Ever cast your favorite lure again and again, only to have the fish completely ignore it? It can feel like you’re speaking a language the fish just don’t understand. Choosing the right fishing lure color is one of the most frustrating parts of a fishing trip. You stand at the tackle shop, staring at walls packed with bright oranges, deep blues, and shimmering silvers. Which one will actually work today?
The wrong color can mean the difference between a full cooler and an empty one. Water clarity, sunlight, and even the mood of the fish all play a role in which hue gets noticed. Stop wasting time guessing and start catching more fish! This guide will break down the science behind lure colors. You will learn exactly how to match your lure to the conditions.
By the end of this post, you will feel confident picking the perfect color every time you hit the water. Ready to unlock the secrets that make those fish strike? Let’s dive into the colorful world of effective fishing lures.
Top Fishing Lure Colors Recommendations
- Make your own soft plastic baits in the colors you want. A few drops of Circle B Tackle 2 oz Plastisol Colorant added to your plastisol before pouring is all you will need to create that perfect fish catching color you're looking for.
- Our “plug” sealed 2 ounce bottles feature an easy to use dropper design to assure product integrity during shipping and comfortable, controlled application of product while in use
- Available in a number of proven colors, the Circle B Tackle 2 oz Plastisol Colorant give anglers the ability to dial in their soft plastics to absolute perfection.
- Our professional grade line of colorants for use with all weights, durometers and colors of Plastisol lure making compounds. Our colorants arecreated to provide a familiar customer experienceby matching color concentration and compatibilitywith other colorants currently on the market.
- Make your own soft plastic baits in the colors you want. A few drops of Circle B Tackle 2 oz Plastisol Colorant added to your plastisol before pouring is all you will need to create that perfect fish catching color you're looking for.
- Available in a number of proven colors, the Circle B Tackle 2 oz Plastisol Colorant give anglers the ability to dial in their soft plastics to absolute perfection.
- Our professional grade line of colorants for use with all weights, durometers and colors of Plastisol lure making compounds. Our colorants arecreated to provide a familiar customer experienceby matching color concentration and compatibilitywith other colorants currently on the market.
- Our “plug” sealed 2 ounce bottles feature an easy to use dropper design to assure product integrity during shipping and comfortable, controlled application of product in the field.
- Color: Red, Yellow, Black, Grey;
- Size: 3/8inch(10mm);
- Quantity: 160 pcs.
- 10PCS Lure:Weight: 0.81oz; Length: 5.5in, Hook Size:4# ;Lifelike eyes, High resolution body detail, 3 strong and sharp treble hooks.
- Brilliant colors:Brilliant colors and realistic crankbait with lifelike bait fish swimming action to attract fishes which can be used in both saltwater and freshwater.
- Mental ball inside:With steel ball inside,Control barycenter easily,cast far.Noise model design,make crank baits more easily to be sensed.
- All styles have a brilliant crystal fish attracting reflection, a responsive darting action, durable ABS body material and new sharper stronger hooks. Vivid eyes and lifelike scale patterns?Create lifelike swimming action to attract predators' attention.
- These minnow lures targets fish in upper water, including Bass, Walleye, Redfish, and Speckled Trout, etc.. They feature bright colors, dual anti-corrosion hooks, stainless steel split ring and simulated fish scale.
- Size: .030 Large
- Heat & Solvent Resistant
- Great for Hobbies & Crafts
- Comes in 2 fl oz Wide Mouth Jar
- Made of Microwave Safe Polyurethane (PET)
- √ Glow in The Dark - The Luminous Shrimp Lure set is good for night fishing, Luminous material put on the inner hook.
- √ Premium Quality - Shrimp Lures are made of top quality silicone material,This makes lure soft and durable, life-like swimming actions.
- √ Lifelike Looking - High-quality forged shrimp, vivid and lifelike looking, easy to catch fish.
- √ Easy to Use - The Shrimp Lures are very easy to use.Just need to connect the fishing line,hook it up and use to lure the best fish you ever could.
- √ Good for - Catfish, Bass, Perch, Whiting, Snapper, Snakehead, Flounder, Jewfish, Kingfish, Mandarin Fish, Trout.
- Five different types combo option: 8861 series, each rubber skirt contains 44 or 49 colorful strands and each strand contains tiny pearl flakes for added attraction, looks more real. Each pack contains measuring 5inch/ 127mm in length, 0.028inch/0.7mm cut width.
- 8885 series, each rubber skirt contains 44, 45 or 47 colorful strands and each strand contains tiny pearl flakes for added attraction, looks more real.Each pack contains measuring 5inch/ 127mm in length, 0.028inch/0.7mm cut width.
- 8873 series, each rubber skirt contains 88 colorful strands and each strand contains tiny pearl flakes for added attraction, looks more real. Each pack contains measuring 2.5inch/ 64mm in length, 0.028inch/0.7mm cut width.
- 8879 series, each rubber skirt contains 80 or 82 colorful strands. Each pack contains measuring 4.3inch/ 110mm in length, 0.028inch/0.7mm cut width.
- Quick change rubber jig skirts replacement, dress up for spinnerbaits, buzzbait, spoon, blade, jig lures, etc, easy to mount on spinnerbaits or jigs. Quick change jig skirts, revamping your old ones, give your lures a new look in a matter of seconds.
- Make your own soft plastic baits in the colors you want. A few drops of Circle B Tackle 2 oz Plastisol Colorant added to your plastisol before pouring is all you will need to create that perfect fish catching color you're looking for.
- Add more for a darker more opaque appearance or less for that translucent look. Either way, your in control. Available in a number of proven colors, Circle B Tackle Colorants give anglers the ability to dial in their soft plastics to absolute perfection.
- Create your own soft-plastic baits in a variety of fish-attracting colors. Design a masterpiece for your favorite fishing hole, and enjoy more connections.
- The Circle B Tackle line professional grade line of colorants for use with all weights, durometers and colors of Plastisol lure making compounds. Our colorants arecreated to provide a familiar customer experienceby matching color concentration and compatibilitywith other colorants currently on the market.
Choosing the Right Colors: Your Ultimate Fishing Lure Buying Guide
Picking the right fishing lure color can make the difference between an empty cooler and a fantastic day on the water. Fish see color differently than we do. This guide helps you choose the best lures for your next trip.
Key Features to Look For in Fishing Lure Colors
When you look at lures, think about how they look underwater. Good features help the fish spot your lure easily.
- Visibility: Can the lure be seen from far away? Bright colors like chartreuse or fire tiger work well in murky water.
- Contrast: Does the lure stand out against the background? Dark colors work well under bright sun or against light skies.
- Flash/Iridescence: Some lures have shiny parts. This flash mimics the scales of baitfish. This feature attracts hungry predators.
- Natural Mimicry: Does the color look like the local food source? Natural colors like silver, shad, or green pumpkin are often winners.
Important Materials and Construction
The material holding the color matters. The paint job must stick around after many fish bites and rough contact with rocks.
- Durable Paint: High-quality lures use tough, chip-resistant paint. Cheap paint flakes off quickly, making the lure look dull and unnatural.
- UV Reflectivity: Some modern paints reflect ultraviolet (UV) light. Fish can often see UV light better than human eyes. Lures with good UV paint attract more attention.
- Clear Coats: A thick, clear protective coat over the color helps seal it in. This coating keeps the lure looking new longer.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Lure Quality
The quality of the color application directly affects how often fish strike.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Even color application with no streaks.
- Sharp, distinct patterns (like defined stripes or spots).
- Colors that remain vibrant even after being submerged for a long time.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Faded or washed-out colors right out of the package.
- Poorly painted eyes that look smudged.
- Colors that bleed into each other when wet.
User Experience and Use Cases: Matching Color to Conditions
You must match the color to the water conditions and the weather. This matching is the most important part of using colors correctly.
Bright Sun/Clear Water:
When the sun shines brightly and the water is clear, fish can see everything. Use natural, subtle colors. Think silver, white, or smoke. These mimic real baitfish best.
Cloudy Days/Murky Water:
When visibility drops, you need high contrast. Bright, bold colors work best here. Chartreuse, bright orange, or flashy fire tiger colors cut through the gloom.
Deep Water:
Water absorbs light as you go deeper. Reds and oranges disappear first. In deep water, use colors that reflect light well, like chrome or bright blues, to maximize visibility.
Always carry a range of colors. If one color stops working, switch immediately! Fish moods change quickly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Fishing Lure Colors
Q: When should I use bright colors like chartreuse?
A: Use bright colors when the water is dirty, murky, or during low-light hours like dawn or dusk. They offer high visibility.
Q: What are the best colors for clear water?
A: Natural, subtle colors are best for clear water. Try shad patterns, silver, white, or light green pumpkin.
Q: Does the time of year affect lure color choice?
A: Yes. In the spring, when fish are often spawning or feeding heavily, bright colors often work well. In the cold of winter, more subdued colors are usually better.
Q: Why do some lures have black stripes or spots?
A: These markings create contrast. They help the fish track the lure and focus their strike on a specific spot, often the head.
Q: How does water depth change my color choice?
A: Deeper water washes out warm colors. Switch to cooler colors like blue or silver that penetrate deeper water better.
Q: Are glow-in-the-dark lures useful?
A: Glow colors are fantastic for night fishing or extremely deep, dark water. They create their own light source.
Q: Should I worry about the color of my fishing line?
A: The line color matters less than the lure color, but using low-visibility or fluorocarbon line helps keep your entire presentation stealthy.
Q: What is a “universal” lure color that works almost everywhere?
A: Black or dark smoke colors are often considered universal. They provide excellent silhouette contrast in nearly all water conditions.
Q: How often should I change my lure color?
A: If you have not had a strike in 15 to 20 minutes, it is time to change your color. Fish get “color-shy” sometimes.
Q: Do artificial colors really matter more than action?
A: Both matter! The lure’s movement (action) gets the fish’s attention, but the color helps them decide to commit to the strike.