Fishing Lure Color Contrast Explained: Why Fish Strike Some Soft Plastic Colors and Ignore Others

Part 2

Understanding fishing lure color contrast helps explain why some soft plastic lures stand out instantly while others blend into the background and get ignored, especially in low-visibility conditions

Contrast is the ability of a bait to stand out from its background. It matters more than color name, brand, or flake pattern.

If a fish can’t separate your bait from its surroundings, it won’t strike.

High Contrast vs Low Contrast

High contrast makes a bait easier to detect.

Low contrast makes a bait appear more natural.

Neither is “better”—they work in different conditions.

When to Use High Contrast Colors

Best for:

• Muddy or stained water

• Low light conditions

• Deeper water

Examples:

• Black

• Junebug

• Solid dark laminates

These colors create strong silhouettes even when color detail disappears.

When to Use Low Contrast Colors

Best for:

• Clear water

• Bright sunlight

• Pressured fish

Examples:

• Smoke

• Watermelon

• Translucent green pumpkin

These reduce unnatural visibility and help prevent refusals.

Contrast determines how easily a fish can separate a lure from its background, making silhouette more important than exact color in low visibility.

What’s Next

In Part 3, we’ll explain why some colors fade underwater and why red doesn’t stay red for long.

Previous: Part 1: Color Theory for Soft Plastic Lures