Selecting the correct color for you fishing lure is one of the necessary component of fishing for crappie fish. The color of the lure will determine whether the crappie see the lure and whether they eat the lure. Because the crappie dont see there environment in the same way as humans, crappie prefer high contrast color.
If the lure does not provide enough contrast with the environment, the crappie will not be able to see the lure. If the crappie cannot see the lure, the crappie will not eat the lure. Using a color chart can help crappie fisherman to select the appropriately color for their lure based off the environment.
How to Choose Lure Colors for Crappie Fishing
One of the environmental factor to consider is the clarity of the water. If the water is clear, crappie prefer subtle color like white or pearl colors because these colors mimics baitfish. Smoke purple colors are also used in clear water in low light condition.
However, if tannins or runoff from the land stains the water, bright colors is required. For example, chartreuse glow through stained water and red color contrast against the greenish water. Bright colors are required in stained water to allow the crappie to see the lure.
If the water is murky, then even more aggressives colors are required. Murky water require that fishermen use solid black, hot chartreuse, or bright orange colors. These colors is visible even in murky water because they contrast against the murky water.
A color chart can assist crappie fishermen in selecting these colors for murky water conditions. Another environmental factor to consider is the amount of light in the water. For instance, during dawn and dusk, the light is soft.
During these times, pink and pearl colors are most effective for crappie fish. During midday, when the sun is most intense, crappie fisherman use natural colors like shad patterns. During overcast days, chartreuse and orange color are used.
At dusk, when the shadows are longest, purple and black colors or chartreuse are utilize. The time of year also impact the color of the lure that is best for catching crappie. For example, in the spring, crappie are in shallow waters where they spawn.
Therefore, chartreuse and pink colored lures is effective during this time of year. In the summer, crappie are in deeper waters. During the summer, white and shad pattern lures are best.
During the fall, crappie are found near ledges in the water. Orange and red colored lures are effective during this season. During the winter month, crappie live in deep water and move slow throughout their habitat.
White and pink colored lures are used during the winter months. The type of lure that you use when fishing for crappie can also impact the color of the lure. For example, marabou jigs glow best when they are bright color like white and chartreuse because the marabou part of the jig will contrast against the water.
Tubes glow best in clear water with pearl blue color. Curly tail grubs work best when stained water with chartreuse colors. Crankbaits work best when these colors mimics baitfish such as shad because white and red colors are used.
Finally, the species of crappie that you are pursuing can have an impact upon the color of the lure. For instance, black crappie live in weedy lakes with clear water. In this case, bright colors such as black and chartreuse or red work best for enticing these fish to eat the bait.
White crappie live in river and prefer colors like pink and blue because these are the natural color of the water in which they live. Therefore, knowing the species of crappie that you are seeking to catch can help the angler to select the best color for the lure that will attract the attention of the crappie to eat the bait.