What color crankbait do you throw when you don't know what the most common forage is for a body of water? I realize the importance of matching the hatch, but sometimes you don't know what the bass are feeding on.

I tend to throw something with bright colors in water with little visibility and more natural colors in clear water. But that philosophy is based on my color selection for spinnerbaits. Does that apply to crankbaits as well?  

Thats what KVD says

i can usually figure out quickly what forage the fish primarily feed on. i dont really care so much about the lakes main forage but more the area im fishing's food chain. a good all around color is chartreuse with a blue back though if your just starting out.

What color crankbait do you throw when you don't know what the most common forage is for a body of water? I realize the importance of matching the hatch, but sometimes you don't know what the bass are feeding on.

I tend to throw something with bright colors in water with little visibility and more natural colors in clear water. But that philosophy is based on my color selection for spinnerbaits. Does that apply to crankbaits as well?

You've got it figured pretty good.

You nailed the answer to your own question.  The only exception to this is a red crawfish color in the spring in any water clarity is awesome!

what type body of water are you fishing??

You have a good ideal on what to do. If I am fishing and dont know about the forage then I start out with white or a silver/blk back. I also throw a bluegill pattern up closer to the bank. The deeper you fish, the brighter the baits.

For me it depends on water clarity and what type of body of water? In a river I would start with a craw pattern but lakes a whitish shad pattern works. I find that you only really need 3 colors for cranks 90% of the time. Crayfish, shad and firetiger patterns cover just about all situations for me.

Allen

For me it depends on water clarity and what type of body of water? In a river I would start with a craw pattern but lakes a whitish shad pattern works. I find that you only really need 3 colors for cranks 90% of the time. Crayfish, shad and firetiger patterns cover just about all situations for me.

Allen

Same here !

Like most have already alluded to, clear water go with more natural color combinations. For stained water I go for bright loud colors. Chartreuse and orange work the best for me.

Although I am not convinced that color is that important, it is sometimes! Right now the two color combinations that seem to be working best, at least for Rat-L-Trap type lures, are red or chrome & blue.

8-)