Fish Notice THIS Before They Notice Lure Color (Underwater Test)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips
Lure color gets way too much credit.
What actually decides whether a fish reacts happens well before color even comes into play.
Watch as I break down underwater footage I captured to show how changes in light can dramatically alter lure visibility.
Once you see what’s really happening down there, choosing lures becomes simpler, more deliberate, and far less guesswork.
You’ll save money, waste less time second-guessing, and still have the right options when conditions change.
Featured Gear:
Key Takeaways
- Color alone is rarely the deciding factor
- Visibility changes long before you expect it to
- Being around feeding fish beats any “perfect” color choice
Final Thoughts
Fish don’t respond to how a lure looks in your hand.
They respond to whether it ever truly shows up down there.
Once you understand what actually makes a lure noticeable in different conditions, choosing the right one becomes simpler and far more effective, without carrying every color in the shop.
Do you change lure colors often, or stick with one and focus on finding fish instead?
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
The 2 core benefits we promise to Insider Club members is to be able to find and catch fish easier than ever before while saving money on fishing equipment.
So I am including links to the quickest ways to achieve each :
1) Finding Fish System
2) Insider Club’s Group Discounts
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I really appreciate all of the time that you spend to help us become better anglers. Thank you!
Good stuff as usual, Pat!
Awesome video, I would really like for yall to come out with a green pumpkin type of color with a darker flake in it, although I find the whites to very productive for both Snook and Bass any time of day
What about if the fish is feeding from below? Your study shows only straight on. A light color in bright daylight would not have as much contrast as a dark color in bright daylight. Or would would the shadow created (regardless of color) be more important than the color? I’d like to see a study along these lines as I fish at night often and wonder about color when topwater fishing. Just a thought – I love the info you provided however.
These types of studies are pretty cool. I would enjoy watching one on that. I was also thinking would clear water without the solids in it change the contrast and colors standing out. I liked the different angles against the boat and with a cloud over head. Also given the example of a dock. Gave me a whole new outlook on picking a color.
I’ll definitely do more of this. I’ve had a few requests for views from below. More to come! Thanks for the suggestions!
Pat, appreciate the info. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks. Useful knowledge and insight.
Glad you liked it!
Pat if Fishing a shady bank to a sunny flat doesn’t it make sense to use a multi colored lure, like a slam shady with the tailed dipped to chartreuse?
I think colors are more of a starting point and you make adjustments from there if you’re not getting the results you want. There might be some colors that you begin the day with but I think it’s best to keep an open mind to change and not get stuck on one because you feel that they should want one over another.
Thanks Pat, great visual representation.
Glad you liked it!
Very good information Pat and a little change up never hurt anything but as you have explained within this video there are some variations that should be definitely considered… Again thanks and Job Well Done Pat …….. !
Thanks Thomas!
The amount of light traveling through the water column also has a lot to do with it. Red and Orange tend to fade out below about 4 ft while blue and purple retain their color down to 10+ feet. Beyond that, colors look the same.
Light does have a lot to do with it since color is just a reflection of light waves bouncing back. I think with inshore fishing most of the time we are fishing in shallow water so color does come more into play.
Appreciate you watching and leaving the feedback!