crankbait colors

[brgbassmaster]

what would you guys say is the best color crank for stained to clear water. the lake i mostly fish has alot of brush and rocks. the coves are pretty clear. and the main lake is stained. alot of threadfin shad also. i do really well on double willow leaf white terminator spinnerbaits. but i want to get my cranking better.  i cant seem to get them in the clearer water just the muddy stuff. thanks.

[Jake.]

In clear and slightly stained water, use natural colors. You said the lake has threadfin shad, so use cranks with shad colors. (whites, silvers, etc....)

[Marty]

I've caught bass on every conceivable color of crankbait with no rhyme or reason for colors. I've caught them in murky water on colors recommended for clear and caught them in clear water on colors recommended for murky. I feel color is way down the list in importance after depth, speed, action, mood of fish, etc.

If I go out with a natural color like bluegill or shad and a bright color like fire tiger, I have confidence that I'll catch just as many (or few) as with an assortment of a dozen colors.

But, like with so many other things, you've got to do what makes you comfortable and gives you confidence.

[.dsaavedra.]

you fish in waters JUST LIKE MINE. and crankbaits are often my go to. my favorite and most productive color by far is anything with tennessee and/or shad in the title. lol.

bandit's louisanna shad is one of my top producers:

as with bandits tennessee shad:

rapala's pearl grey shiner is a favorite of mine also:

i also like ghost minnow colors:

so you pretty much get the idea stick to shad colors: silver, grey, a little bit of white, clear, and a gill spot and you will do fine.

[smallieking]

im not the best crankbait angler but for clear water go with white/pearl or a natural minnow color like a blue for blueback herring or shad  im a big fan of strike kings kvd sexy shad color   good luck

[The_Natural]

you fish in waters JUST LIKE MINE. and crankbaits are often my go to. my favorite and most productive color by far is anything with tennessee and/or shad in the title. lol.

bandit's louisanna shad is one of my top producers:

as with bandits tennessee shad:

rapala's pearl grey shiner is a favorite of mine also:

i also like ghost minnow colors:

so you pretty much get the idea stick to shad colors: silver, grey, a little bit of white, clear, and a gill spot and you will do fine.

Uh...Louisiana Shad sucks...no need to throw that one  .  Seriously...any shad bait with a dark back such as Tennessee Shad, Chartreuse Shad, or Pearl/Black back are my favorites.  I started throwing Louisiana shad after that Bassmaster article a couple of years ago about the Pro's most productive cranks.  Among the 5 or so was a very beat up Louisiana shad Bandit 100 that a Pro (can't remember) won the Red River on.  He said the fish wouldn't touch anything else during that event.  That color has been productive for me in stained water...but so have a lot of shad varieties.  Just for those wondering...the Louisiana Shad is a Bandit exclusive (I think).  

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Question: When do you guys throw red cranks? This includes traps.I have really no experience with red ones and was curious about using them in real stained water. IE. the Rapala dark red craw DT color.

[FishTank]

My favorite and most productive color has to any thing Silver or Pearl Gray, like the Rapala DT's.  I also have good luck with the Chartreuse Shad from Lucky Craft

[Stringjam]

There are no rules.  

I fish some super-clear water and one of my best colors is firetiger.   But just look at some of the sunfish that bass feed on, they are vibrant with yellows, oranges, purple...etc..

I've given up hope of ever really figuring out any hard rules for color selection on crankbaits - because the fish just keep proving me wrong.  

One thing though - - if you stick with the "natural colors" in clear water too hard, you may miss out on some killer fishing!  

Just look at the color "Table Rock Shad."   Ever been to Table Rock, where this color was made famous by dominating a bunch of tournaments?   15'+ visibility in many areas.