Choosing the right lure color for bass can make a huge difference in your fishing success. By understanding a few key principles, you can match your soft plastic lure to the conditions and catch more bass.

So, today we’ll talk about the basics of how to choose the right lure color. We’ll look at factors like water clarity, depth, the type of food bass are eating, and other important conditions.

Note: No doubt lure color is important, but it’s not just about the color. In fact, finding where the fish are and understanding their mood—whether they are active or inactive—is much more important

Our Basic Principles of Lure Color Selection For Bass

Here are some simple parameters that we consider for selecting our lure color.

Water Clarity

In clear water, bass can see your lure really well. That’s why using subtle, natural colors like green pumpkin or watermelon works best. These colors look more like the fish’s natural food, making them more likely to bite.

When the water is murky or stained, it’s harder for the bass to see. This is when you should use brighter colors like chartreuse or yellow. These colors stand out more. Darker colors like black and blue also work well because they create a strong silhouette that bass can spot easily.

You should read our guide on Water Clarity Lure Color Chart – Know Your Color

Depth

In shallow water, bright and reflective colors are your best bet. Colors like silver and chrome catch the light and attract bass from a distance. These flashy colors mimic the look of small fish, which bass love to eat.

When you’re fishing in deeper water, you need colors that stand out. High-contrast colors like chartreuse and white are perfect because they remain visible even when the light fades. These colors help bass see your lure better, increasing your chances of a catch.

Forage Patterns

Use lures that mimic the local baitfish, such as shad or bluegill patterns. This helps in making your lure look more natural and attractive to bass.

Time of Day

During bright, sunny days, natural and light-colored lures work well. Early morning, late evening, or cloudy days call for darker or more visible colors to stand out in the dim light.

Special Situations

Use dark colors like black or dark blue. These colors provide a distinct profile against the lighter background of the water’s surface, making it easier for bass to strike.

Early and late in the day, use dark-colored baits. During bright periods, lighter-colored baits are more effective. The action and noise of the lure are also crucial for triggering strikes.

Lure Color Selection for Different Types of Water Bodies

Choosing the right lure color can depend a lot on the type of water body you’re fishing in. Rivers, lakes, and ponds all have unique characteristics that can affect how visible your lure is to bass. Here’s how to tailor your color choices for each type:

Rivers vs. Lakes

Rivers and lakes often require different strategies due to their varying water clarity and flow. In rivers, the water is usually moving, which can stir up silt and reduce visibility. Bright colors like chartreuse or yellow can be more effective in these conditions because they stand out better in the murky water. Additionally, darker colors like black or blue can create a strong silhouette, making them easier for the bass to spot.

Lakes, on the other hand, can have clearer water, especially in deeper areas. In these situations, subtle and natural colors work best. Colors like green pumpkin, watermelon, and other natural hues blend in well with the environment and look like the bass’s natural prey. However, if the lake has stained or muddy water, switching to brighter or darker colors similar to those used in rivers can be beneficial.

Ponds

Fishing in ponds presents its own set of challenges. Ponds are often smaller and can have lower visibility due to murkiness. In these conditions, it’s essential to use colors that bass can easily see. Bright colors like chartreuse, yellow, and even red can be very effective in murky pond water. These colors stand out and can attract bass from a distance.

Another good tip for pond fishing is to use lures with added flash or vibration. This can help the bass locate the lure even if visibility is low. Darker colors like black or blue can also work well, especially if you’re fishing in deeper parts of the pond where the water is a bit clearer.

By adjusting your lure colors based on the type of water body you’re fishing in, you can improve your chances of catching bass.

Seasonal and Situational Adjustments

When you’re out bass fishing, adjusting your lure color to the season and specific situations can really boost your success. Here’s how you can tweak your strategy based on the time of year and the conditions:

Pre-Spawn: During the pre-spawn period, bass are on the lookout for crawfish. This is the perfect time to use crawfish-patterned lures in red hues. These colors and patterns mimic their natural prey, making them irresistible to bass.

Post-Spawn: After spawning, bass tends to feed on sunfish and bluegill. Switching to lures that mimic these fish can help you catch more bass. Look for lures with patterns and colors that resemble these species.

Summer and Fall: In the warmer months, especially during summer and fall, bass often school together and chase shad. Using shad-patterned lures can be very effective during these times. These lures look like the small fish that bass love to eat.

Night Fishing: When fishing at night, visibility is low, so it’s best to use dark colors like black and dark blue. These colors create a strong silhouette against the lighter background of the water’s surface, making it easier for bass to spot and strike your lure.

Topwater Fishing: For topwater fishing, adjust your lure colors based on the light conditions. Use dark-colored baits during low light conditions, like early morning or late evening, and switch to lighter-colored baits when it’s bright and sunny. The right color, combined with the lure’s action and noise, will help trigger more strikes.

Forage-Based Color Selection

When it comes to picking the right lure color, matching the local forage can make all the difference. Here’s how you can use forage-based color selection to catch more bass:

Matching the Hatch

During an insect hatch, the bass often feeds on the local bugs. Using lures that mimic these insects can be very effective. Pay attention to the colors of the insects around you and choose lures that match them.

Bass love to eat local baitfish like bluegill, shad, and crawfish. Matching your lure colors to these fish can increase your chances of a bite. If bluegill are the main prey, use bluegill-colored lures. For shad, go with silver or white lures. If crawfish are common, red and brown hues work well.

Local Forage Knowledge

Understanding the local forage is key to selecting the right lure color. Knowing what the bass are eating in your fishing spot allows you to choose lures that look like their natural prey. This makes your lure more appealing and increases your chances of catching fish.

Anomalies and Unique Situations

In bass fishing, the usual rules for lure color selection for bass often apply, but sometimes unconventional colors can be surprisingly effective. Here’s a look at when and why these unusual colors might work, along with some expert tips from experienced fishermen.

There are times when bass are not responding to the usual brightly colored baits, and that’s when you might want to try something different. Colors like pink or bubblegum, which you wouldn’t typically think of as natural, can sometimes trigger a response from the bass. These bright baits can stand out in the water and catch the fish’s attention when nothing else seems to work.

You should also check: What Color is Trout Most Attracted To? Lure Color Chart For Trout!

Expert Tips

Many fishermen have stories of success using unexpected colors. For example, some pros have found that when bass are not biting, switching to a hot pink or bright orange lure can suddenly attract them. There’s a method to this madness: these unusual colors can present something new and intriguing to the bass, making them curious enough to bite.

One fisherman recalled a time when using a neon green lure, which looked nothing like the local baitfish, resulted in an impressive catch. Another swear by a color called “fire tiger,” a mix of neon green, chartreuse, hot orange, and black stripes. While it doesn’t resemble anything natural, it has been a go-to color for decades and continues to produce great results.

Trying unconventional colors can be a game-changer, especially when the standard colors aren’t working. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these odd hues. Keeping a variety of these in your tackle box can be handy for those days when the usual colors aren’t effective. Brightly colored baits can help with light penetration in dirty water, and soft plastics in unusual colors can sometimes be the key to catching bass when they seem uninterested in more traditional shades. You might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

Now that you’ve selected the lure and color, read our detailed guide on bass fishing.