Topwater colors

[Robert Riley]

When it comes to frogs or buzzbaits, I only fish two colors. Natural and Black for frogs, Black and White for buzzbaits. You guys similar for other topwaters like spooks or poppers?

[IgotWood]

Same for me. Typically white/bone, or black. I have heard that chrome or gold can also be effective in certain conditions.

 

[Oklahoma Mike]

All that really matters is the color of the belly, and white or black is all you need there.

However, want and need are two very different things. If you fish the PopMax lures for instance, you may decide that you want all those awesome-looking colors in your tackle box. Just tell your wife that you need them - she won't know the difference

[Brett's_daddy]

I've always been taught that you want light/white, dark/black and natural/forage color.

[J Francho]

For frogs, visibility is a must.  I have to be able to see the frog.  Big fish almost always just slurp the thing in, and it isn't always that dramatic.  So if the frog disappears, I set the hook.  Therefore, I like a bright back.  Buzzbaits, I think mine are all silver skirted.

[buzzed bait]

pretty sure i only own white-ish or black-ish topwaters for all my poppers, walkers, buzzbaits or frogs

[the reel ess]

If you get the colors they're always out of in Academy you can't go wrong! But then how do you get them?

I like a white or orange belly on topwaters except for Pop R's I usually (always) get silver. Well, I have one in bone.

I've caught more bass on an old, black SK buzzbait than I have on all others combined.

[Raul]

One of my most favorite Baby Torpedo color is transparent.

[Molay1292]

I like baits with white, dark colors, and others with chartreuse or a little orange.  All baits do not float horizontal when stopped, many will float at a vertical angle and the back and sides are exposed then, also other baits expose the sides in the water when walking the dog.   Don't think it is fair to say that only the bottom of the bait is seen by fish.

[papajoe222]

23 hours ago, Oklahoma Mike said:

All that really matters is the color of the belly, and white or black is all you need there.

 

I bought into this reasoning for a long time: When a fish looks up, what does it see? The underside of the bait or its belly, so white or black are the only colors you need. I'll be the first to admit color is never my first consideration when choosing a bait.

Although I agree with the belly color, what about the rest of the bait?  How often is a bait positioned directly above a bass? More than likely the fish is off to the side, or at the very least, sees it approaching.  A fast presentation like a buzzer, doesn't give the fish a good look, so white and black are great options.  But often, with hard baits, a slower presentation is most productive. That's when body color can make a difference.

[Montanaro]

As papa alluded to...color can play a factor.  Saying all they see is the underside is a fallacy.  If i throw a popper or frog into 2 feet of clear water and a bass is 7 feet away near surface he probably can't even see the underside.  But he can see the bluegill pattern and fethered treble that is below surface.

[camman]

Black/white on frogs/top water hard baits

black for buzzbaits

i found focusing on these colors limits the amount of baits I need to keep in the box

[Raul]

What belly color is transparent ?

[primetime]

I use basic colors for the most part...

but certain lures I have favorites...Spook-Bone, White/Chart

Rapala Skitter Pop- Firetiger

I like to take any frog other than black and put black or brown spots on bottom with a sharpie for contrast, same with skirt, if it is all white I make it a white/Black striped skirt to make it look more natural..I like the Spro Tropical White color so I can see the top, or I just take some Pink Nail Polish and put a stripe on topwaters or a dot so I can see it go under...I think top colors matter at times because sometimes bass will use shallow water and ambush a bait from the top, but I only worry about it in clear water...

Speaking of which..In clear water I love a clear color, clear Chug Bug with white and silver dressing, and a touch of Spike It chart on the belly. Clear Torpedos, Pop'r, Spooks all have days when they are money.

[doyle8218]

I'm a black ans white only also.