A fishing lure’s color is determined by the hue of light it reflects. As the depth deepens, colors start to be absorbed as this light’s wavelengths enter the water. The colors that create the longest wavelengths are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, in that order. The colors with the longest wavelength are absorbed first, meaning the hue fades and gradually appears black much quicker than all other colors. Warm colors are first to go, while cool colors hold on to their hue longest.

A fish’s perception of a lure’s color is also greatly influenced by the strength of the light. When fishing on a sunny day, more light from the sky can reach the bottom of the water more than it can on a cloudy day. This means that your colored lures will be visible throughout a wider range of depths. Even in clear water, shiny lures like silver and gold lose their effectiveness in cloud cover and can become nearly invisible in the absence of sunlight. This is because, rather than reflecting the sun’s shining rays, they reflect the grayness that surrounds them. It is usually recommended to toss dark colors during times like this to give your lure the maximum contrast and silhouette.

The Clearer the Water the Better Fish See

Duplicating or matching the hatch of the dominating baitfish can be beneficial while fishing in shallow areas. When the same level of water becomes discolored and visibility becomes impaired, switching to brighter colors like orange, red, or chartreuse will usually increase your chances of success. Although all colors are absorbed quickly in this circumstance, orange and red lures will still be the most visible underwater with chartreuse being a close second.

Criteria for Choose a Lure Color Contrast

The color of the background greatly influences a fish’s ability to see a lure. Even while a green lure may seem natural when fishing in dense foliage or in water tainted with algae, fish may find it difficult to identify it. Most of the time, we disguise our baits without even realizing it. Selecting a lure that stands out against the background you are fishing against is crucial in these circumstances. Lures with two tones are a great option for this situation.

The Color Correlation With the Fish Predator to Prey Offering

Fish are very perceptive animals. They are aware of what they want to eat, and they frequently go out of their way to find their favorite meal, ignoring less appetizing options. Walleye use color and body shape/profile recognition to track down every meal.

The phrase matching the hatch comes from fly fishing and refers to taking color into account. Offering a fish a lure that precisely matches the hue of their prey only makes sense that the fish hunting will be more attracted to the baitfish.

Experimenting with natural colors and, already pointed out, those that contrast with the background surroundings is another good idea while working in clear water. Clear water enables a fish to examine a bait more attentively, therefore the more time it has to examine your lure, so the clearer the water the more essential it is to make it look as realistic as possible.

Color Chart