I understand for the most part about selecting lure color but not entirely...

I read that its basically following the Rainbow pattern from deepest to shallow water.

Red is good at dusk/evening, while white is universal.

So for clear water whats the best 2-3 colors?

Dirty/ dark water best 2-3 colors?

When is the charteuse/greenish blue good to use?

I just stick to the basics:

If it's clear water I go with a natural color that mimics the forage (ie crayfish or perch in my parts).

If the water is dirty I go with a chartreuse or black color. So I may throw a chartreuse and blue crankbait and a black/blue jig.

Thats how I deal with colors.

I think the previous poster summarized the conventional wisdom on the subject. You probably can't go wrong by starting out using those guidelines. However, I've seen so many colors work well in so many water clarities that I wonder how much difference it makes. At a minimum, I think color is overrated as a factor in what to use.

You have the basic idea about color now. But remember some lakes or rivers will have their own "hot" color and you pretty much need to figure that out for your self. Don't be afraid to try something a little out of the norm, could be just what the bass want.

I basically throw the following colors, black and blue, green pumpkin, watermelon and white. I will throw variations of these colors but that is basically it. Don't try and over think it, that is the key. Just try and find what works for you and your confident in, confidence is a big key.

SJ

I use natural colors in clear water, and I use colors that a bass can see pretty easily in real stained or muddy water. Most of all, keep it simple.

First off, I start with chart/blue every time I am throwing cranks, no matter what the conditions are. I feel like it has the qualities of bluegill in danger in clearer water, as well as that brightness for dingier water.

Darker water again I like anything that will make it easier for the bass to spot and locate the bait. Some of my favorites include: White shad, black and red/blue, silver black back, chartreuse/blue, Firetiger, Hot Mustard.

Clearer water is when you want to go with more subtle/natural looking colors like: Perch, Bluegill, Shad, etc.

Marty also brings up a good point that conventional wisdom doesn't always work. Don't be afraid to switch things up if needed. Some colors work well on some bodies of water and don't on others.

Don't over complicate color selection, your head and wallet will be hurting

I think the previous poster summarized the conventional wisdom on the subject. You probably can't go wrong by starting out using those guidelines. However, I've seen so many colors work well in so many water clarities that I wonder how much difference it makes. At a minimum, I think color is overrated as a factor in what to use.

Couldn´t have said it better myself.

When it matters it really matters, and other days you could throw plaid.

I am a BIG crank bait guy. I have about 3 colors.

Sexy(or realistic color)

Chartruese (the SK powder blue/chartreuse is my favorite)

Red

white

I like to keep it simple when I can but last spring if I didn't have a bubble gum senko before the spawn I might as well have been home. It didn't work after the spawn but before it was at least 5-1 on producing.

I like to keep it simple when I can but last spring if I didn't have a bubble gum senko before the spawn I might as well have been home. It didn't work after the spawn but before it was at least 5-1 on producing.

Around here in stained to muddy water, i have good luck with firetiger in crank baits in about all brands of baits. I use big'o it has a tight wiggle and bandit 100's firetiger it has a wide wobble.

makes a difference here on these lakes