I am still learning color patterns, but generally I choose 4 colors.
1. color that matches the baitfish. silver/black, silver/blue, mini rainbow trout
2. color that matches the NW crawdads. red/orange, red/black, orange/purple
3. color that matches depth/clarity/and the color prism. Red shallow, Purple deep...watermelon and pumpkin for the inbetween.
4. colors that catch my eye. Hologram...this category usually hits the wallet more than it does the fish.
Overall, i have terrible luck with red, but great luck with purple. Chartreuse is the go-getter.