How To Match The RIGHT Lure Color To A Fishing Scenario

How do you know what lure color to use?

What factors should you take into account when selecting the color of your lure presentation?

Learn the answers in the video right here!!

Match The RIGHT Lure Color To A Fishing Scenario [VIDEO]

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➡Click here to check out Slam Shady 2.0 Paddletails

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Time Of The Day

The time of the day has a major influence on your lure color presentation.

What you choose to throw can change from dawn, to midday, mid-afternoon, and into dusk.

Also, take into account any overcast conditions or if you are fishing on a bright, sunny day.

A really great rule of thumb is, generally the darker it is outside, the darker your lure presentation should be.

That can be during dawn, dusk, or on heavy overcast days.

For these scenarios, the go-to lure color is our Gold Digger Paddletail lure.

The black base color and gold flakes sprinkled in the lure create a perfect blend of color to trigger strikes in low-light fishing situations.

Believe it or not, a darker color lure will help your presentation stand out in low-light conditions.

Water Clarity

Water clarity varies on a few different factors associated with the tides and wind patterns.

Typically, on the lower ends of the tide, the water is a bit muddier and churned up.

Similarly, grass and debris get picked up and moved out with outgoing tides.

In these scenarios, having a darker lure like the Gold Digger will help your presentation stand out.

Once the water does turn over and cleaner water moves into the area, that is when you want to turn to lighter colored lures.

The F.R.E.D. (Fooling Redfish Every Day) Paddletail is a light pink lure with a slight flash from silver flecks.

F.R.E.D. looks extremely natural in clear water and is a perfect choice for in-between tide stages when the water is turning over.

Depth/Color Of The Bottom

As you go deeper into the water, less light is able to reach the bottom.

Going back to the concept mentioned above, deeper water calls for darker lure presentations.

If the water is a bit shallow and sandy on the bottom, there is simply nothing better than the Slam Shady 2.0

The Slam Shady 2.0 looks extremely natural on the shallow flats and is a perfect lure choice for most any fishing scenario but especially in shallow water on sandy flats.

➡Click here to check out Slam Shady 2.0 Paddletails

➡Check out Gold Digger Paddletails HERE

➡Click here to check out F.R.E.D. Paddletails

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Tim Groner
1 year ago

Good explanation and video. So where does chartreuse fit in and why? Sorry it’s one of my “Old Reliable” colors.

Philip Wimberly
1 year ago
Reply to  Tim Groner

Great question, Tim! I agree…all things being equal (meaning, I have no idea what to do)…always start with a chartreuse tail. I assume it’s nothing more than the simplest explanation — a tiny oddity in the water that grabs attention, but as someone who has wasted thousands of dollars on “oddities to grab attention”, it’s always chartreuse that does it. Hope someone has some science on this!

David Hettenhouser
1 year ago

Great tips Richard, I will keep all in mind while out fishing.

Thomas Hall
1 year ago

Great video Richard. Simple tips, but critical for a successful days fishing. Our water in the Marco Island area, especially in the bays and tidal creeks, are typically tea colored with muddy bottoms. The closer one gets to the inlets at the Gulf the water becomes clearer with sandy bottoms. As a kayak fisher, the majority of my fishing occurs on the bays, flats and tidal creeks… looks like I will be using the Gold Digger heavily and the FRED on incoming tides.

Salt Strong! Thomas

Terry McLaughlin
1 year ago

Great info Richard. Will keep this info in mind for future reference. Thanks for your tips , I always seem to get something from them. Keep them coming

Philip Stoddard
1 year ago

In low light, fish don’t see color, but do see contrast. At night, in muddy water, or down deep where light penetration is limited, any lure passing overhead contrasts with the sky above, so color won’t matter. In shallow water, however, the lure will be seen from the side. That’s where color should matter most. Fussy fish favor lures that look like they are trying to blend in, with a little flash to give them away.

Raymond LeMieux
1 year ago

First and foremost, great info! While I seem to naturally select lures based on water clarity, I dont calculate or consider the other 2 factors.
Constructive criticism:
Watch your transitional phases during your presentation. As a retired training manager and curriculum development specialist, I can tell you that repeatedly using the same transitions kills your presentation.

Overall, great job! A 4 out of 5. Clear and consistent presentation, Keep them coming!

Last edited 1 year ago by Raymond LeMieux
Philip Wimberly
1 year ago

I’ve tried to ask this question a lot of times over the years. Not sure if I’m asking the question wrong or misunderstanding the answer. The nutshell of the question is, “Why?”
For years, I’ve followed the rule of using dark color in dark water. I follow it religiously now, because years ago, it seemed so counter-intuitive that I tried to prove it wrong…but, of course, proved it dead on correct with every species.
But I’ve never heard anyone explain why, I’ve never seen any video that demonstrates the concept and I can’t see it with my own “non-fish” eyes.
Why is it easier to see something dark, when the conditions are dark? Why is it easier to see something light against a light background?
…and then on the “background” issue, why isn’t this the determinant? It seems way more intuitive to think that the color matters a lot more depending on whether I’m anticipating a strike from below or above? (Light with a jig head I’m bouncing on the bottom to contrast with the bottom — dark with a swim bait contrasting with light from above.)
Again – not looking for anyone to defend this position. I’ve already seen the truth and believe it. I just don’t understand why!

Bill Brown
1 year ago

Good tips Richard! Would you agree that the amount of light really only impacts the decision in clearer waters? Bright light conditions in murky water would seem to still warrant the Gold Digger. If a little some light penetrates it will catch the gold specs.

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