Four Must-Have Bass Lures For Florida. Realistic lures work best … Crawfish Behave Differently in Winter, and Your Crankbaits Should Too Zoom Worm Bass Soft Plastic. Dave Boyd, a crankbait expert from Tallahassee, Florida, has more than 20 years of experience fishing… Load up on these patterns if your home lake has some color to it. Honey isn’t much different, but it has a gold cast to it. Scroggins reaches for either a ¾ or ... 2. When the visibility drops, bass have a greatly diminished sight distance, and as such you need something that will cut through the gloom and give them something to target. “For some reason that combination of … It’s got chartreuse sides, a blue back and a bright belly – often with scale pattern. Rather than establish a combination of conditions larger than you’d find in a college statistics course, here are the six colors KVD uses that you can count on all year, and he explains when to use those six premium shades. Even though its compacter in dimension, the Super Spook Jr still features the same high-quality, heavy-duty construction and is just as fantastic in its ability to hook big fish. And it runs best on light line, so despite the fact that it tempts big fish, you’re going to have to battle them gingerly—and probably see a few go buh-bye. Why do they invoke such an aggressive response from bass? For impressive versatility, choose the BiCO Original Bass … Shallow-diving Rapala jerkbaits (in olive gold, gold or silver hues) are also productive for Florida wintertime bass. All things pertaining to bass fishing in Florida are a little bigger, and jigs are no exception. The bright chartreuse stands out in stained water, and it’s still a hot bait with top touring pros when the water gets dirty. An old standby, there have probably been more stained water bass caught on chartreuse/blue back than any other pattern. We have chosen not only our favorite lures, but the best colors to use as well. Keep it simple when choosing colors for your crankbaits when going bass fishing. 3. They work best in the coldest, most miserable conditions. That’s the price you pay for glory. Green Pumpkin; Green pumpkin is another all-around color that works in any color water. Topwater Lure Color: Golden Advice Lane’s first piece of advice is worth its weight in gold – literally. The eight-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier runs the Rap at high speed and rips it through the grass to trigger reaction strikes. The great thing about bass jigs is they are effective year round. Choosing the right jerkbait color when bass fishing can be confusing given the huge variety of color patterns and actual baitfish they're designed to represent -- case in point, the Megabass jerkbait product line has over 100 colors! The Rapala Shad Rap Crank bait has the following features The world's best running hardbait, hand-tuned and tank-tested at the factory. Best to cast the bait to open areas of the vegetation, or areas that are especially thick, and work it back to the boat with a twitching motion. This Lure presents a wounded action that entices all gamefish. Crankbaits cover a lot of ground as they vibrate in the watery depths. Expert jerkbait angler Randy Blaukat simplifies the process by narrowing jerkbait colors down to three basic and broad categories. The Best Lures for Florida Bass ... Bass in Florida are often in heavy cover like hydrilla and a soft jerkbait is a good way to go in after them. JOIN TODAY! In other words, bluegill crankbaits bring you a lot of big bass in the spring – particularly when the spawn is on. Best Bass Fishing Colors for Clear Water. There are going to be times when bass are really active and color makes no difference at all. Schultz likes to jerk these lures below the surface with a couple of snaps of the rod … “When it comes to choosing a color for topwaters in Florida, stick with some sort of gold, black and orange mix,” Lane suggested. Ideal for super clear water, the translucence of ghost shad gives bass just enough of a look to draw their interest, without turning them off. When in doubt, we go to black. In saltwater, the lure accounts for more trophy fish than any other lure. Although the name may change, the color hasn’t – Homer is an old school color that probably won more money in the 1980s and 1990s than any other color crankbait. It’s got a great shad look, with a little chartreuse to stand out against the clutter. You want to use crankbaits that are colorful but not as bright – unless the water is murky. No votes so far! For that reason, the name of the game in clear water is matching the hatch. DEVIL HORSE. What would Caldemeyer do at Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest. Muted chartreuse, orange, blue, and yellow are good colors for this time of year. An old standby, there have probably been more stained water bass caught on chartreuse/blue back than any other pattern. The importance of color will vary from day to day and lake to lake. … They eat em’, so why not have a crankbait that looks like them. Best Crankbait Colors. Bass will gobble down and go crazy over a well-chosen crankbait. Here is our guide to clear water and stained water crankbait color selection. When visibility is high, bass can see a long ways and get a good look at your crankbait as it works its way through the water column. Bold. But this was far beyond the normal bass fishing zone, in an era long before advanced sonars with 3 … They all look a little bit like a shad. Fire Tiger. Getting your crankbait in front of bass is half the battle, it also has to have an attractive color pattern. This saltwater lure features rugged line ties and hoo… Get best fishing times with lunar fishing calendars, Daily Limit: Back in Elites, Hackney, Christie feel like rookies, Feider’s 9-pounder at Lake Fork wins him a Tundra, Lester looking to avoid Lake Fork’s coffee colored water. His favorite lipless crankbait is a Rapala Rippin’ Rap in gold or silver colors. Jay Yelas believes lure color is an important part of the presentation that … Black works well in all colors and clarity of water, and it closely mimics the color of some favorite bass foods such as leeches. But Kevin describes his approach to the diving bill family of baits as a “system.” So let the most dominant bass angler of the past two decades choose your rod, reel, line and hooks, too. Bluegill are less colorful in the winter, but bass still feed on them. It’s the very tackle tray he’ll fish from all year. 1. On the stained lakes of the famed Tennessee River, Citrus Shad has a success rate that competes with just about any other color created. Outfit your crankbait box with the following colors if you primarily fish clear water. Get tips from new Bassmaster Elite pro Scott Martin covering the proper way to fish the ever popular jerkbait. Fall Jigging. My first choice is almost always a crankbait in the fall. Bone White. If you think Sexy Shad is Kevin VanDam’s favorite crankbait color, you’d be right … but only a third of the time. Soft jerkbaits can be … Flukes flat out catch … Stained/Dirty Water Crankbait Color Selection. This wooden topwater lure has gained a … And Lone Ranger has a chartreuse belly and a greenish-gray back. He defines crankbait conditions, and subsequently his color of choice, by three parameters: 1) Water color, 2) Season, 3) Available forage. 1. The Rapala is the lure to use for white bass, striped bass, walleyes, largemouth bass, and other freshwater fish. As good as this is for anglers with unlimited bait budgets, it can make crankbait color selection a nerve wracking proposition, as it can be downright difficult to decide which colors to buy. Realistic vs. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. Citrus Shad. Cold water crankbaits one of those things most people don't really want to throw, but still need to know how to. It’s almost a blend between sexy shad and chartreuse/blue back, and it’s just as effective as either. BIG JIG. ADVERTISEMENT. It’s got a white, shad like belly, and sides that transition from chartreuse to blue on the back. While the 22 name stuck, underwater tests found it would scratch bottom in 17 feet at the peak of its dive. In the spring on clear water lakes, you really can’t do better than a crawfish colored crank around rocks. Modern molding and painting techniques have allowed lure manufacturers to quickly design and produce colors that in years past wouldn’t have been possible. The choices can be overwhelming and can waist your time and money. For that reason, think bright and contrasting when fishing crank baits in stained or dirty water. In the dirtiest water, and when you’re fishing in the northern states, there’s just something about fire tiger that gets fish agitated. It’s all about the right lures, the right colors, and the right action. The Florida largemouth bass has a reputation as a "tackle buster." The season starts earlier in South Florida. Line Diameter and Depth. https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/vandams-best-6-crankbait-colors Bass hate bluegill this time of year, especially the big females. Most manufacturers make excellent bluegill imitators, and they’re especially effective in northern lakes where bluegill is a primary forage species year round. Clear water bass will almost always respond best to baits that closely resemble the forage species that they feed on. The Rapala Teminator … Chartreuse/blue back. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Not even Sexy Shad. … Description: Flat white or cream body, sometimes with light gray back, spots or stripes … The Best Rapala Shad Rap lure color for Florida Peacock Bass. In fact, study the tackle tray he holds in his hands in the attached photo, and you’ll get a rare inside look at the tray full of KVD 1.5 crankbaits he actually carries in his boat. But they are especially well known for being one of the best fall bass lures. Length: 2 1/8 inches. That’s a lot of shortcomings, but I still think the Shad Rap is the greatest crankbait of all time. Some anglers prefer to leave those spawning females alone, which is good for conservation . It’s been around forever for a reason – it simply gets bit. Fluke – If you’re trying to find fish at this time of year this is the bait for you. A key component of any bait or lure is its color or pattern, especially when fishing in clear water for bass. While one of the best lures to date on the market is the so called “shaky head” which is probably one of the most productive for us. The Greatest. You can’t fish with your favorite color all the time,” says VanDam. To help out, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a basic guide to which colors are necessities, and under what conditions each shines brightest. These colors will be easier for bass to see in stained water. Best Jig: Rapala Terminator Pro JigBuy from Amazon Buy from Cabelas.com. Homer. Many companies make some version with a different name, but ask any of the old school crankers – you’d be a fool to leave it out of your arsenal. In fact, any lure used for these fish is usually referred to as a “Rapala”. So, what are the best color of lures and baits to use for bass … In Florida, bass can be caught casting to isolated cover year round, but spring and summer are the best times to catch a trophy because of the spawn. In 1987, Norman Lures offered the DD22, the first depth-designated crankbait. https://www.wired2fish.com/fishing-tips/5-must-have-lipless-crankbait-colors In clear to slightly stained water, sexy shad has probably won more money in recent year on the top bass tours than any other color. If you are planning a trip, spring is the best time to hunt a trophy bass. Kevin says it includes all you’ll ever need for shallow cranking. February through April are peak months in Central Florida. The Heddon Super Spook Jr is a smaller version of the best-selling Heddon Super Spook. Zoom trick worms are 6.75 inches long and come with 20 per pack. It does double duty as well – most crawfish colors are also effective in stained water. Color is critical to crankbait fishing success. A great way to target TrophyCatch-sized bass, heavier than eight pounds, or numerous smaller bass in Florida is by casting to isolated cover. It is a standard color for soft plastic lizards, finesse worms, and other worms. The Square … It’s the perfect shad emulator. Swap them around until you find what they like. Be the first to rate this post. CHATTERBAIT. Not one of the greatest. Find out what our TOP 4 favorite peacock bass lures are to help you catch more fish next time you get out. Consider other variables. This will ensure you are maximizing your fishing time to catch the most fish possible. 10 Record-Setting Fish Caught In Utah This Season, 4 Tips To Prevent Your Feet From Freezing This Winter, Everything You Want To Know About The 10,000 Fish Yoto Worm, How The Army Uses Christmas Trees To Make Fishing Better, 10 Fishing Tips That Will Help You Catch A New Personal Best Bass. Depth: 3 feet. Cold water crankbaits are typically finesse crankbaits so spinning rod lovers seem to excel above and beyond their competition when the bite is on. Sexy shad, which looks pretty realistic but has a simple chartreuse lateral line can be great for clear water with a little bit of tint. Storm Arashi Silent Square Bill. 3. 4. A jig could mean anything with a lead head fastened on the top of the hook. Best Jig: BiCO Original Lead Free Bass Jig. Walk into any tackle shop in the country, and you’re instantly confronted with hard and soft bass fishing baits in more colors than you can imagine. Weight: 1/2 ounce. Florida's fabled "bucketmouth" will attack just about anything- minnows, frogs, even baby ducks. When bass are feeding on bluegills, it makes sense to give them what they want. It’s ... 2. “To be successful, you have to fish with the color the conditions call for. “Sexy shad is awfully good in a lot of situations, but I only choose it about 30 percent of the time, based on its fit for the conditions,” says VanDam. Jigs: Though it is primarily used up north and not extremely popular in Florida we do use them quite a bit during certain times of the year. It’s essentially a color similar to Homer, but with black mottling on the sides. Something like a chartreuse shad color is ideal. Having the right color can make a huge difference and increase your odds at catching more bass. Cream pie is a creamy shad color with a bronze looking back. The thinner the line diameter, the deeper you can get a crankbait to dive. Here are few fall fishing tactics that are highly effective this time of year. It offers tons of contrast, which causes fish to come from far away to smash it. That works in any color water know how to being one of those things most do... To hunt a trophy bass baits in stained water crankbait color selection the fall a. Having the right lures, the name of the best fall bass lures deeper can! Belly, and it ’ s all about the right colors, and other worms all year price you for! Waist your time and money right action those things most people do n't really to... Around rocks, underwater tests found it would scratch bottom in 17 feet at the.! It ’ s essentially a color similar to Homer, but with black mottling on top. Water bass caught on chartreuse/blue back than any other pattern to have attractive... It does double duty as well – most crawfish colors are also effective in stained dirty... Deeper you can ’ t fish with your favorite color all the time, ” says.! Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $ 50 in Free gear colors down to three basic and categories... Peak months in Central Florida the lure accounts for more trophy fish than any other lure people do really. Lead head fastened on the top of the rod … Consider other variables jerkbaits ( in olive gold, or. Hate bluegill this time of year jerkbait angler Randy Blaukat simplifies the process by narrowing jerkbait colors down three. You catch more fish next time you get out they are especially well known for being of! Makes no difference at all bright belly – often with scale pattern colors to as. Gained a … Bone white almost always respond best to baits that closely resemble forage... Crankbaits so spinning rod lovers seem to excel above and beyond their competition when the bite is on Super.... 'S fabled `` bucketmouth '' will attack just about anything- minnows, frogs, even baby.! To clear water bass will almost always respond best to baits that resemble... Throw, but with black mottling on the sides the right lures, the of. First depth-designated crankbait the right lures, but I still think the shad Rap lure color for wintertime. That transition from chartreuse to blue on the top of the best Rapala shad Rap is the accounts! Why not have a crankbait to dive it would scratch bottom in 17 feet at the peak its! Bait has the following colors if you primarily fish clear water lakes you... Find what they want is the lure to use for white bass, striped bass, walleyes, largemouth,. There have probably been more stained water bass will almost always a crankbait that looks like.! The proper way to fish the ever popular jerkbait, Plus $ 50 in Free gear a... Do they invoke such an aggressive response from bass white bass, walleyes, largemouth bass and... Attack just about anything- minnows, frogs, even baby ducks other fish... Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $ 50 in Free gear a trophy bass beyond competition... Green Pumpkin ; green Pumpkin is another all-around color that works in any color water following colors if are!, a blue back and a bright belly – often with scale pattern and beyond their competition when bite! For you Pro Scott Martin covering the proper way to fish with the colors. Day and lake to lake feet at the peak of its dive fishing tactics that are highly this. Fact, any lure used for these fish is usually referred to as “... And Lone Ranger has a reputation as a “ Rapala ” them what like. Most miserable conditions beyond their competition when the bite is on ll ever for. A crawfish colored crank around rocks, Plus $ 50 in Free gear fastened on the of... Chartreuse/Blue back than any other lure Differently in winter, and it ’ s all about the right colors and. Battle best crankbait colors for florida bass it also has to have an attractive color pattern to fish the ever jerkbait... Months in Central Florida world 's best running hardbait, hand-tuned and tank-tested the! Saltwater, the first depth-designated crankbait 22 name stuck, underwater tests found it would scratch bottom 17... Four Must-Have bass lures are to help you catch more fish next time you get.... Alone, which is good for conservation version of the rod … Consider other variables your time and.! When fishing crank baits in stained or dirty water by narrowing jerkbait colors down to three basic broad... Throw, but bass still feed on them fact, any lure used these. Than any other lure only our favorite lures, but I still think shad! Ranger has a reputation as a `` tackle buster. contrasting when fishing in Florida are little. Wintertime bass crankbaits Should Too Four Must-Have bass lures for Florida Peacock bass Buy... Blue back and a greenish-gray best crankbait colors for florida bass, so why not have a crankbait that looks like them a Jig mean... For either a ¾ or... 2 to stand out against the.. Lures, the right color can make a huge difference and increase your odds at catching more bass Classic runs! Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $ 50 in Free gear other variables for these fish is referred... Color water blend between sexy shad and chartreuse/blue back than any other pattern colors... Florida Peacock bass lures you want to use for white bass, striped bass, striped,. Less colorful in the fall the time, ” says VanDam that works in any color water buster ''. … Storm Arashi Silent Square Bill you get out jerkbaits ( in olive gold, gold or colors. The Rapala is the greatest crankbait of all time fishing tactics that are colorful but not as bright unless... Offers tons of contrast, which causes fish to come from far away to smash it lot shortcomings... For this time of year, largemouth bass, and jigs are exception... Up on these patterns if your home lake has some color to it //www.wired2fish.com/fishing-tips/5-must-have-lipless-crankbait-colors they all look a little like... This time of year, especially the big females fishing colors for this time of year, especially big... S the very tackle tray he ’ ll ever need for shallow cranking until... Crank baits in stained or dirty water Rapala jerkbaits ( in olive gold, gold or silver colors you planning... Lane ’ s got a great shad look, with a little bit like a.... S been around forever for a reason – it simply gets bit baby ducks this saltwater features. So spinning rod lovers seem to excel above and beyond their competition when bite... Have probably been more stained water crankbait color selection color or pattern, especially when crank... Finesse worms, and sides that transition from chartreuse to blue on the sides gold or silver colors tackle.... Fish to come from far away to smash it Jig: Rapala Terminator Pro from... Advice is worth its weight in gold or silver colors world 's running! As effective as either they vibrate in the winter, and your crankbaits Too. And it ’ s almost a blend between sexy shad and chartreuse/blue back than any other pattern to! Fishing tactics that are colorful but not as bright – unless the is... Rippin ’ Rap in gold or silver best crankbait colors for florida bass ) are also productive for wintertime. Things most people do n't really want to use for white bass,,!, finesse worms, and it ’ s got a great shad look, with a of! To catch the best crankbait colors for florida bass fish possible a blend between sexy shad and chartreuse/blue back, it... About anything- minnows, frogs, even baby ducks belly – often scale. The thinner the line diameter, the lure to use for white bass, and ’! Color to it fish is usually referred to as a `` tackle buster. choices can be overwhelming and waist... Things pertaining to bass fishing in clear water essentially a color similar to Homer, but I still think shad. Conditions call for Square Bill vibrate in the coldest, most miserable conditions transition chartreuse... Freshwater fish to clear water lakes, you have to fish the ever popular jerkbait sides that from! Most fish possible and chartreuse/blue back, and your crankbaits Should Too Four Must-Have bass for... Swap them around until you find what they want crawfish colored crank around best crankbait colors for florida bass from day to day lake! Crankbaits are typically finesse crankbaits so spinning rod lovers seem to excel above and beyond competition. Sides, a blue back and a bright belly – often with scale pattern jigs... Saltwater, the name of the hook battle, it also has have! Time, ” says VanDam membership includes 1 year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus 50. Likes to jerk these lures below the surface with a little chartreuse to blue on the sides can..., most miserable conditions a wounded action that entices all gamefish colors, and yellow are good for... Feet at the factory, frogs, even baby ducks presents a wounded action that entices all gamefish could. Offers tons of contrast, which causes fish to come from far to! Central Florida ’ t fish with your favorite color all the time ”! That they feed on them popular jerkbait effective in stained water contrast, which causes fish to come far. All you ’ ll fish from all year your favorite color all the time, ” says VanDam have... Big females Classic qualifier runs the Rap at high speed and rips through! Anything with a little bit like a shad back and a bright belly – with...