I have pretty much heard it all from dark colors in murky water to bright colors in clear water and the other way around. I have tested both methods and its funny, I used a red/shad worm yesterday in murky water and caught fish. Is there a rule of thumb for this or is it just the fishmans choice?? Tell me what you think or used in these situations. I would like to have a better idea in what to use and when.

Murky/Dark: Darker colors. ie: Junebug.

Clear/Light: Natural colors. ie: Pumkinseed.

I stick to 5-6 soft plastic colors. And that is ALL I fish.

-Green Pumkin

-Pumkinseed

-Watermelonseed

-Junebug

-Tequila Sunrise

-Red Shad

-Pink

Thoose colors cover jsut about any situation you'll face, plus it makes it SIMPLE!!!

Hope that helped.

-Ike

Natural

Sunny out I usually go with a red speedo.

Cloudy go with black speedo.

Seriously though, all the reading I done lately has me confused a little too for the same reason.

Here's a couple of articles on color. They mostly talk about crankbaits but they could be some help to you.

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/color_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/Choosing_Colors_selection.html

In fishing there are no rules.

But most go with dark colors in murky or muddy water, or cloudy days. And lighter colors in clear water, or when it is sunny. Natural always works though, if the conditions allow it.

There are some general guidelines, but I don't know if they're based on valid test data or our opinions of what things ought to work when. The bass don't know these rules and hit a wide range of colors in various water clarities.

The number one thing that everyone should do is to make a log.I've been doing this for the past 6 years and wish I had done it long before that.Because looking back at my logs for the conditions given on a  perticular day I know what to throw,where and how I'm going to fish that bait.As far as colors try diffent colors in your area under diff conditions and write it down,what works and what doesn't .Look for a good base for your log seen many on the net maybe even one is available here.Looking back at your log not only will it help you ,but it really helps with the memories whether it be good days and not so good days....Good luck.

Most of the time color does not matter. I stick with 4 colors.

Junebug

Green Pumpkin

Watermelon

White

Darker colors for darker waters. (Junebug, Green Pumpkin)

Lighter, more natural colors for clearer waters. (Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, White)

Green Pumpkin is a great all around color that can be used for all situations. White works well in darker water. Confusing, right?

I stick with the darker colors. Green Pumpkin is my favorite although color does not really play that big of a factor. Think about all of the different colors from a marketing/business standpoint. Read the above links for an in depth reasoning behind color choices. Good luck!

WTRDOG, thats a good point.  In Rolland Martins book all he talks about are patterns and he has kept a journal that goes back to the 70's.  I am sure there are a few guys on here that have some of the same amount of data.

Is there no scientifical / statistical data on colors and patterns??  I am sure there are studies some where by some biologist. (i am searching)

Fishingislife,  If you do a search on some of the popular lures BR has  tons of opinions I have read (that include color). But you know what they say about those.... :

Should this be in the lure section???  :-/

All those pattern fisherman will have plenty of input!  

the rule of thumb I try and use is: if you can see the outline of your bait in the water condition you're fishing - switch it. granted, sometimes this can't be avoided, but in those cases use a natural color.

using phrases like "x for stained or muddy water" don't work, because everyone's definition is subjective. watch a video of kevin van dam for a good example of this - to him, stained water is something like 4" of visibility. joe blow down the street thinks stained water is a green-tinted water throughout and he can't see anything in the water. the list goes on and on.

You know, sometimes it good not to follow the rules.  Example:  I fish a 25 acre public pond near my home.  This pond has heavy fishing pressure (from the bank mostly) with a lot of soft plastics and crank baits thrown.  I make a habit of looking in the trash cans located around the pond to see what other folks are throwing (used plastics and brand new lure packaging).  Usually there are alot of dark and natural colors being used.   I  try to throw something bright and as un-natural looking as possible.  I don't catch a ton of fish but I usually reel in five to ten every time I go.  I think that the fish get conditioned to seeing the same natural colors all  the time and they feed on something that looks a little different. Sometimes it pays to "go against the grain"!

What is the right color??

The one that catches the bass or the one that catches the angler  

As with all things related to fishing this brings out the beast in the true believers.

No doubt about it, some colors work better than others.  No doubt about it, lure manufacturers create colors to catch anglers.

I find that the dark water - dark colors and clear water - natural colors rule of thumb is pretty good, but there are some colors that seem to go well with certain lures in a variety of conditions.   For example the watermelon/blk senko is used everywhere I have fished with good results.  Then again the loud colors like merthiolate or bubble gum work very well on trick worms.  

I think the best color is confidence.