Can Bass See Color?

This is a topic that comes up many times whenbass to see under dark skies. When this happens we
discussing bass lures, and the proper colors to use.use the same browns and blacks that we use in the
Biologists know that bass can see colors, and theymuddier water, even if the water is clear, but it has
probably can see red and green better than a human.become cloudy or very dark.Chartreuse is another
Bass also have better visual acuity, which helps themexcellent color when its cloudy. We found that
during daylight and the darker periods of the day nearChartreuse is more effective on small lures such as
dusk. Although there has been much written aboutgrubs and small crankbaits. We just use it as a
how bass use their lateral line and sense of smellsecondary color on the larger baits in these conditions.
when feeding, their eyes are still their most vitalJust the right amount of a bright color such as orange
sensory organ.LURE COLOR AND WATERor chartreuse can attract bass, just as too much of a
CLARITYThe clarity of the water is a key factor inbright color can sometimes turn them off! The best
determining what color lure to use. In slear water, thatthing to do as a rule is to add bright colors to the baits
is les than five feet deep, bass can see colorsa little at a time until you determine what the bass
extremely well. In thses conditions lures that mimic thewant. Once, in Virginia, the bass absolutely wouldn't hit
baitfish available, such as spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, andany lig you had unless it had a small fleck of
crankbaits, should be used in silver and gold finishes.Chartreuse on the trailer. Too much and they ignored
The silver and gold flashing more closely resembles ait.ADD FLASH WITH FLAKESThere are many soft
baitfish in this type of water, and as they wobble, andplastics that come with different flakes built it. A
flash, they attract bass from long distances.When youYamamoto "IKA" tube in smoke , is a good example.
are using lures such as ligs, tubes, worms, or anythingThis worked extremely well for us this year in all the
that is designed to resemble a crawfish or an eel, thenrivers and lakes where there were a lot of shad, and
the best colors would be a subtle breen or brown inthe"Sweet Beaver" worked well also, but seemed
the clear waters. In stained water, which is what wemuch better than the Kreature on several occassions
have the most of here in the Northeast, that is waterwhen there were not as many shad but more
with a visibility of around one to three feet), differentcrawfish in the areas we sampled.Flake colors usually
colors may come inti play. Brighter colors such aswork best when it is sunny in clear to stained water.
firetiger, charteuse, citrus shad are better producersOn cloudy days, or in muddy water, try using different
here. In muddy water, (that is water that has a visibiltyplastics with black flakes, or pepper, mixed in for
of one foot or less), dark colors produce the best.contrast. There are many other color combinations
Bass will hit on crawfish patterned crankbaits, brownthat work well in various waters all over the country,
jigs with orange trailers, black and blue plastics,but if you learn these simple basic techniques for color
etc.SKY CONDITIONS AND COLORMany peoplematching you can't go wrong.Steve vonBrandt
don't pay enough attention to the sky conditions duringSponsored by: GYCB (Yamamoto),Okuma, Delaware
the day.The changing conditions of the sky dictateTackle, TTI-Blakemore, and Ambush Lures. is the
what color you should be using.When fishing minnowowner of S&K Guide Service in Wilmington, Delaware,
type lures, keep in mind that shiney colors like silverAnglers Radio in Delaware and New Jersey,
and gold loose their effectiveness under heavy cloudReeltimeanglers, Bass Lure Review, and Delaware
cover. In clear water, silver or gold can be renderedTackle in Delaware. He also is a tournament angler
nearly invisible when the sun goes behind the clouds,and freelance outdoor writer. He has over 40 years of
because they reflect the grayness around themfishing experience in the Northeast, 5 years exp. in
instead of the sunlight. When this happens we alwaysCalifornia. He has fished freshwater and saltwater
switch to a bone or a pearl-white color. Jigs, Creaturesince 1962, and has devoted to freshwater only since
baits, and other bottom type lures can be hard for1989.