Is colour important?

The human senses are dominated by sight. Maybe that is why we believe that colours are so important in artificial baits. The important thing, however, is what the fish think of the bait we choose. Is colour important for them?

Anatomically the fish eye is very similar to that of higher vertebrates. They have the two different types of light sensor cells, rods and cones, that makes it possible to see changes in light intensity and colour vision possible. It has been shown in experiments that fish can discern between different colours, e.g. trout have been trained to swim to a certain colour to find food.

Sight is evolved to different degrees in different fish species. They have evolved in different environments, all with different demands on vision. It is not as important for a catfish living in deep coloured water to have splendid sight as it is for a trout that live in shallow gin-clear water.

Thus it is clear that fish can see colour, but it not that easy. It is of importance to remember that sight is possible through cooperation between the eyes and the brain… A fish brain is not advanced enough to actually analyse images. Fish react to colours through reflexes. Fish are also sensitive to differences in light intensities and objects that move through their field of vision. It is through the movement that the colour gets a meaning. One well known example is that a fisherman that stands still is invisible to fish, but as soon as he moves the fish sees him and moves off.

The clarity and depth of the water is also of importance for sight. It is the light that penetrates the water that gives an artificial bait its colour. At great depth and in coloured water the bait has no colour. Only bait painted in phosphorescent colours will be visible there. People who fish a lot with artificial baits know that coloured water equals lousy fishing. That is due to the visual stimuli is decreased.

Why are some colours better than others?

The different colours penetrate water to different depths. Some remain visible in low light conditions, when other are absorbed. The cold colours, such as blue, are visible in deep water. The opposite holds true for the warm colours . These colours disappear quickly at ascending depths.

The sport fishermen have come up with the following guidelines, after years of empirical tests (being out fishing, that is). In the winter, when pike are found in deep water, blue is the best colour. In warm water, when pike are found in shallow water, orange is the best colour.

If you study a predator attacking an artificial bait it is obviously only in the last phase of the attack that sight is of importance. In the beginning vibration and acoustic effects are much more important. That makes sense, as even in clear water, with a lot of light, sight will be restricted to a few metres. If the predator is very active and there are favourable conditions for sight the attack can be very precise. In these conditions colour is of minor importance. The shadows and reflections cast from the bait will be enough to stimulate the fish into taking the bait. Those days all colours will catch (though some will be more effective).

When there are low light conditions and when the predators are far less active the choice of colour is much more vital. Even if the fish is attracted to the reflections from the bait it is not enough to stimulate it into taking it. In these conditions fish will follow the bait, seemingly interested, without taking it. Colours choice can make the difference between a blank, and one or two fish in the net.

Choosing colour

The principle of using bait with colours similar to the natural baitfish in clear water, and contrast and bright colours in coloured water, hold true. There is, really, four basic bait colours – silver, gold, copper – black – yellow, green – fluorescent.

Silver is best in the morning, or when there is a cloud cover, when blue is the dominant light. It is also good in coloured water and when the predators are preoccupied with silver-coloured bait fish, such as roach and smelt.

Gold is the preferred colour in the opposite conditions. Bright sunshine, or when the light is dominated by red colours – like it is in the evenings. It is also good when the water is clear and when the bait-fish are red, such as perch or rudd.

Copper and black is better when the water is extremely clear and there is a lot of light.

The yellow, green, and fluorescent colours come into their own in great depth and in coloured water. These colours can be seen when no others are.

Different predators prefer different colours

Pike are likely to fall for contrast colours. Choose two main colours, red and yellow. Exaggerate their effect by combining them with another colours. For example combining yellow and a dull colour, such as black, dark blue, or greeen.

Lures in different contrasty colours

When Zander-fishing many either use lures that are either white, or white... White is a good choice for Zander, but there are other effective colours as well. Flourescent, or other very vibrant, colours are really good as they too are visible in the low light conditions that are liked by the Zander. Usually baits with only one colour gives you more bites than one with a lot of different ones.

Perch love all that shines. Silver, red and orange tend to be the best background colours. Lures that casts reflections, and thus makes the bait look more alive, can increase the number of bites.

Sight is important, but not the only sense...

Eye sight is important for many fish species, but it is only a part of a whole. The early warning system is their sensitivity to vibrations, when they get close to the prey sight completes their picture. The next time you fish with artificial baits - think twice about what colour you choose!