I'm sure you get this question quite often on here, but can I get some guidance on the basics of lure selection and color based on time of year, time of day, water conditions, and any other factors that are important.  I remember seeing an "easy to read" chart somewhere a few years ago but cannot find it. 

 

I'm inpatient so I tend to use cast and reel lures such as spinnerbaits, crankbaits and occasionally topwater. I guess I would be willing to start using slow retrieve lures if I knew they are what was working.  I tend to fish central Pennsylvania rivers, specifically the Juniata.  I am looking into starting some lake fishing as well which I know nothing about.  Is lake fishing a completely different game?

 

I guess the easiest thing would be for somebody to provide some type of chart/visual that considers the above factors if there is one available.

 

I know the type of lure changes with the season, but does the color change with the season as well or is the color determined solely based on water clarity?

 

 

Color changes with water clarity and light conditions.  Darker conditions call for darker baits.  When I say darker it could mean low light or dirty water.  Black is your best friend in these conditions.  Black/red and Black/blue as well.  In clearer water you want more natural colors.  Greens, browns, reds and blues.

 

 

This is just a general guideline.  You can catch fish in darker water with natural colors baits and vice versa.  There is going to be that guy that catches them in super clear water on a hot pink worm...

Looks like we both grew up around the same area. Welcome to the forums. 

 

Lure color is primarily based on water color/clarity. However, size of the lure can change, depending on the forage that your target species is feeding on. Remember to always "match the hatch". 

Bass fishing lure chart- wired two fish

A chart would be very nice, but bass don't read the charts. They often take lures that conventional wisdom says they shouldn't. If you start with soft plastics, I'd start with some basic types, such as plastic worm, Senko-type, maybe a creature bait, and would get just a couple of proven colors, such as black, pumpkinseed and green pumpkin. I don't think it's necessary to match the hatch. Your lure needs to appeal to the fish's senses, not look exactly like something else.

 

I used to fish a lot in a part of the Erie Canal with a heavy green stain where visibility was less than 18" at its clearest. Conventional wisdom would call for a loud bait in black or loud colors with a wide wobble. One of my best lures was Shad Rap, a non-rattling, narrow wobbling lure in muted colors, such as crayfish.

 

I have no river experience so I can't say anything about the differences from lake fishing.

I used to be a crankbait, spinnerbait, topwater person and was really good with them, then I started tournament fishing this year. I knew soft plastics would come into play, but previously hated fishing with them because I didn't know how and always thought of them as slow and boring. After the first tournament, which was purely a pitching and flipping contest, I learned how well they worked. I have been using texas rigged Biffle bugs ever since that May tournament and have never had more fun or caught more fish than I have this year.

On 7/31/2014 at 5:44 AM, nrowles said:

I'm sure you get this question quite often on here, but can I get some guidance on the basics of lure selection and color based on time of year, time of day, water conditions, and any other factors that are important.  I remember seeing an "easy to read" chart somewhere a few years ago but cannot find it. 

 

I'm inpatient so I tend to use cast and reel lures such as spinnerbaits, crankbaits and occasionally topwater. I guess I would be willing to start using slow retrieve lures if I knew they are what was working.  I tend to fish central Pennsylvania rivers, specifically the Juniata.  I am looking into starting some lake fishing as well which I know nothing about.  Is lake fishing a completely different game?

 

I guess the easiest thing would be for somebody to provide some type of chart/visual that considers the above factors if there is one available.

 

I know the type of lure changes with the season, but does the color change with the season as well or is the color determined solely based on water clarity?

 

 

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

Black works everywhere all of the time as a general rule. Green pumpkin/watermelon colors work best in clear water. I don't think color plays as much of a factor as presentation and lure selection does.

There are times when color matters and when it seemingly doesnt

When you throw white and black  and get no bites and then throw green and start catching fish.. you cant say color isnt mattering