So natural colors work best for really clear water. But which colors are considered natural colors? I think of colors like greens, browns, and black. What else? I'm new to artificial lures, so I'm working out how to choose colors.

Like you said plus colors that immitate the baitfish whites grey and pearls

To understand bass forage you should take some time studing what they look like N's what are their natural colors. Prey colors vary seasonally and can change depending of the water clarity.

Find out what the lake or river has for bass prey, google each or set traps and catch the prey.

Tom

Natural colors could be colors that match the fishes surroundings.

Don't forget translucent colors in clear water. Sometimes you need a see through worm or fluke instead of a solid color. I really like the new disco green trick worms for this.

And then there's chartreuse!

Easiest way for me to duplicate a "Natural" color regardless of where I'm fishing is to chose a bait that matches the color of the bottom. Unless I'm fishing topwater or even mid-depth, then I may take the color of the sky into consideration. This is when silhouette and contrast come into play.

A-Jay

Like you said plus colors that immitate the baitfish whites grey and pearls

I think the same. whites, silvers, silver or gold flake, blue pearl, brown/gold pearl, smoke or grey

Don't forget translucent colors in clear water. Sometimes you need a see through worm or fluke instead of a solid color. I really like the new disco green trick worms for this.

Place where I fish my "natural" color is baitfish, it is a kinda clear grey with mulit color flake over a milky white. I have fished a blue pearl holo flake color with lesser sucess. I really like the translucent greys.

There are tons of brilliant, naturally occurring colors, but conventional wisdom calls muted browns, greens, and silver as "natural." I don't agree that those are always the right colors to throw in clear water, but you won't be wrong to.

Thanks for the answers, guys. I hadn't thought of clear, gold, and silver.

Thanks for the answers, guys. I hadn't thought of clear, gold, and silver.

Always something to learn here, eh?!

When I fish "natural", I normally don't include silver that much, other than as a sparkle inside a worm...

That's why I like watermelon magic, green pumpkin magic, and watermelon gold flake soft plastics. (I know you were talking hard plastics)...

But the answers got me thinking that I need to break out my pearl BPS Stik-Os for another try...

Always something to learn here, eh?!

When I fish "natural", I normally don't include silver that much, other than as a sparkle inside a worm...

That's why I like watermelon magic, green pumpkin magic, and watermelon gold flake soft plastics. (I know you were talking hard plastics)...

But the answers got me thinking that I need to break out my pearl BPS Stik-Os for another try...

You can never know too much!

You mentioned gold flakes. That adds contrast to the lure, right? How should I go about choosing flake color?

Gold flakes do add contrast. When I target baitfish like sunnies (and their ilk), I look at the colors in the fish and can see where bait makers get the idea of adding gold.

The gold, as I've watched worms sink, reflect golden light as they drop. It seems to me that this would mimic some of the flashiness of baitfish in the area (as would silver, pearl, etc). I have had a lot of success with Yamamoto Senkos #323 in 4" or 5". Also fish Zoom Finesse worms in same color. Seem to out-produce others.

This is what Gary Yamamoto uses as well (can't link to web site per site rules):

"Color 323 (Watermelon w/Black & Gold Flake) - Gary says this is a color he first made some years ago for Lake Mead, Nevada and he's held onto this 323 color as his own secret for a while now. Having several years of success under his belt with the 323, it is a confidence color for Gary."

Gold flakes do add contrast. When I target baitfish like sunnies (and their ilk), I look at the colors in the fish and can see where bait makers get the idea of adding gold.

The gold, as I've watched worms sink, reflect golden light as they drop. It seems to me that this would mimic some of the flashiness of baitfish in the area (as would silver, pearl, etc). I have had a lot of success with Yamamoto Senkos #323 in 4" or 5". Also fish Zoom Finesse worms in same color. Seem to out-produce others.

This is what Gary Yamamoto uses as well (can't link to web site per site rules):

"Color 323 (Watermelon w/Black & Gold Flake) - Gary says this is a color he first made some years ago for Lake Mead, Nevada and he's held onto this 323 color as his own secret for a while now. Having several years of success under his belt with the 323, it is a confidence color for Gary."

Thanks, Darren. I'm taking note of this in my little fishing journal.

Natural colors on cranks to me are black top, pearl/silver or pearl mid-section and white on the bottom with maybe some orange.

bream reaper

i had to notice the sunfish in your picture. sunfish are bass food too. if you are calling natural matching the forage base in your particular water, there is quite a diversity of colors, hues and sheens. another good example is a threadfin shad. when you move them in the sunlight, you will see purple, pearl, and green. try as we might to figure out colors, it still boils down to let the bass tell which one they prefer. putting your lure in front of a fish is still the most important thing.

bo