I just read this article on what colors fish can see at different depths in the water and found it very interesting. I did not realize that red is actually a very lousy color even in fairly clear water except for a very short period of time during sunrise. I liked it and thought I would share it. I would like to hear what you guys have to say about it.

Colors Fish See

Here is some more great information about florescent colors

Fluorescent Colors Increase Visibility
Fluorescent colors, especially chartreuse, are very popular with saltwater fly fishermen. I almost always start fishing with a chartreuse Half & Half, even if it’s just to see if there are any fish in the area. Under the right conditions, fluorescent colors, which are not naturally found in nature, can be very visible under water and seen for considerable distances. A fluorescent color is one that will be bright when exposed to light having a shorter wavelength. For example, fluorescent yellow appears as bright yellow when exposed to ultra-violet, blue, or green light. Alternatively, fluorescent yellow does not appear yellow when struck by red light that has a longer wavelength. Because of this unique characteristic of fluorescent colors, they do not have as dramatic a change of color when they are fished deeper.

The fluorescence of fluorescent colors is mainly due to ultraviolet (UV) light, a color that is invisible to us. Humans cannot see UV light, but we can see how it brings out the fluorescence in certain colors. Ultraviolet light is especially dominant on cloudy or gray days, and when UV light hits something having fluorescent material, its color becomes especially visible and vibrant. On bright sunlit days, the fluorescent effect is considerably less, and of course if there is no light, there will be no fluorescence.

Research shows that fluorescent colors are visible and distinct for longer distances than regular colors, and that a fly with fluorescent materials often attracts fish. To be more precise, a fluorescent color having a slightly longer wavelength than the color of the water has better long-distance visibility. For example, in greenish waters, the brightest colors would be fluorescent green or chartreuse. As good as fluorescent colors may be, they will usually not work if the fish are actively feeding on a specific bait, since it is highly improbable that the fluorescent color will resemble any color in that bait.

As you can see, light and color can get pretty complicated. But let’s not forget what we are trying to do: have our flies imitate pieces of fish food. Fish are not very clever, and they attack prey — or flies — as an instinctive behavior motivated (or so we think) by one or more stimuli. These stimuli include movement, shape, sound, contrast, smell, color, presentation, and certainly other things unknown to us. Successful flies should probably include some of these stimuli, and then we need to consider other variables such as the time of day, the tide, and the presence of other fish or fishermen. This is a complicated venture, of which color can sometimes be an important aspect, but only if the fish can see the color.

Great article, thanks for posting.

I recall from grade school physics that white reflects all wavelengths so I always wondered why not just stick with white. However, I guess it doesn't fluoresce the same way as chartreuse and other fluorescent colors.

It seems like at any depth beyond a few feet red and black are the same. It seems like paying extra for red hooks may be a waste of $ unless someone is fishing fairly shallow? I guess this goes back to the same debate about red fishing line disappearing while one is fishing w/ red hooks :-)

Well, as they say "it's no use If it Ain't got Chartruse
In tyhe last couple of years I have seen that to hold true.
Last year I had to change out my Black-Chart Rocky Top afew times during the tourny 'cause they were pulling the skirts out.

"Red light is almost completely absorbed within the first 15-20 feet. Orange penetrates to 30-40 feet, and yellow to 60-70 feet, while green and blue remain visible for as deep as the light penetrates.

The total amount of light also decreases with depth. At 50 feet, a yellow lure will still appear yellow, but will not appear as bright as it did at 20 feet."



I've always caught more crappie on a MidSouth tube in the color "Pumpkin n Pepper". I couldn't copy the picture so here is the page. It is #911. But greens and blues are also good producers too.

We probably have 18"s of visibility in the lake where I fish. I never really understood why, but I guess the yellow color makes it more visible to the fish in 10' to 15' deeps than most other colors..

http://midsouthtackle.com/Products.aspx?menu=bynumber&jigpage=900

" I did not realize that red is actually a very lousy color even in fairly clear water except for a very short period of time during sunrise."

It so true I use red just before sunrise and get thumped but when that sun is up the red is done.

I have a Red experience like non other the last couple months,to be more accurate JD and his Crappie crew swear by red, they was catching plenty of fish as a matter of fact they were the only ones doing so Red Red pee in the bed!!! but they was killing them. I seen it and still didn't budge. okay this past season on a well known dock halfway to Abilene the same thing Red Red Pee in the bed they been killing them, so one day I tried Red Red pee everywhere in deep water 27-32 ft. I got schooled Red been the ticket for big deep water slabs, I don't know if they see Red or a different shade of Grey but they were on it until last Sat afternoon when they hit the Blue-Bomber in 28 ft. I don't make jigs to sell but there are some excellent jigmakers on here who make a Blue that should be excellent.