We have all been there, throwing out every lure at the giant fish we see on our fish finder just to end up missing the opportunity. Maybe it was just a bad day, or maybe the fish wasn’t going to bite anything. Is it possible maybe the fish could not locate the lures based on the colors?
Can fish see color?
Yes, fish can see color, fish can also recognize patterns also! Fish eyes have rods and cones like ours that produce colors. Although depending on the species of fish, the amount varies. Some fish can also see UV, which is why those patterned lures are so popular.
How does color react in the water.
Color is a set of wavelengths that an object reflects. The longer the wavelength, the quicker it will disappear in the water. UV light will travel a significant amount further than red will in water.
Light penetration also plays a factor in how deep a color will still be visible. Once your lure passes that threshold, the lure becomes a silhouette, and the color no longer plays a significant role.
The more turbid the water is affects the ability for light to penetrate the water. With less light penetration, the colors underwater will fade at even shallower depths.
As you can see in the picture above the turbidity of the water greatly affects the depths at which a color is visible.
How to gain the advantage
If you are fishing a shallow bank on a calm day, fish will see just about any color pattern you throw at them. If the water is stained, turbid, or deep, you will lose some colors of the spectrum. In one area your red craw pattern will be visible; in the other it will look nothing more than a grayish silhouette.
Using the graphs above can help you decide on a color pattern that will help your lures stand out.
If you are fishing above your target fish, some of the colors may be lost due to the fish seeing through the water column. Even if your color pattern should work at the depth your fishing it. Using colors that stand out, such as white or chartreuse on the belly of the lure will help your lure stand out.
Whether you are a seasoned tournament angler or just a guy trying to prove to his son you are the best fisherman in the world, researching your target species and learning their habits will increase the amount of fish you put in your boat. Gain every advantage possible and FISH DIFFERENT!
