It's a fact that the majority of anglers turn to imitative lure colors, as close to the real thing as possible. Blue or khaki lures are popular, while certain colors are shunned. Black and, more generally, dark colors are among the latter, unjustly sidelined. However, they offer many advantages and, under certain conditions, can break the deadlock when faced with difficult fish.
The advantages of black
Underwater, light comes mainly from the surface, creating a backlighting effect. This means that for an object to stand out clearly, it must be placed in front of the light source. The darker the object, the sharper and more defined its silhouette.
Applying this principle to fishing, we understand why a black lure can be more visible than a clear lure, even in poorly lit or murky water, or on a sunny day.
When to use dark-coloured lures?
On the basis of the above principle, we can deduce that a fish can spot a black lure from a very long way off compared to a so-called natural color.
In low-light conditions or when the water is heavy, the darker colors make them more visible to predators. Don't hesitate to put it in the water in these conditions.
In estuaries, or when the waters are choppy, they'll give you the edge you need.
Contrary to popular belief, they are very effective at night. At night, there's always ambient light despite the apparent darkness. This is enough to make them visible to predators.
Combined with a slow animation, dark lures with wide paddles will attract fish. Night bass anglers are particularly fond of them.
Finally, I like to use it when the fish are not very active. Whether I use it with a soft lure or on the surface like the Fiiish Biotop, I get good results.
A few more tips
Black, and darker colors in general, are excellent complements to the other shades. These colors are particularly effective in murky waters or low light conditions, where they offer optimum contrast to attract predators. Combined with a lure featuring a large paddle, these colors can stimulate even the most recalcitrant predators by generating perceptible vibrations and playing on their territorial or feeding instincts.
More and more brands are including black in their range of lures, due to its proven effectiveness. For example, Fiiish's Biotop Stick, made from biodegradable bioplastic, is an excellent choice. This hard, silent lure with a discreet acoustic signature performs particularly well in calm conditions or with a slight chop. It can be reeled in walking the dog or linear fast.
Black is no guarantee of success, but it offers a significant advantage in certain conditions, making it a wise choice for anglers.
