The colour of a greenhouse plays a major role among the many factors to consider when fishing for predators. Let's take a look at the table of lure colours and the subtleties of each to help you make your selection according to fishing conditions.
Our article in brief
The choice of lure colour is a key element in predator fishing. Here are the key points to remember:
- The environment Water clarity, luminosity and depth dictate the choice of colours.
- Adapt to conditions The effective colour may vary from one day to the next.
- The teacher: The depth table can be used as a guide to selecting the right colours.
- Adapt your strategies Start discreetly, assess visibility and vary colours if necessary.
| Depth | Visible colours | Muted colours |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 1 m | All colours | No |
| 1 - 5 m | Blue, green, yellow, orange | Red |
| 5 - 20 m | Blue, green | Red, orange |
| 20 - 30 m | Blue, green | Red, orange, purple |
| +40 m | Blue, green | All the others |
The importance of colour when choosing lures
The colour of the lures is a criterion that should never be overlooked either on or off the water. Your objective will be to find the perfect balance between visibility and discretion. to provoke an attack without arousing the suspicion of predators.
To make the right choice, it's essential to take a close look at your surroundings:
- The clarity of water
- Ambient light
- Fishing depth
- Naturally occurring prey
These factors directly influence the perception of colours underwater. For example, in clear water, natural, discreet colours are generally more effective. The other way round, in troubled waters, opt for bright, flashy colours such as white, yellow, orange or pink.
Note that effective colour can vary from day to day. That's why we recommend you be flexible and ready to adapt your approach. During our bass fishing sessions, we have often found that this fish, thanks to the cones in its eyes, has excellent colour perception, which makes the choice of lure all the more crucial.
Table of colours according to depth and conditions
Understanding how colours behave underwater is fundamental to any self-respecting lure angler. Based on our experience, we've put together a summary colour chart to help you make the right choice according to depth:
| Depth | Visible colours | Muted colours |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1m | All colours | No |
| 1-5m | Blue, green, yellow, orange | Red |
| 5-20m | Blue, green | Red, orange |
| 20-30m | Blue, green | Red, orange, purple |
| +40m | Blue, green | All the others |
This array of lure colours has saved the day on many occasions, particularly during our deep-water fishing sessions. The main thing to note is that blue and green remain visible at depths of over 40 metreswhile the red fades after the first metre.
But don't forget that colour perception also varies according to :
- Particles suspended in the water
- The nature of the background
- Light intensity
For example, during our nocturnal cephalopod fishing expeditions, we noticed that pink or orange colours on a fluorescent base are particularly effective in low light. In daylight, however, natural and silver tones give the best results.
How to optimise your choice of lure colours
Based on our experience on various waters, we have developed a number of strategies to optimise the choice of lures:
- Start with discretion : In a new sector, always start with discreet rather than flashy colours. This will avoid scaring off even the most wary fish.
- Evaluate visibility Observe the clarity of the water and the ambient light. These factors will determine the visibility of your lure.
- Adapt to local prey: Once again, look at your surroundings and try to find a lure that is close to your prey.
- Vary the colours Don't hesitate to change colour if you're not getting results. Sometimes a simple change of colour can make all the difference.
Finally, remember that you don't need dozens of different colours. A thoughtful selection of a few key colours is usually enough to cover most situations. This minimalist approach has often allowed us to lighten our gear on fishing trips, without compromising our chances of success.
Here is a table to help you select the colour of your lure depending on the brightness and clarity of the water
| Conditions | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Low light levels (evening rush, fog, rain) | Orange, white, chartreuse, black. |
| Bright light (sunny, clear water) | Blue, green, brown transparent glitter. |
| Filled or turbid water | Flashy colours (chartreuse, Fire Tiger, white). |
| Clear water | Natural colours and realistic imitations (roach, perch, brilliant blue). |
Refine your colours according to the type of lure and species
Here is a table of lure colours to keep in mind that we apply a good deal of the time in our fishing depending on the type of lure
| Type of lure | Ideal colours |
|---|---|
| Surface lures | Natural or transparent colours (Ayu, white, blue). |
| Jerkbaits | High-contrast natural colours (parrot, orange belly, Fire Tiger). |
| Swimbaits | Realistic colours (roach, perch, pike) or aggressive colours for fast fishing (chartreuse), Fire Tiger). |
| Soft lures | Adaptable to all colours; flashy in depth, natural on the surface |
| Metal lures | FT skirts, chartreuse, or contrasting combinations (black head and red body, etc.). |
Finally, even if there is no universal rule, here is a summary of lure colour tables that you can also keep in mind at the water's edge and for each of their uses. Even if it's not exhaustive, it may be of help to some:
| Colour | Preferred use |
|---|---|
| Orange | Evening shot, low light, clear water. |
| Yellow / Chartreuse | Flashy, charged water, acts on aggression. |
| Blue / Green | Clear, sunny waters, medium to deep. |
| White | Fog, rain, low light, turbid water. |
| Black | Sunny weather, deep water (big fish). |
| Fire Tiger | Universal, large pike, all conditions except ultra-limid; works well at the beginning and end of the season. |
These colour charts summarise the main points of the article and can be used as a guide to prepare a box of lures optimised for the conditions and the fish you are targeting.
Our conclusions
Lure fishing is first and foremost an adventure, where each session allows you to progress and gain experience. Take the time to observe, to test, to make mistakes sometimes, but above all to learn. Why not keep a little fishing log? Make a note of your discoveries: the weather conditions, the lures tested, the colours that made the difference... Over time, you'll accumulate data that can make all the difference once you're out on the water.
Remember: choosing the colour of a lure is as much about logic as it is about instinct. And that's what makes fishing so fascinating! By applying a few basic principles from the lure colour charts we've shared with you, but above all by observing your environment and adjusting accordingly, you'll be in a better position to progress and refine your technique. So don't be afraid to think outside the box! Dare to use unlikely colours. Sometimes it's the colours that make the difference. After all, the magic of fishing is also the simple pleasure of letting yourself be surprised.
