Although you can use any lure colour on any chosen day, I’ve selected some colours below to give an idea of where to start depending on water clarity.
I’ve selected just 5 colours for clear water and 5 colours for murky water. There are plenty more colours to choose from, but I’ve selected these as I have experience of using these shades so can relay information on my own experiences.
Fishing for wrasse in clear conditions can be both rewarding and challenging. The transparency of the water lets you spot these fish easily, but it also makes them spooky and wary of movement. Success in clear water hinges on stealth, precise presentation and mimicking natural prey. Lure colour can be critical in these conditions.
WATERMELON: A dark shade of green, often with red or black flake. A superb colour in the Wrasse Sticks or Swim Sticks
BLACK: Wrasse just can’t refuse a black Wrasse Stick or Swim Stick, my go-to colour. It also represents small gobies and blennies in a Paddletail plus crustaceans in a Creature bait.
BROWN: A brilliant colour in the Wrasse Sticks or Swim Sticks, but like black, it also represents small gobies and blennies in a Paddletail plus crustaceans in a creature bait.
KELP: A great colour in Paddletails as the brown shade with black flake mimics small fish such as blenny and goby but is also productive in Wrasse Sticks, Swim Sticks and Creatures.
TRANSPARENT: These lures minimise visibility and maximise stealth in clear water. The clear bodies with black flake offer a very subtle shade. Wrasse Sticks, Swim Sticks and Creatures are very productive in this colour.
In murky water, visibility drops, so wrasse rely more on contrast, vibration and silhouettes. The goal is high-contrast colours that stand out against rock and kelp without blending in plus the glass bead in-between the hook and weight on the Texas rig becomes more critical as it gives an audible sound too.
CHARTREUSE: A bright yellow-green colour that has high visibility in murky water as it cuts through sediment like a beacon. Successful in Wrasse Sticks and Swim Sticks, but also worth trying in Paddletails and Creatures.
ORANGE: This is another colour that stands out in murky water, offering a high contrast silhouette. An orange senko in murky water can bring results when all else fails.
BLACK: Yes, you’ve read this correctly. Black lures stand out in murky water with a strong silhouette. As in clear water, Wrasse Sticks, Swim Sticks, Paddletails and Creatures are all productive.
JUNEBUG: Another lure that has a great silhouette in murky water with the added green flake bringing a little flash. Brilliant in Wrasse Sticks and Swim Sticks but also productive in Creature baits.
RED/OXBLOOD: Red appears as a dark silhouette against a cloudy background, creating strong contrast that fish can detect from further away. Wrasse Sticks, Swim Sticks, Paddletails and Creatures are all effective in this shade.
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