When selecting a lure anglers will go to extreme means for just the right color.  You stand in the store holding the lure up, peeking into the package and holding it under the light.  Hmmm, not quite the right color or enough silver flake and you keep searching.  Apparently bass have a highly developed ability to tell colors.  Bass lures come in numerous color patterns.  In fact preferred lure colors are normally incredibly regional or select to which body of water you are fishing.  Take for example Ozark Smoke which has a blue stripe, silver flakes, and translucent body.  This is perfect for the ultra clear reservoirs like Beaver Lake or Lake SWEPCO.  Another example is Rayburn Red lipless crankbaits which catch enormous black bass on Lake Sam Rayburn in Texas.

For some reason very few articles are written about a bass’s underwater vision.  Probably because our knowledge is limited on the subject and some information is so technical only a select group would understand it.  After searching for information on the subject, I found a book titled What Fish See: Understanding Optics and Color Shifts for Designing Lures and Flies by Colin Kageyama, O.D., F.C.O.V.D. (For more information on this book see www.amatobooks.com).  Kageyama is an optometrist who studied the eyesight of fish.  In his book he covers:  his personal search, scientist at work, fishermen trying to use the science, underwater visibility, other scents, fishing for all different species of fish, seven underwater fishing myths, and other various topics.
 
One interesting fact which is uncovered is lures change colors underwater.  What color they change to is directly related to depth, but also water turbidity, sun, shade, wave action, foam, bubbles, and other variables.  These color shifts once understood will benefit an angler selecting which color lure to use.  An example is non-fluorescent blues and violets can be seen in deep water, but take on shades of dark purple.  According to a chart published in the book by Ron Kovac, Bass Fishing in California, Kovac suggest using Smoke, Blue, Pearl, Red, and Purple in clear water.  Chartreuse, Black, Orange, Cinnamon/Fluorescent fire tails colored lures in stained water.  Chartreuse, Black, Orange, Orange/Fluorescent Fire tails colored lures in muddy water.  Along with metal flakes lures on bright days and darker patterns in early mornings.
 
Lure color is extremely important in bass fishing, but not the only factor to take in consideration.  Vibration, scent, shape, movement, and prevalent local forage are also important to deciding what bass will strike.  It is interesting to find out bass can see black lures against the night sky.  Also, bass can detect fishing line and line colors down to four pound test.  This goes along with my theory bass become educated and relate being caught to certain conditions.  I do not believe bass know what a hook or fishing line is.  If bass did they would never be caught?  Bass probably just relate hooks and fishing line to being caught.  These objects are than rejected or avoided if it happens enough. 
 
Anglers fishing for different species of fish will find What Fish See: Understanding Optics and Color Shifts for Designing Lures and Flies a fascinating and educational book.  It will make you approach your fishing outing with a problem-solving attitude.  In fishing, anglers are given conditions in which they must solve to catch fish.  I would probably be a better angler if I listen to what my mom always says, “Open your eyes, it is right in front of you!”