I have a pretty clear pond with A LOT of bream and shad, i figured i would get crankbaits to look like them. Am i going about this the right way?

For me anyway, the most realistic looking cranks haven't really done as well as baits that offer the right shades and hues in a less lifelike pattern. Same thing with profile, I'd only throw minnow baits or flat sided cranks if I wanted to match the hatch, but there are alot of times when the traditional rounder styles work well even though I've never seen bait in the shapes most manufacturers offer. So, IMO, go for the depth and action, and then get some natural looking colors, but don't get too hung up on it looking just like the prey.

I've traditionally stayed in the so-called "safe zone" or "optimal conditions zone" when it comes to colors/conditions as to when to use certain lures on a given day, until this year. Back in the late 90's/early 2000's bright colors - caution orange, bubble gum, flourescent pink come to mind - were used by tourney fishermen with great results. Well I tried them out on my clear waters this year and they work very well.

What's all this mean? Use whatever color you think is best and work/present the bait the best way you know how.

I've traditionally stayed in the so-called "safe zone" or "optimal conditions zone" when it comes to colors/conditions as to when to use certain lures on a given day, until this year. Back in the late 90's/early 2000's bright colors - caution orange, bubble gum, flourescent pink come to mind - were used by tourney fishermen with great results. Well I tried them out on my clear waters this year and they work very well.

What's all this mean? Use whatever color you think is best and work/present bait the best way you know how.

If I can find any that aren't crappie sized I may try some, I can guarantee the fish around me haven't seen anything like that in awhile. For whatever reason, I can do OK with about anything as long as it isn't primarily bright chartreuse.

If I can find any that aren't crappie sized I may try some, I can guarantee the fish around me haven't seen anything like that in awhile. For whatever reason, I can do OK with about anything as long as it isn't primarily bright chartreuse.

Throw some caution orange in with your bright chartreuse and let us know how you do. LOL

Throw some caution orange in with your bright chartreuse and let us know how you do. LOL

Well now that sounds like a hammerhandle magnet

in clear water I always had really good luck with chrome or something else really flashy. I used to have a Manns baby 1 minus in chrome like the chrome off an old Cadillac that thing seriously caught me fish every cast then a northern pike came and broke my heart. Also try clear cranks I had alot of luck last season with a rapala in the clear craw color idk what exactly the color is or model I don't get wrapped up in it to much its a rapala and its clear with like "ghost" craw pattern on it.

I know i catch fish in my.pond with any soft plastic watermelon color, so i think a natural color would work