Selecting the right color for your crappie jig can make the difference between a slow day and a livewell full of slabs. While there are countless colors available on the market, understanding how water clarity and sky conditions affect color visibility underwater will help you narrow down your choices and catch more fish.
Water Clarity: The Primary Factor
Water clarity should be your first consideration when selecting jig colors. Different colors penetrate water differently, and what looks vibrant above the surface may appear completely different to a crappie below.
Clear Water
In clear water conditions, natural and translucent colors that mimic local baitfish are your best bet:
- Purple, brown, silver/gray, blue, green and red represent the most common colors found in clear water baitfish
- Blue is particularly effective in lakes with strong threadfin shad populations
- Purple works well for imitating gizzard shad and sunfish
- Popular clear water colors include Monkey Milk, Purple Monkey, Junebug Pearl Chartreuse, Glacier, Crystal, Blue Ice, and Threadfin Shad
Stained Water
For stained or dingy water, visibility becomes more limited, so brighter colors that stand out are more effective:
- Bright solid and laminate patterns, especially those with chartreuse components
- Chartreuse and white, if opaque, offer good visibility in lightly stained to very dingy water
- Popular stained water colors include Bluegrass, Electric Chicken, Green Lantern, and Bone White/Chartreuse
Muddy Water
In muddy conditions, creating a strong silhouette becomes crucial:
- Dark colors like black, purple, and brown create better silhouettes in muddy water
- Bold, bright colors like orange, red, and fluorescent options can also be effective
- Popular muddy water colors include Lights Out, Black Gum, Black/Hot Pink, and Tuxedo Shimmer
Sky Conditions: The Secondary Factor
After considering water clarity, sky conditions should influence your color selection:
Bright, Sunny Days
- In clear water, natural colors with some flash work best
- In stained water, chartreuse combinations become particularly effective
- The increased light penetration makes colors more visible at greater depths
Overcast or Cloudy Days
- Colors appear more muted underwater
- Brighter, more vibrant colors can help attract attention
Dawn and Dusk
- Dark colors that create strong silhouettes work well
- Glow-in-the-dark or UV-enhanced plastics can provide added visibility
Top Color Combinations That Consistently Produce
While there are endless color options, several combinations have proven themselves across various conditions:
1.Black and Chartreuse
2.Red and Chartreuse
3.Blue Thunder
4.Electric Chicken
5.Bluegrass
Color Selection Based on Depth
Remember that colors disappear underwater at different depths:
- Red fades fairly quickly as depth increases
- Purples and blacks are among the last colors to disappear at depth
- Opaque lures tend to hold their color better in stained water and are more visible at greater depths
When to Change Colors
If you’re confident crappie are present but aren’t getting bites:
- Wait 5-10 minutes before changing colors
- If using forward-facing sonar, observe how fish react to your bait; if they don’t respond favorably, a color change is warranted
- If color changes don’t produce, consider switching to a different bait style entirely, such as a finesse hair jig
Final Thoughts
While color selection is important, remember that other factors like jig size, presentation, and location are equally crucial to success. Start with the guidelines above, but don’t be afraid to experiment. The “best” color on any given day might surprise you.
As with most aspects of fishing, confidence in your lure plays a significant role. Having a few proven color combinations that you trust will catch fish in various conditions will serve you better than a tackle box overflowing with every color under the sun.
Keep a fishing log of which colors work best in specific conditions on your local waters, and you’ll soon develop a reliable system for selecting the right plastic color for any crappie fishing situation you encounter.