Color - another controversial subject -AGAIN! Food for thought though...

[Spoonminnow]

This reply addressed color underwater. Many of the replies could fill a book but these two shore replies spoke volumes.

Pinstriper said it all with this one statement:
"contrast adds definition to perceived shape and also motion, which are pretty important aspects of presentation."

as did Hobster: " choose lure and color based on past success, vibration is very important, and presentation"

My reply:
We can obsess all day about color, but color to each of us (especially those color blind) and fish (which may also be color blind for all we know), is different depending on so many factors as defined by the volumes of information posted above and google search definitions. Lure and live bait colors are perceived differently whether in the hand or in water - which is usually less-than-clear - as well as sun angle/time of day, cloud cover, depth, background (as related to the surface, lateral to or the bottom), shade (algae, shoreline trees, docks) and the actual properties of a color.

Then there are mixes of colors that contrast with each other such as is found in patterns and the use of black dots or stripes (see examples below). In soft plastic lures, color flakes are suspended in clear or translucent colored plastic so that brings up the question: what matters - the combination of colors or specific colors?

The nice thing about making and testing lures for over 30 years is discovering that lures that produce consistently usually do well using different colors regardless of background considerations. Lure design: shape, action, the material used to make it and size are primary with color an enhancement of those three as well as motion. When it comes to blade baits or chrome finishes, color is not even a consideration as strobe-like flashes pass by a fish and cause reaction-strikes.

What does contrast mean to fish that survive based on their sensitivity and state of awareness all hours of the day? Color brightness or black certainly contrasts to a background, but what is it about what moving objects do in a stationary environment as perceived by fish? Do certain motions/vibrations and body/tail shape as detected by the lateral line provoke most strikes regardless of color? Moving objects that contrast to a fish's environment are basically stimuli-fish sensitivity correlations just like color brightness or hue.

In each of these examples, which factor was more important as relates to contrast as defined in general:



Was it the color, lure motion or shape & size or a combination of all of these that was more important in provoking the strike? All I know is that after catching fish on a lure - whether bought or handcrafted - I make sure I have it in my box and in colors I have confidence in for each (which can be added to).

[NIMROD]

I say maybe light or dark but specific colors more to catch fishermen . It is more important profile and presentation . Livescope has re enforced this in my opinion. Confidence sure helps when your fishing . I have confidence in tube baits not changing colors but finding fish . Here is the colors I use . Purple/chartreuse in 2'' tube 1/8 th oz jig head and orange/chartreuse in 2.5'' tube on 1/4 oz head .

[Spoonminnow]

NIMROD's choices and reasons for them are a perfect example of what I was trying to relate in the post. What's more are the lure choices one has on any one day that can catch fish without limiting oneself to guessing what fish are feeding on or some color based on whatever. The lures in the photos all caught fish in the same water on the same day and there were more than those that caught fish.

[SKs Crappie Catching Adventures]

NIMROD's choices and reasons for them are a perfect example of what I was trying to relate in the post. What's more are the lure choices one has on any one day that can catch fish without limiting oneself to guessing what fish are feeding on or some color based on whatever. The lures in the photos all caught fish in the same water on the same day and there were more than those that caught fish.

Those bass on that lake you're fishing site do seem to like that one crayfish pincher jig you make....LOL
And does color matter? You bet, when it matters......

[Micanopy]

When I am catching fish in rapid succession…..seems all the colors of the rainbow are working. Sure might catch a few more on this color, but if I turn around and troll back through, the other color gets more. Change lure types and that is different. So for me it is about trying to find fish and from there, the best way to make the presentation of my confidence lures. I am in agreement that color is not as important as many suggest it to be. However, I am still gonna have me a fine selection of different colors at the ready. LOL- not brave enough to venture forth with just two colors.

[Spoonminnow]

"And does color matter? You bet, when it matters......"

So true - but mostly because once a lure has caught fish in a certain color or a few colors, I don't really need to bother using any others. My superstition about color kicks in and in my mind I must carry those colors for that lure; other specific colors for other specific lures. And you know what - fish found are fish caught thereby supporting those color choices and me as the Einstein of fishing - at least for that moment. LOL


"However, I am still gonna have me a fine selection of different colors at the ready. LOL- not brave enough to venture forth with just two colors."

[DockShootinJack]

Color catches far more fisherman than it does fish. The fishes natural forage does not change colors no matter the water clarity or lack there of

[Ketchn]

Hard to beat a bright chart most days in my opinion . White is my second and then orange , with a close to third place being hot pink .
More often than not the 2 things of concern for me are highly visible and "smells" right .
On the last few trips to a spot full of them , it is REALLY obvious the more visible it is the more bites that will occur , the fella that owns that lake will tell you flat out "yellow" is his go to there .
No scent required at that spot , just something in bright yellow and just set the hook once the jig hits the water , other colors require work to get bit on in there , just saying .

[Spoonminnow]

Color catches far more fisherman than it does fish. The fishes natural forage does not change colors no matter the water clarity or lack there of

First sentence I agree with. But color must change depending on available light, water clarity and lure depth. Even if fish get close to a lure, what they see is what it is at that moment, not what it is above water on a sunny day.

Ketchn gave a good reason for considering bright colors. I look at it from the perspective that, 1. lure action gets and holds a fish's attention and 2. color(s) annoy a fish even further - especially those that stand out and that emphasize a lure's action. The quiver of those black pincers shown above is emphasized by the dark color against a light background. Bright chartreuse emphasizes the tiny quiver of thin tails whether round or flat. A lure appears twice its size to a fish when brightly colored because of the way it stands out.

A fish's senses like that of any predator are super sensitive to what is felt, heard and seen - in that order or in other words: perception. The rest is, do I bite that freaking thing or not?!!!

[BobC]

Excellent thread and good observations by all.
Bob