Shock Colors; 5 Sensational Reasons To Fish Them

You might’ve thought you’ve heard it all when it comes to fishing tactics. Lure sizes, bait types, fishing times… and the list goes on. But have you ever considered the power of shock colors in fishing? If this sounds new to you, hold onto your fishing hat because this might just be the ace up your sleeve you’ve been searching for!

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Fishing Lure Colors

What Are Fishing Shock Colors?

Simply put, shock colors are bright, contrasting shock colors that aren’t usually associated with natural prey but can effectively draw a fish’s attention. Think hot pinks, electric blues, neon greens, and vibrant oranges. I’m talking about bold and high-contrast color combinations that are meant to stand out and provoke a strong reaction from fish. Like the colors below:

• Electric Blue: A vibrant blue color that is highly visible underwater, especially in clearer water conditions.
• Hot Pink: This color can be very effective in stained or murky water, as it stands out well against the darker background.
• Chartreuse and White: This combination of bright chartreuse and white is a classic shock color that’s known for attracting attention, particularly in murky water.
• Firecracker Red: A mix of red and orange that can imitate an injured prey and trigger an aggressive response from fish.
• Fluorescent Green: Another high-visibility color, especially in low-light or murky water situations.
• Purple Haze: A dark purple or plum color can be an unexpected shock color that entices curious fish to strike.
• Glow-in-the-Dark: Lures that glow in the dark or have luminescent elements can be effective in low-light conditions.

D0n’t forget shock colors are super bright, they’re vibrant and they stand out. Look for pinks, chartreuse, stark white, oranges, methylate or lime green colored baits. These can be worms, creatures, spinner & buzz baits, jerkbaits and more.

When to Use Shock Colors?

So when do you use shock colors?

Dirty Water Conditions: When the water visibility and low light conditions make it almost impossible to see in the water, now is the time to switch to shock colors.

Fishing Pressure: When there’s too much bait and all the bait is the same. The fish are refusing to hit that watermelon or pumpkin worm. Match the hatch is failing you. These fish have gotten accustomed to the “same old” natural forage foods and seeing the same lures and baits presented to them. Now is the time to switch to a shock color.

Reaction Strikes: When you see a group of bass clustered together, tossing a shock colored lure in the midst can trigger a reaction strike. They’re packed up and it can be as easy as one fish doesn’t want the other fish to get that “treat.” Now is the time to switch to a shock color.

What Kind of Baits Come In Shock Colors?

Pretty much any soft or hard bait comes in a variety shock colors.  Generally speaking for softbaits, almost all types of worm baits will have various shock colors. Same for flukes, grubs, soft swim baits. I’ve noticed though, when is comes to creature baits like lizards, craws and bugs, these tend to stick to the more natural colors. I’m sure you can find them if you shop hard enough.

Hard baits. Looking at company catalogs like Rapala, Storm, and Strike King for example, just about every lure type and size will have as many shock color variations as the they do natural color choices. Jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, frogs, buzzbaits, chatterbaits…, ALL of these come in a multitude of shock colors.

Tips for Using Fishing Shock Colors Effectively

• Test the Waters: Different water types and conditions can affect how a color appears underwater. A shock color in clear water might look entirely different in murkier waters. So, experiment!
• Mix It Up: Use shock colors in conjunction with natural colors. Maybe a neon green tail on a naturally-colored bait.
• Match the Mood: On some days, fish might be more aggressive and responsive to shock colors. On quieter days, they might prefer natural shades. It’s all about gauging their mood.

Why Do Shock Colors Work?

Some of these are a re-cap, but here goes.

1. Visibility in Various Waters: In murky waters, natural bait colors might blend in, making it hard for fish to spot them. Shock colors, with their high visibility, can become an irresistible target.
2. Curiosity Factor: Fish are curious creatures. A color that stands out might make them think, “What’s that? I need to check it out!” (Well, in a fishy kind of way.)
3. Aggressive or Re-action Strikes: Some species strike out of aggression or territoriality. A bright, intrusive color could invoke such reactions, especially during their spawning season. Or it can be as simple as a school of fish all paying attention to the lure. One will decided to hit it, before the rest and it triggers a frenzy.
4.  Fishing Pressure: When there’s too much bait and all the bait is the same. They just refuse to hit that watermelon or pumpkin worm. Match the hatch is failing you. Now is time to use a shock color.

In Conclusion

Using shock colors in fishing might sound unconventional, but sometimes thinking outside the tackle box is just what you need for a successful fishing trip. So next time you’re gearing up, throw in some shock-colored lures. You might be in for a pleasant surprise!

Tight lines and happy fishing boys and girls!