Plastic worms are some of the most versatile and useful fishing lures for bass fishing. Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, a plastic worm such as a Senko is a great choice to catch fish. Because of their immense popularity, plastic worms come in hundreds of colors, and it can be tough to figure out just which ones you need for certain conditions. If you wondered which color worms are best for bass fishing, this article is for you.
Does Worm Color Matter for Bass?
While you will occasionally have one of those blessed days where the fish hit anything, most of the time they’re going to be more selective. Choosing the right colored plastic worm can make a big difference in putting some bass in the boat or going home empty handed.
While most plastic worms come in dozens of color combos, you don’t need to overly complicate things most of the time. As with all lures, what you really want to do is make sure that your worm can be seen by bass in the given conditions, and color is going to play a big role in that. For example, worm color is going to matter quite a bit if it means the fish can actually see the target. Just as with spinnerbaits, darker colors like red and black are doing to do well on overcast days or darker water. Bright colors like chartreuse or white (or at least a worm tipped with such) will be good choices in stained water. In clearer water, something that reasonably matches the hatch, such as green pumpkin is probably going to be your best bet.
Do Bass Have a Favorite Color
As you might imagine, there have been a few different studies regarding largemouth bass and if they have a favorite color. One 1937 study found that bass could very easily distinguish the color red, “Red appears to be the outstanding color, as such, in the responses of the bass. This color is easily and readily selected from everything else, with the exception of violet” (source). Another study in 2019 confirmed this, essentially reaching the conclusion that bass are most likely to see red and green (source). This isn’t to say that they can’t see other colors, but that they’ll have difficult distinguishing between them. Accordingly, the giant array of colors in most tackle shops is more likely to catch fishermen than fish!
What’s the Best Plastic Worm Color for Bass Fishing?
If you ask certain anglers they will tell you that the color of your worms is a crucial factor in if a bass bites or not. I’m not all that convinced. While I do think there’s something to be said about the difference dramatic color variations can make (example, red vs. white), I really don’t think the variation of say two shades of red is going to matter. Your best best when choosing a plastic worm color for bass fishing is to keep things simple. There’s no need to have dozens of colors on your boat. Instead, approach it based on what situations you plan on encountering. Here are four plastic worm colors that work great for bass fishing in different situations.
Black/Purple/June Bug/Grape
Darker colored plastic worms such as black, purple, june bug and grape have been mainstays as long as plastic worms have been used for bass fishing. These are great in dark or stained water and on overcast days because they are more visible in such conditions than lighter colored lures. In addition to reds, bass do distinguish violet quite well per the studies cited above, so anything with a black or purple hue is going to work well.
Many anglers like using purple or black worms with a tail that’s tipped either bright chartreuse or red. This little color variation seems to help bass hone in on their target and can occasionally produce more strikes. For example, these Berkley PowerBait Power Worms that have a black body and bright chartreuse tail are phenomenal producers on southern Lake Champlain. They stand out very well in the generally stained water that you’re going to find south of the Crown Point bridge.
Green Pumpkin/Watermelon
Plastic worms on the green/brown spectrum also work very well for bass in a variety of conditions. Green pumpkin is dark enough that it shows up well enough in stained water but also looks realistic enough that it makes sense in clear water too. You’ll find most of these come with different colored flakes. As you’ll see below, I don’t know that it really matters too much what you go with. Bear in mind that bass see reds and violets well so anything with that sort of hue is going to do well.
Chartreuse/White/Anything Bright
The third solid color variation when choosing a plastic worm for bass is choosing something bright. After all, you wouldn’t think twice about using a chartreuse or white fluke, or other soft plastic, so why not use it for a worm too? These colors are going to work well in stained water conditions as well as clear conditions assuming it isn’t too gaudy.
Do the Tiny Little Flakes Really Matter?
So you have probably noticed that many bass worms that are “green pumpkin” come with different flakes. There’s watermelon flakes, red flakes, black flakes, purple flakes. You name it. The question is if any of the tiny variations really matter. My best guess? Probably not. Let’s look at it this way – if a fish is really going to see the miniscule flakes and distinguish them from the base color (a tall order, per the research cited above), how are they going to notice that and not the hook, or sinker, or fishing line? Honestly, the fact that these flakes reflect is probably all you really need. Thinking that one color or another is going to make the huge difference that day? Likely placebo.
Do Bright Colored Worms Attract Bass?
So there’s two types of bass, OK? Those that have seen what you’re tossing before and know it’s a lure, and those that can still be fooled. While a bright colored lure like white, chartreuse, or even bubblegum pink might look awfully unnatural, they do catch fish. I’m just not so certain they’re going to catch the same fish as often throughout their lives as something that fits in better.
Having said that, bass attack lures for a number of reasons. The first is hunger. Another is anger (trying to kill the lure). The third is curiosity. How many years have we seen scientists explain on “Shark Week” that most shark attacks on humans are borne out of curiosity as the fish don’t have hands to figure out what things are – only their mouths. Well, a bass that hasn’t seen the bright colored worm you’re throwing might just be biting it to figure things out.
What is the Best Color Wacky Worm?
What about the ubiquitous wacky worm? Is there a best color for these? Honestly these might be the worms where you get the best bang for your buck by tossing an unusual color. Wacky worms just have so much going for them as I discussed in this post. They’re so unique and have a wonderful action on the fall that seems to perplex, entice, and annoy bass all in one. If you throw in a little wackier color to boot, you can really get them interested. Because of this I’m not afraid to throw a pink senko now and then when nothing else is working. You never know!
Conclusions: Most Worm Colors are for Show & Sales
Given the scientific research into just how well bass can differentiate color (read: not that well at all), you don’t need to mortgage your home to buy every color plastic worm out there. Stick with a few tried and true color variations. Have some darker plastic worms for overcast days or dingy water. Keep a good staple of green pumpkin or watermelon worms for every day use. Perhaps toss a few crazy bright colors in as well when you’re just looking to catch fish who are curious and taking a shot at seeing what this interesting object is exactly.
As with many lures, much of the perceived difference from using slight color variations is going to be placebo effect. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The power of positive thinking translates to fishing so to the extent you believe you’re going to catch a fish, you just might. If you find a particular color you have confidence in, load up the boat!
Thanks,
John Paxton
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