Plastic colours

[Aussie_fisher]

I have been hearing that darker colours are better in murky water while lighter colours (like white) are better in clear water. Now I’ve never really tested this as I just switch between my plastic colours based on my mood that day 😂 I’m wondering how much the colour matters based on the water clarity. From my observation white stands out much more to me in darker water but I’m guessing the fish might be seeing it differently?

[noelm]

I have found (in estuaries this is) that a dull Prawn/brown-ish colour works best, but, that’s maybe because that’s what I use the most? An old adage that is still true, most lures are made to catch fishermen………

[Little_Flatty]

The best colour for me is what is in the bargain bin at the shops, provided that they are a proven pattern.

I don’t doubt that colour sometimes makes a difference, but I think most experienced anglers would probably agree that size, action and lure profile matter more.

[Steve0]

Scientists have dissected fish eyes and found some perceived different light spectrums to people. Some species are able to make out ultraviolet. Presumably they gain some Darwinian advantage from it, but is it related to eating or breeding? Fish brains are tiny in comparison to ours.  Are they thinking, "I can make out that's a bloodworm jerkshad lure, not a fish, so I'll stay away" or are they thinking, "I can't see anything but can feel vibration, so I'll bite where it seems to be"?

One thing I can promise from a lot of observation is most of the year Salmon and Tailor don't care. If it's near enough, they'll chase and bite, whether a brand-new lure or one missing 80% of its paint. One exception that seems true, but I can't be sure of, is the possibility that after sunset, a dark lure might show a better silhouette.

We tend to listen to experience and favour what works for us. The more people who spread the theory of light lures in light water and dark lures in dark water, the more people follow the idea and the truer it becomes. One thing for sure, if it gives you confidence, it can't hurt.

Edited November 16 by Steve0
left out a word

[Flickking]

There are colours that appear more natural in different places/conditions but things like the size of lure, type of lure/profile and how your working it is much more important than colour 

[Jo5hC]

I like using clear colours like bloodworm in clear water and darker such as motor oil in murkier conditions because It’s supposed to makes a better silhouette to stand out but it’s definitely not a hard and fast rule and all reputable brands product test so if it’s a colour being sold, it will catch fish. Just my 2 cents.

[slothparade]

Color appeals more to people than fish. Fish that are willing to hit a lure are predators, they focus on movement rather than colour. It's rare they will stalk the lure wondering what color it is. They wait for it to come past and strike, no matter what color. I have a couple of dark color grubs and some white and clear paddle tails. In saying all of this, off the beach I've found the more you can match mullet or whiting color, the more hits you get. I've been finding around the mouths where's there's a lot of movement and clearer water, clear lures work well. While further up the system on the flats, darker lures. 

In saying all of this, dark lures off the beach, not even a hit. But mullet color, white, yellow, gets absolutely smashed. But throw a dark lure into a school of tailor and they scatter. 

Edited November 16 by slothparade

[JonD]

Pink works best for me or pink and white or just white. I had a heap of mixed colours which I put together and they all turned green, which worked very well on my last trip.

[Couta]

A few years ago I read a fishing magazine article about a flathead lure fishing contest held on the Gold Coast. It must have been in an estuary. At the end of the day the organisers asked each person who caught fish what colour lures they caught fish with. I can't remember all the colours listed but the winner was pink. Could be many reasons for that like a particular type of lure that flathead like only comes in that colour or many people just happened to use that colour. Take from that what you want. I have tended to favour pink lures (soft plastics) since then and I have caught plenty of fish on those but who knows if it really makes any difference.