https://academic.oup.com/cz/article/65/1/43/4924236

Found this scientific study on the color vision of largemouths a while ago. In short, red and green are easiest for bass to distinguish. Black seems to be distinguishable from blue, but not significantly. Chartreuse appears to look no different than white. What do y'all think? I have definitely cut down my color selection after finding this.

I cut down on my color selection about 2 years ago.  I used to have all these colors and I almost never threw them, and when I did I didn't get bit.  Now I stick to a few basics, junebug, watermelon red, black/blue for worms/creatures.  For swim baits I have junebug and Chartreuse. 

 

It is interesting what they say about white and Chartreuse looking the same was white. In my experience,  I catch way more bass on Chartreuse swim baits than I do on white, I noticed such a difference that I don't even buy white swim baits anymore.

3 minutes ago, Troy85 said:

Chartreuse looking the same was white

I just went back and read it again. They said chartreuse appears similar to white. So there is a difference but it is not scientifically significant. That might explain why.

Hmm...

 

Use your favorite colors and some variety. They all work.

 

Short answer, yes.  Throw what you like, see what you catch, and refine from there.  You could probably get by on baits in just 3 colors, but that's not any fun.

That is good info. I cut down to colors I know work in my area. Also, bass don’t need to see the bait to strike so that kind of gives lure makers license to make lures in colors that attract anglers. Talk about being taken hook, line and sinker, lol. We’re all guilty too. ??

3 hours ago, Grim_Reaver said:

https://academic.oup.com/cz/article/65/1/43/4924236

Found this scientific study on the color vision of largemouths a while ago. In short, red and green are easiest for bass to distinguish. Black seems to be distinguishable from blue, but not significantly. Chartreuse appears to look no different than white. What do y'all think? I have definitely cut down my color selection after finding this.

Do remember the studies that prompted red line and hooks based on the finding bass can't see red?

Never read a bass vision study using wild adult bass in their environment or any evidence that clearly proves what bass can actually see. I know from experience bass have color prefences is very low light and in very deep water that I need a light to determine.

Tom

How does a bass's brain interprets light waves ? Who knows . I have bought lots of lures based on how I like the color pattern . Yellows and chartreuse based patterns have been real effective, thats all I know .

 

I owe just about everything I own to my name to this concept of catching the fisherman. 

Answer is yes.  

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

 

Ha... I posted this thread (above) a few days ago. Now it's filled with comments from people who swear that their pink or orange and brown lures catch the most fish so lure color is in the eye of the bass beholder.

 

On this thread lots of people seem to have a different take on it... Maybe it was the way I presented it. Funny though how maybe different times of the day or when something was posted can garner different reactions.

 

Either way, I think the audience reaction to a post is just as interesting as the bass reaction to a lure!

I go directly to the source on every catch. Til this day not one of them have given up any information on this matter. Very tight lipped group they are..I will however continue my interrogations. I may try waterboarding.

I asked a fish once if he thought my crank bait looked like a Perch since it was called "perch", but I got no reply.

1 hour ago, DanielG said:

Ha... I posted this thread (above) a few days ago. Now it's filled with comments from people who swear that their pink or orange and brown lures catch the most fish so lure color is in the eye of the bass beholder.

 

On this thread lots of people seem to have a different take on it... Maybe it was the way I presented it. Funny though how maybe different times of the day or when something was posted can garner different reactions.

 

Either way, I think the audience reaction to a post is just as interesting as the bass reaction to a lure!

I knew i wasnt experiencing deja Vu

Color comes up often.  I'll say this, if color is the major determining factor over location, retrieve, and depth, I'm having a tough day.

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Color comes up often.  I'll say this, if color is the major determining factor over location, retrieve, and depth, I'm having a tough day.

I prioritize this over color - but 90% of the crank/jerk baits I have are 'natural'...ones that approximate the forage available in the waters I fish.

I typically use the basic colors: greens, browns, blacks, blues, whites, reds. Crazy colors and a plethora of choices is primarily to get into your wallet.

Red, yellow, blue then mix them for whatever color you need.

If color doesn't matter use black and white and mix them for shades of gray.

If you are in the lure business and offer only shades of gray you will catch few fisherman.

Location, timing are both important factors. You also need the right lure at the right time and place. If all you have are gray lures the other important factors may be meaningless.

Color matters when it matters.

Tom

Favorite colors give the angler confidence. They can all work, depending on the day

Yes, hooks that match my tie dye t-shirts!

There was a time I had a difficulty deciding what color crankbait to throw LOL 

   I've always believed that up high in the water column, color and pattern make a difference. Down deep, I've always prioritized contrast and water displacement, especially in muddy water.

   I just hope the bass agree!   ?    jj

Absolutely!!  I'm living proof.

I almost solely buy 2 colors, dark and light. 

 

Except when I buy topwaters, I like dark, bone, and clear. I almost always throw the clear. 

 

I will say when I'm throwing clear topwater my boat partner is throwing dark and we always seem to catch the same amount of fish. 

They catch me regularly, every week or two.  99% of my lures have never been wet and I doubt I'll ever do any better to get below 90%. That said, I do buy lures without any thoughts of ever using them, just because the color, style, model  or brand makes me bite. It's a d**n addiction!