Color Theory for Soft Plastic Lures (Weekly Series)

This weekly series breaks down soft plastic lure color from beginner basics to advanced fish vision science. Each post builds on the last, so start at Part 1 and follow along weekly.

Part One

Color Theory for Soft Plastic Lures: The Simple Rules That Catch More Fish

Choosing the right soft plastic color doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, most successful color choices follow a few simple rules that work across species, regions, and water conditions.

Before getting into science, wavelengths, or fish vision, it’s important to start with the fundamentals that anyone can apply.

The One Rule That Solves Most Color Problems

Clear water = natural colors

Dirty water = dark, high-contrast colors

That single rule explains why some colors work everywhere—and why others fail as conditions change.

Clear water allows fish to see details. Dirty water limits visibility, forcing fish to rely on silhouettes and movement.

Why Overthinking Color Hurts Results

Many anglers switch colors too often or chase new releases instead of reading the water.

Fish don’t care what a color is called. They care whether they can:

• See it

• Detect movement

• Identify it as food

If a fish can’t see your bait, the color doesn’t matter.

Simple Color Starting Points

Clear Water

• Green pumpkin (translucent)

• Watermelon

• Smoke

Stained or Muddy Water

• Black

• Junebug

• Black/blue

These aren’t “magic” colors—they’re visibility solutions.

High-contrast colors create strong silhouettes that fish can detect quickly in low visibility, while low-contrast colors blend naturally in clear water and bright conditions.

What’s Next

In Part 2, we’ll explain contrast—the single most important factor in soft plastic color selection—and why it matters more than exact color.

Next: Part 2: Fishing Lure Color Contrast Explained