I have started to get more confidence in crainkbaits especially deep diving. The one thing i am struggling with now that i am building on my collection is what colors to purchase and what ones to pass on. I have recently purchased DT 14's (chartreuse/brown back, lime shad), and Norman deep little N's (chartreuse/purple, and splattered trout (seen below)). I purchased these colors because i have learned that anything 10+ ft you should be using brighter colors. I guess my first question is how many varieties of these brighter colors do i REALLY need? Does a subtle difference in a crainkbait prevent a fish from biting?

Another question i have is when, if any time, should i go away from the brighter colors in deeper water? And what colors do you recommend?

I guess this is an open discussion the few questions i posed are just a few i have yet to conquer.....or maybe im just over thinking things.

Anyway thanks,

VC

The bait monkey wants you to buy every different color in the  world but in reality white  , black , chartreuse , purple shades are all you need.

The bait monkey wants you to buy every different color in the world but in reality white , black , chartreuse , purple shades are all you need.

In what situations would you use white and black?

The bait monkey wants you to buy every different color in the world but in reality white , black , chartreuse , purple shades are all you need.

In what situations would you use white and black?

White.....clear to light stained.

Black.....night or darker stained water.

I've caught more bass on a white crank then any other color.

The colors that dominate my crankbaits are shad, bluegill, and crawdad. With firetiger and baby bass thrown in for good measure.

Tom

The bait monkey wants you to buy every different color in the world but in reality white , black , chartreuse , purple shades are all you need.

In what situations would you use white and black?

White.....clear to light stained.

Black.....night or darker stained water.

I've caught more bass on a white crank then any other color.

All white?

The bait monkey wants you to buy every different color in the world but in reality white , black , chartreuse , purple shades are all you need.

In what situations would you use white and black?

White.....clear to light stained.

Black.....night or darker stained water.

I've caught more bass on a white crank then any other color.

All white?

Strike king ghost , a white bait with one small black dot on each side.

I prefer a black back with silver sides.

    -gk

I really like rootbeer, it's been one of my favorite colors since I started with crankbaits.  I also fish shad colors, Normans redear, rapalas bluegill and bass, and chartreuse blue and black backs.

I really like rootbeer, it's been one of my favorite colors since I started with crankbaits. I also fish shad colors, Normans redear, rapalas bluegill and bass, and chartreuse blue and black backs.

The thing i am wondering is whether i should invest in shad colors if our only hatch is bluegill, perch, etc.

I go with the white and use it in well stained as well as clear water. While black is a good night color, I've caught more fish over 5 lbs on a chrome U-20 flatfish at night than any other bait or color.

I'm a big fan of brown cranks. My most productive crankbait has been a Cotton Cordell in brown craw. I use it with success in both clear water and stained water.

More natural colors in gin clear and more loud for stained/muddy. With that being said, I've caught a lot of bass on red crankbaits in gin clear water. If a bass has never seen a gold fish and you let it swim past his nose, the bass is going to inhale it. Presentation is probably the most important aspect of catching bass on your crankbait.

I only fish about four colors. Sexy shad, Chartreuse with a blue back, spring craw and red and black.

I look for natural colors.  Perch, shad, trout.  I don't know if they are better but they catch my eye in the store.

I really like rootbeer, it's been one of my favorite colors since I started with crankbaits. I also fish shad colors, Normans redear, rapalas bluegill and bass, and chartreuse blue and black backs.

The thing i am wondering is whether i should invest in shad colors if our only hatch is bluegill, perch, etc.

Vinny , I think you are really hung up on the color thing. The thing about bass fishing is to find out where they are located , once you find them , you'll catch them if you use the right technique.

The color thing is a very small part of the equation. JMHO

I wouldn't worry too much about colors...does this look like anything swimming around in your water? 

Any color as long as it's sexy shad

I don't really get hung up on color. I have two shades of cranks - lights and darks. As far as the actual colors go, they could be anything. I use darks for stained and muddy water and lights in clear water. Honestly, I bet I catch more crank fish on odd colors than I do natural ones.

Any color as long as it's sexy shad

I don't really get hung up on color. I have two shades of cranks - lights and darks. As far as the actual colors go, they could be anything. I use darks for stained and muddy water and lights in clear water. Honestly, I bet I catch more crank fish on odd colors than I do natural ones.

Very well stated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!