Color theory is a fascinating and crucial aspect of lure design. Let's dive into how color theory applies to fishing lures:

1. Basic Color Wheel:

   • Primary colors: Red, blue, yellow

   • Secondary colors: Green, orange, purple

   • Tertiary colors: Mixtures of primary and secondary colors

2. Color Relationships:

   • Complementary colors: Opposite on the color wheel (e.g., blue and orange)

   • These create high contrast and visibility

   • Analogous colors: Adjacent on the color wheel (e.g., blue, blue-green, green)

   • These create natural-looking gradients

3. Warm vs. Cool Colors:

   • Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) are often associated with active, aggressive lures

   • Cool colors (blue, green, purple) can mimic natural prey or work well in clear water

4. Color Visibility Underwater:

   • Red light disappears first as depth increases, followed by orange, yellow, green, and blue

   • This affects how lure colors appear at different depths

5. Contrast and Silhouette:

   • High contrast between dark and light areas can create a strong silhouette

   • This is especially important in murky water or low light conditions

6. Color Brightness and Saturation:

   • Bright, saturated colors can trigger reaction strikes

   • Muted, natural colors often work better in clear water or for pressured fish

7. Fluorescent and UV Colors:

   • These colors absorb UV light and re-emit it, appearing to "glow"

   • They can increase visibility, especially in low light or deep water

8. Metallic and Pearl Finishes:

   • These mimic the reflective qualities of fish scales

   • They can create attractive flashes that trigger strikes

9. Color Psychology:

   • Some anglers believe certain colors trigger different behaviors in fish

   • For example, red might provoke aggression, while green could appear natural and non-threatening

10. Adapting to Conditions:

    • Bright days: Use more subtle, natural colors

    • Overcast days: Opt for brighter, more visible colors

    • Clear water: Natural, translucent colors often work best

    • Stained water: Brighter, more opaque colors can increase visibility

Remember, while color theory provides a good starting point, fish behavior can be unpredictable. It's always worth experimenting with different color combinations to see what works best in your specific fishing conditions.