Bass Seeing Bait Color

[LWD]

How can bass see any color at all down at such depths?

[tmier]

http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us&client=ms-android-verizon&source=android-browser-type&q=can+fish+see+colors

I Googled it for you

[LWD]

Thanks, sometimes I forget about google .

[Sam]

Because fish see in water as we see in air.

Colors change as the light penetration evaporates.

So some colors become black or shades of gray depending on the light penetration in the water.

Did you know that a bass can see three feet for each one foot we can see in the water???

Get Knowing Bass, The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish by Dr. Keith Jones. You will learn a lot about your enemy.

http://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Bass-Scientific-Approach-Catching/dp/159228616X

[LWD]

Thanks Sam

[Bass Angler Magazine]

Hi! If you're interested in how bass see, we have a complete article coming up in the Winter issue of Bass Angler Magazine ( www.bassanglermag.com ) that I think anglers of any level can use as a resource for years to come. Here is a short exert:

Humans see frequencies ranging from 390 nanometers (violet) to 750 nanometers (red) (known as the visible light spectrum) and bass see frequencies ranging from 400nm to 700nm. Frequencies outside the visible light spectrum include high frequency ultra violet light, x-rays, and gamma rays and low frequency radio waves, microwaves, and infrared waves. A light wave contains all of the colors of the visible light spectrum (white light) and once it hits an object, certain wavelengths are either reflected or absorbed. There are many more useful articles and I hope you'll subscribe or pick up an issue and SEE what we ate really about.

Thanks

Mark

Editor-in-Chief

[Bassn Blvd]

Hi! If you're interested in how bass see, we have a complete article coming up in the Winter issue of Bass Angler Magazine ( www.bassanglermag.com ) that I think anglers of any level can use as a resource for years to come. Here is a short exert:

Humans see frequencies ranging from 390 nanometers (violet) to 750 nanometers (red) (known as the visible light spectrum) and bass see frequencies ranging from 400nm to 700nm. Frequencies outside the visible light spectrum include high frequency ultra violet light, x-rays, and gamma rays and low frequency radio waves, microwaves, and infrared waves. A light wave contains all of the colors of the visible light spectrum (white light) and once it hits an object, certain wavelengths are either reflected or absorbed. There are many more useful articles and I hope you'll subscribe or pick up an issue and SEE what we ate really about.

Thanks

Mark

Editor-in-Chief

I think you need to simplify your article.

[J Francho]

I don't think it needs simplification at all, just illustration:

[LWD]

You need light to see color and when it's dark at lake depths I don't think the bass can see color therefore the color of bait you throw don't matter. Do you think that's true?

[Sam]

You need light to see color and when it's dark at lake depths I don't think the bass can see color therefore the color of bait you throw don't matter. Do you think that's true?

No. Colors change depending on the light penetration and the shades of gray to black change as the bait sinks deeper and based on the water conditions.

Watermelon has a different profile and base when compared with Junebug at lower depths.

[SENKOSAM]

Considering all environmental variables that affect color, actual color (hue) accuracy as we see it above water is rarely what a fish sees, except in gin clear water. Flourescent colors maintain color accuracy deeper, but again, is it the color or its brightness /contrast that matters?

Every lure I own (except soft sticks) have more than one color in them, but only for contrast. When I tie jigs, I have a few color combos I have total confidence in: rootbeer, black scale with green flakes or black with blue strands. Contrast and brightness.

Why is green pumpkin one of the most used jig trailer colors? Human preference, word of mouth, anecdotal experiences, superstition - whatever you want to call it. I've used many other colors and catch bass in all color water at different hours and it doesn't seem to make much difference in catch rate 4'-20'.

IMO contrast/brightness can sometimes be too much. Who among us casts a white skirted jig most of the time? I have but don't do well (though half the time I have faith in pearl white spinnerbaits).

When most hues are not reflected, go dark or dark with contrast; when most hues are reflected (clear shallow water, sunny day), pick your favorite color and stick with it after trial and error over many outings. Also note what color(s) enhance a particular bait's action.

One or two colors are usually all I need to make life a lot simpler - dark, muted, bright. (BTW natural is overrated!)

[Jim H.]

Why is it important whether or not bass can see color? The proper question should be can the fish "see" the bait? I know of no evidence the fish takes the bait simply because of its color. There are a number of reasons fish "bite." Personally, I don't think one of them is color. In fact, I would challenge anyone to prove that bass have to "see" or visualize the bait before they will feed on it.

Quite a number of years ago there was a guy with a PHD at the SE MO State University in Cape Girardeau. IIRC his name was Dr. Fred Janzow. He wrote his dissertation on the largemouth bass and later was involved with the old Bass Research Foundation. In a study he did, he placed bass in a large well lighted tank and fed them minnows (shad?), and kept detailed records on their food intake over a fixed time period. The next step he introduced turbidity (mud) into the water and again recorded the feeding result. Step by step, he reduced the visibility in the tank, finally removing ALL light sources. Even the in a totally dark,turbid water situation with zero visibility, there was very little difference in the amount of food the bass consumed. In fact, the lateral line is perhaps a more important factor than vision. With this fact in mind, where does color emerge in the equation?

In a later study, he concluded bass can see your line, and it does make a differenc in the catch ratio. I do not agree, but that is for another time.

Incidentally, ever notice a bass taken from dingy water will not usually be ascolorful as one from clear water. The Professor made a video that showed basschanging their color pattern instantly and at will. It was amazing.