I always tell people that lure color should be one of the last things you change when fish aren’t biting. Change size, shape, even presentation, before you change color. Since they are near-sighted, vision is close to the bottom of the list of senses that fish use when feeding. Moreover, the wavelength of certain colors andthe available light plays a large part in which colors fish see best. A little understanding of the senses fish use goes a long way.
The biggest factors in lure selection should be shape and the type of bait, if any, that you put on it. Fish use their lateral line system, which is made up of hair-like that detect changes in water pressure created by vibrations or displacement. Their lateral line system is so sensitive that fish can even determine the direction from which the vibration comes by how their lateral line hairs move. Fish can key in on an object’s movements from much greater distances than their vision can detect. There are several good lures on the market, such as the Duckbill Drop Jig by Clam Pro Tackle, that displace water and can be used to “call” fish from a distance. Lures like the Duckbill Drop will also show up well on a Vexilar because of its larger surface area.
Fish also have a sensitive olfactory system, which they use to detect odors in the water. Olfactory detection of food is limited by current direction: If a fish is up-current from its prey then the odors will be pulled away from the predator. However, if the current is in the fish’s favor, then it can detect odors from much greater distances than its lateral line system can detect vibrations. Only after a fish has zeroed in on its meal using its lateral line or olfactory system will it rely on its vision. So, unless there are fish directly under or around you, you don’t need to worry much about what color lure you are using. Continue Reading …..