How do you pick your swimbait colors?

[tysonck]

Preferences based on conditions, general favorites, water clarity? Also, do you think that bass have actual forage preferences and will only eat something that closely resembles that particular preyfish?

Can you give some examples of what you like to throw and when? Spring through winter? At night?

[OntarioBigBait]

Ive always bought baits based off of appeal to me, and definitely pick them out of my trays. That doesn't necessarily mean Im not taking into consideration other factors but thats definitely my first consideration. Up here in Ontario you very rarely run into dirty water so I follow light day light colour/dark day dark colour... Ive found more so with swimbaits then any other style of bait that colour rarely matters, they have such drawing power that sometimes I even go with a completely odd ball colour (think sissy, chartreuse) just to provoke more of an aggressive strike. just my 2c 

[ATFISHING1234]

Personally I think it's more the profile and swimming action vs color. For example, I have several hudds that started out with color and are now void of color. One is a phantom which is now clear and the other is off white plastic color. Both baits continue to produce better now than when they where brand new. I'm sure that certain shades (light vs dark) will produce better at certain times, but for the most part profile and swim action is most important.....That's my .02, I'm sure others will have a different opinion. Btw, this topic has been covered several times on here.

[thedonnguyen]

darker colors for stained water and more natural colors for clearer water

[aikenyounggun]

I'm in the "action is more important" boat. I used to have some concern of color, and still like natural colors innately, but my favorite color is ridiculous and I have caught them on it in 20 foot clarity

 

I would love to know how bass actually see color compared to how we do.

[Lakeshark]

Whichever one I think is prettier.   Action over color.  Natural colors in clear water, and darker colors in stained.

[mcaetano2905]

I'm in the "action is more important" boat. I used to have some concern of color, and still like natural colors innately, but my favorite color is ridiculous and I have caught them on it in 20 foot clarity

 

I would love to know how bass actually see color compared to how we do.

Bass see red/orange and green very good and they almost don't see blue and don't see purple (they also don't see infrared and ultraviolet). Blue and purple are almost as if they are grey. Carp see the colors bass see, but they also see blue, purple and UV.

[danthefisherman]

I go with colors that I have more confidence in which is normally a natural color pattern. I too think that size of your bait is more important.

[basskickinrednick]

I don't know of many chartreuse fish but that color works alot. I don't think they care if there hungry they'll eat it just my 2 cents

[honestabe101]

Colors are mostly for the fisherman....buuuuuut when your deadsticking baits I think they matter(natural prey). Matters fly fishing trout

[bigpoppabass]

Black used to color of choice at night but white works too and is new black. Puzzling to me.

[bassbass]

Lately on this forum, I think they are matching the color of there dress.

[SpaceGhost]

I lick my finger and see which direction the wind is blowing

[BigSlant]

Pink everything...rod...reel..baits..hats everything...

 

Or get something that looks like a bait fish and throw it in the water

[tysonck]

Some of you guys make it sound like its really whatever you feel like that given day. Which begs the question; If you all would pick a color or pattern based on a personal preference, and not a given "Law of fishing", does it matter at all? Does one guy throwing one color have a better chance than another guy throwing a different color? Sounds to me like the bass could really care less in your opinions