crankbait)

- Bluegill

- Shad colors

My absolute favorite color for high visibility water is watermelon red.

Red-eyed-shad Lipless Crankbait

Low Visibility Water:

In low visibility water, I use:

- Black

- Blue

- Sometimes white

Since bass can't differentiate between black and blue, I'll buy whichever is cheapest. I also ensure all of my dark water lures have some red in them.

Rule of Thumb:

When in doubt, stick to natural colors like green, shad, and red. These mimic the baitfish and crawfish bass are feeding on, even in dark water.

How Important is Lure Color Selection?

Probably Not As Important As You Might Think:

There are researchers who reported that lure color played a minimal role in the total number of bass caught in their studies.

Feeling overwhelmed by all this information? Let me tell you, lure color selection isn't as crucial as some might think. There are other factors far more important in determining whether a bass will bite, and keeping these factors in mind will make you a better fisherman.

Factors More Important Than Lure Color

Fishing Technique:

The action and presentation of your lure are crucial. Experiment with different retrieve speeds and techniques to find what works best. Sometimes, a simple change in how you fish your lure can lead to more bites.

If you’re fishing slow, then try fishing faster, and vice versa. I cannot tell you how many times I have gone from catching no fish to absolutely crushing bass after figuring out which retrieval speed and presentation they prefer.

Location, Location, Location:

Knowing where to cast your lure is vital. Look for structures like fallen trees, docks, steep ledges, and grass lines. These are prime spots where bass are likely to be hiding or feeding. 

Final Thoughts:

Choosing the right lure color for bass fishing isn't as complicated as it seems. Focus on understanding what colors bass can see and how water clarity affects their vision. Use natural colors in high visibility water and darker or flashier colors in low visibility water. But remember, factors like fishing technique and location are often more important than the color of your lure.

I hope this guide helps you select the right lure colors and improve your bass fishing success. If you have any questions or want to share your experiences, leave a comment below. Happy fishing!