Why dark colors when fishing at night?

[airborne_angler]

Ive read several posts about Bass fishing at night and almost all the time the color was black no matter what kind of bait. Wouldnt it be hard for the fish to see black at night? Or is there some special reason for using dark colors at night?

[Okeechobee_Cracker]

i heard its cuz they can see the outline better or somethang like that one of the more experienced anglers will explain lol ;D

[Rebbasser]

The bass see the darker colors better at night.  At least that is the theory.

[Mattlures]

People use black because that is what everybody says to use. In thoery black has a better outline on the surface wich makes sense but everybody seems to think that black is easyer seen on the bottom when actualy white is easery to see on the bottom.  I do a lot of night fishing and have caught many bass over 6lbs and a few over 10 at night and my experiance is color makes no diference at night. I have rotated rods every other cast with black and white lures and other colors too with out any noticable diferences. I had similar results with brass and glass and rattles in worms too. One thing that did seem to get bit more was baits with scent.

[BassBandit35]

Nah dont really think that colors really matters for night bassin' Its the virbration & scent that attract them. I've caught a couple nice one on pumpkinseed at night so what does that tell ya. Its a theory like everyone said.

[Shad_Master]

You have to think of it like this.  When we are out on the bank or in a boat and looking down in the water, the light is behind us and we see a dark world.  The fish are in the water and looking up toward the "light" and can pick up the shadows more easily.  Fish have more ability to pick up light than we do and will be able to "see" better than we do because the "dark" is behind them.  Now darker baits will cause a more distinct outline because of the contrast, but this is not to say that black is better than, say, pumpkin in the same context, but darker is easier for the fish to see.  You also have to consider that fish hone in on "food" through their lateral lines and smell as well as sight, but sight is the predominant sense that fish use to feed.

[Nicky Greece]

You have to think of it like this. When we are out on the bank or in a boat and looking down in the water, the light is behind us and we see a dark world. The fish are in the water and looking up toward the "light" and can pick up the shadows more easily. Fish have more ability to pick up light than we do and will be able to "see" better than we do because the "dark" is behind them. Now darker baits will cause a more distinct outline because of the contrast, but this is not to say that black is better than, say, pumpkin in the same context, but darker is easier for the fish to see. You also have to consider that fish hone in on "food" through their lateral lines and smell as well as sight, but sight is the predominant sense that fish use to feed.

 Excellent Post!!