A fishing writer who once shared a boat with Bill Dance below Pickwick Dam found lure color far less important than presentation. Dance caught eleven sauger, a large smallmouth and a big flathead on a dark green jig while the writer took only two small perch on an identical yellow jig; both added live minnows. The writer credits Dance’s skill at dropping and working the jig in flowing water.

Tackle makers now offer many extra colors and patterns on lures that keep the same size, shape and action. Color can help a bass see a bait in stained water or match local forage in clear water, yet a fresh paint job does not change how a crankbait dives or a plastic worm moves.