With patterns and colors ranging from the classics such as the fire tiger to the newest color shifting and ghost colors, it is sometimes overwhelming to pick a lure color. Some days chartreuse is hot other days it’s one of the many shades of pink, but does it really matter? Yes, colors can trigger hunger or reaction strikes from bass. Colors also look different underwater, being affected by clarity, depth, light penetration, etc.
How water conditions affect lure colors
Water conditions can greatly impact the visibility and effectiveness of different lure colors.
Clear water: In clear water, lighter, natural-looking colors such as silver, gold, or brown can be effective as they mimic the appearance of prey and blend in with the environment.
Murky or stained water: In murky or stained water, brighter, more contrasting colors such as chartreuse, hot pink, or bright green can be effective, as they are more visible to the fish.
Low light conditions: In low light conditions such as the early morning or overcast days, darker colors like black or blue can be effective, as they provide a strong contrast to lighter surroundings.
Note that these are general guidelines and are commonly agreed on to be the most effective. Nothing is set in stone though, sometimes thinking outside the box can land you a trophy fish.
How water depth affects lure color
The depth at which a fishing lure is being used can influence the color that is most effective. In general, the deeper the water, the darker the lure color should be, as lighter colors are more quickly absorbed by the water and become less visible.
This is because water absorbs light and the deeper you go, the less light is present. Darker colors like blue, black, and purple are less affected by the water’s absorption of light and are therefore more visible at greater depths.
Other factors also such as water clarity, light conditions, and the species of fish being targeted can also play a role in determining the most effective lure color. We cover this topic more in-depth here!
Does lure pattern matter when bass fishing
We know that colors change once in the water, and are affected by depth, clarity, and light penetration. The pattern you choose also can be the difference between a wall-mounted trophy or just some pictures of the sunrise.
Fish can recognize patterns and use this ability to determine what prey to eat and which ones to avoid. Scientific studies that were conducted on this theory have concluded that bass can memorize consistency in patterns to avoid certain prey due to toxicity or even being caught. Read more about it here.
This is why the hot new pattern is normally only “hot” for a few years at the most. Then it becomes the well nothing else is getting hit pattern. Some consistency is good though, such as the spot-on shad lures that can potentially produce a hunger strike.
Final Thoughts
So next time you hit the lake to catch some bass pay attention to the water conditions, depth, and local forage of your lake before choosing which lure to throw. Try throwing out a custom-painted lure that cannot be mass-produced, to avoid bass memorizing the pattern and associating it with a traumatic experience. Every little detail counts, and every piece of knowledge counts. Go out and FISH DIFFERENT the next time you see that trophy swimming around the docks you may end up getting to take a picture with it!
