The 5 Most Common Mistakes In Choosing a Lure

Everyone knows that choosing the right fishing lure is essential to getting the most out of a fishing trip. Unfortunately, many people's understanding of how fish perceive colors is way off base. Here we will look at the five most common mistakes you may be making when you select a lure. We'll set you on the right path and show you how to successfully increase your haul on your next trip. Avoid these five mistakes to land more fish in less time. 

Mistake #1. Using Reds or Orange in Deep Water

To understand how fish perceive colors, try swapping out your bedroom light bulb for a significantly less powerful bulb. At night, you will notice that every color in your room is different and you can't distinguish between colors. The deeper and dirtier that the water is where you fish, the less colors will be visible. To catch more fish, you must use lures in the colors that fish can actually see. Those who fish in deep or dirty fresh water with red or orange lures may not realize that the lure simply looks grey to the fish. Fish such as bass that live in dark, shaded areas such as under vegetation will not notice lures that appear brightly colored on the surface.

Mistake #2. Choosing a Lure Based on How Your Eyes Perceive It

 The biggest mistake that anglers make when they select a lure for freshwater fishing is to think that fish will see the color in the same way that they do. In fact, water changes the way that light behaves and alters the way that fish see colors. A bright orange lure will look very different just three feet under the water as less than 50 per cent of visible light actually makes it to this depth. The lure will not look the same color to fish as it does to you. To avoid this mistake, choose a lure based on the condition of the water you are fishing in and the amount of plankton and vegetation that is present.

Mistake #3. Matching the Lure Color to the Environment

If the fish you are trying to catch seem to be feeding on orange crawfish, bear in mind that orange is the color they look to you. Fish may not perceive their prey as being the same color at all. This is why choosing an orange lure may prove ineffective. Red, orange and yellow lures may not be visible to fish just a few inches under the water's surface if you are fishing in dirty water. You can avoid this mistake by choosing a blue lure that will still be visible in deep or dirty water.

Mistake #4. Not Considering the Clarity of the Water

While depth is an important factor in how fish perceive the color of lures, water clarity is another issue. If you are fishing in shallow water, lure color becomes all the more important as more light can get down there. In clear, shallow water, blue or brown lures will be more successful while changing to bright lures in dirty, shallow water will improve your chances of making a catch.

Mistake #5. Ignoring What the Fish Are Eating

While fishing in clear, shallow water, matching the color of your lure to the things that the fish are feeding off is a good approach. Fish are far more likely to take the bait if the lure resembles the creatures they are trying to eat. Spend some time observing food sources in the water and determine whether the water is shallow and clear enough for the fish to see a lure in the same color.