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Any ichtyologists here. Can Bass truly see color?

I realize that color can make a big difference in fishing lures. Chartreuss, white etc. Do bass see in color? we are told that cats, dogs etc can only see in black & white though much better in dark areas. How do we know Bass etc. see individual colors rather than a brighter or darker lure? I'm hearing a lot about hooks & lures colored red that ostensibly draw fish because they think it's a bleeding prey fish, but I'm skeptical of their claims with out any real evidence. Can anyone on this NG fill me in on this conudrum? What telling evidence has been put forth??? Carl
GrayGhostYankee
Feb 15
2005
My theory is that certain colors reflect their band widths of light better or worse or differently than others. This would mean that while it may appear to be black or white or some shade of grey to a receptor the actual light reaches the receptor better. For instance the frequency of blue light may propogate better than the frequency for yellow light in some circumstances. This would mean that it could be seen better through the fishes cones in their eye even though the cones only sense differences in light intensity rather than the difference in light frequency.

Of course theories like opinions are like certain bodily orifices. Everybody has one.

Bob
Feb 15
From in fisherman studies, and doctor Kagiyama (spelling) bass do have cones. They can see color, supposedly they shy away from yellow lines, but are attracted to neon blue lines. I am actually reading the in-fisherman largemouth bass book now, and have read What a fish sees (primarily a steelhead book, but he does discuss bass). If you grab those 2 books, as well as studies by Doug Hannon it would give you a good step in the right direction.

Chris

Chris
Feb 15
Long before I got into the fishing lure business, the subject of a fish's vision in the chaotic world of water fascinated me, as it still does. I read everything available on the subject, and still do. Here is a micro-summary of what every qualified expert firmly believes to be true:

1) If the available light is adequate, fish see a far larger part of the color spectrum than do humans.

2) As available light diminishes to dark, fish become 100% color blind. Period.

3) Color, as affected by light, water clarity, etc. is a major factor in many sight-feeding fish, such as bass, locating their prey. Regardless what claims a really good angler may make, none ignore color.

4) As to evidence, Carl, all the information available on the subject could take a lifetime for me to present. I have neither the time nor the desire to go where I have already been, so I invite you to research it for yourself if you have doubts.

Bob
Feb 16
I think that the point of the "red craze" is this; red, though less visible than blue or green under water, is still the color of blood. Whether fish see it as "red" or black, matters little; they see it as the same color as blood. Copolymer fishing line doesn't only have reflectance, it also has refractance; it is semi transparent. Since it refracts light, as that color disappears under water, the refractence changes. At some point, the refractence may become close enough to that of water so that the line basically disappears. Red line may also flouresce under full spectrum light, but as the IR/red is diminished, they may no longer do so. That's the way hi-vis lines work; they emit a color when exposed to white light, and some of the color that affects them can actually be outside the visible spectrum. Red hooks, have little refractive properties, but reflect the light that hits them. As that color diminishes, they get darker untill they lose all color (black). At that point, they are still visible, but mainly by contrast with other colors. Therefore, red line may nearly vanish under water, while red hooks look like blood. JAT...

Mark

Mark
Feb 16
I guess I am from the "old school". I'm not the greatest bass fisherman, but I catch my share of em. I'm not particular when it comes to line color..I use what the kid gives me now, Maxima ultra green. I mostly fish soft plastics, or an ocassional top water lure. I really believe that the the presentaion/technique, and site selection for the conditions, is the true difference in catching bass, or not catching em.

I reckon I could be convinced to go with some of the new "innovations" if I saw the positive results in person...but I don't own no red hooks, nor red line right now, and ain't runnin 'round looking for any either! Maybe all that stuff helps, I don't know...but I'm willing to bet that catchin bass is 95% know how, and just 5% know what!

(Disclaimer...this is only my opinon) <grin>

JK

jbkbub
Feb 16
   

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