Bass Ses These Colors
Most beginners will wonder what lure color is the most productive in catching bass. If you ask a veteran angler, they would likely recommend green baits to you. But to make sure that you are buying the right thing, start by learning which color is the most visible for bass.
What colors does bass see? According to Illinois and New York universities, largemouth bass can only see green and red colors. Their eyes have two different cone cells that are sensitive to green and respond to red.
Learning what particular colors are visible for bass will allow you to determine the best lure color to use when fishing.
It will surprise you that most lures sold in the market are more attractive to anglers’ eyes than the fish they are trying to catch. Fish, including bass, can only see a limited range of colors, unlike humans.
Bass Can See Two Colors
The eyes of bass can also distinguish colors, but not as many as humans can see. The vision of these fish is strongest in colors such as medium red to green.
On the other hand, it rapidly fails to recognize colors into blue, purple, and far-red hues. It only indicates that color is meaningful to bass in most cases.
If you wonder why lures come in different colors, it’s because fish, including bass, have their favorites. In the case of largemouth bass, it is red and green. It is why there is no point in combining shades of blue to the back of crankbait lures.
The only reason manufacturers design their lures with a splash of mid-range colors that bass discrimination the most along with colors they recognize is so bass won’t generalize their experience with the same bait color.
For example, bass subjected to heavy pressure on dark purple lures might avoid all dark purple lures.
On the other hand, a bass that sees a pumpkinseed worm with a splash of red has a higher possibility to bite on the bait because it will think that it is safe to attack.
Some colors also act as visual signals to the bass. One theory suggests that some color patterns can excite bass.
For example, placing a splash of red on a crankbait’s throat indicates blood, which the bass will perceive as a wounded, easy meal.
Meanwhile, it is also possible that the red color in a lure can indicate a red flag for bass. It might instinctively drive bass crazy, but, as of this writing, there is no science proving this theory yet.
Conclusion
To conclude, color is the most crucial factor when choosing a lure, and bass can only distinguish between medium red to green. Given this fact, there is no point in using baits far from these two colors.
But, you don’t have to forget your favorite lures with the combination of blue or purple colors because these lures can also be effective baits in some cases.
