Best Bait Colors for Catfish Fishing (Complete Guide)
Knowing how catfish view colors and which color baits to select, given the conditions, can make a difference in whether you catch fish or get skunked. So what are the best bait colors for catfish fishing.
The best bait colors for catfish depend on fishing conditions. In clear water and sunny conditions, natural colors like ghost, clear, browns, and olives are effective. Under overcast skies or muddy water, bright colors like whites, chartreuses, and reds tend to work better.
In this article, we will break down the best colors for each light, water clarity, and time of day condition you will face when catfish fishing.
Seasonal Breakdown: Bait Colors
Winter
During winter, catfish activity slows down, and their feeding behavior is reduced. Using bait with natural colors such as earthworms, cut bait, and chicken liver can still be effective, and darker colors like black or brown can also work well in low-light conditions. However, it’s essential to present the bait slowly and near the bottom where the catfish may be hunkering down, to conserve energy.
Spring
When targeting catfish in spring, it’s important to use baits that match the natural forage in the area. Earthworms, nightcrawlers, and cut bait in natural colors like brown and green can be effective in murky water. Brighter colors like chartreuse and pink can also work well, especially in clearer water or when fishing with jigs or artificial baits.
Summer
When targeting catfish in summer, natural bait colors like brown, green, and black tend to work well. For example, using live bait like worms or cut bait in these colors can attract catfish. Additionally, some anglers have successfully used bright-colored dip baits or dough baits in the summer months.
Fall
In the fall, catfish tend to feed heavily to prepare for the winter, and dark colors like black, brown, and purple attract them. Try using these colors on bait such as cut bait, live bait, or stink bait to entice the catfish to bite. Fluorescent colors like chartreuse or bright green can also be effective in murky water conditions.
Check out this link here to view my complete catfish fishing gear recommendation list, including rods, reels, baits, gear, etc. I have field tested a lot of catfish gear and these are my recommendations.
Catfish Species: Color Guides
Flathead Catfish
As flathead catfish are primarily carnivorous, live bait such as whole shad and bluegill are highly effective. The natural colors of these live baits, such as their silver or green scales, are often the best choices.
Channel Catfish
Channel catfish are not usually picky about color, but using baits that are natural in color like worms, cut bait, and stink baits can be effective. During low light conditions or muddy water, using bright baits like chartreuse or hot pink can also be effective in attracting channel catfish.
Blue Catfish
Since flathead catfish rely primarily on their sense of smell, the color of the bait is less important than its scent and presentation. However, using natural colors like brown, green, or black for your bait can help it blend in with the surroundings and appear more natural. Whole shad and cut shad in natural colors like silver or green are recommended for catching flathead catfish.
Bullhead
Bullheads are known to be bottom feeders and can be caught using a variety of baits such as worms, nightcrawlers, cut baits, and stinkbaits. Natural colors like brown, black, and green are effective for bullheads in most fishing conditions.
To learn the best barometric pressure for catfish, check out this article.
Water Clarity & Bait Colors
Choosing visible baits that stand out in the water based on its clarity can increase the chances of catching catfish as they rely on their keen sense of sight and smell to locate their prey. In clear water, natural and subtle colors work best while brighter colors are effective in murky water.
Clear Water Catfish Fishing: Color Selection
In clear water conditions, natural colors such as green, brown, and blue are effective for catfish. Recommended baits include live bait such as nightcrawlers, shad, or minnows, and lures such as crankbaits in green or brown colors and jigs in blue or black colors, both in sizes appropriate to the target species.
Muddy Water Catfish Fishing: Color Selection
In muddy water, bright colors tend to work best for catfish fishing. Recommended baits include chicken liver or stink bait in chartreuse or hot pink colors, with sizes ranging from 1/0 to 4/0 hooks depending on the bait used.
Light Conditions & Bait Colors
Bait colors for catfish should be selected based on light conditions as brighter colors work better in low light and darker colors work better in bright light.
Clear, Sunny Catfish Fishing: Color Selection
Bright, sunny day catfish fishing calls for bright and bold colors like chartreuse, yellow, and orange to attract the fish. Recommended baits include chicken liver, worms, and cut bait, in sizes ranging from 1/0 to 5/0 hooks.
Cloudy/Overcast Catfish Fishing: Color Selection
On cloudy and overcast days, catfish tend to respond better to brighter colors like chartreuse, yellow, and pink. Some recommended bait options include punch baits in bright colors or using a worm or minnow under a float in a bright color.
Night Catfish Fishing: Color Selection
For nighttime catfish fishing, darker colors like black, brown, and purple are effective as they create a strong silhouette against the night sky. Bait options include chicken liver, stink bait, and cut bait, with sizes varying based on the target catfish species.
Catfish Behavior & Bait Colors
It’s important to choose visible baits that match the catfish’s activity level. If they’re inactive, try using bright and flashy baits to get their attention, while more subtle, natural-colored baits may be effective when catfish are feeding actively.
Best Colors for Active Feeding Times (early mornings & late afternoons)
The best colors for peak catfish activity windows depend on the time of day. For early morning and late evening, natural colors like browns and greens work well. During midday, bright colors like chartreuse and hot pink can be effective. Recommended baits include chicken liver, worms, and stink baits in various sizes.
Best Colors for Slow Feeding Times (middle of the day & early afternoons)
In less active catfish fishing windows, it’s recommended to use bright colors such as chartreuse, pink, or white to grab their attention. Bait recommendations can include chicken livers, shrimp, or stinkbaits. The size of the bait can vary depending on the size of the catfish in the area.
Natural Colors for Catfish
Natural colors are effective for catfish fishing as they mimic the appearance of prey and blend in with the surroundings. In clear water, natural colors like green pumpkin, brown, and olive can be effective. In muddy water, natural colors like black and dark brown can work well.
Techniques for using natural colors effectively include matching the color of the bait to the color of the water and using natural color patterns on lures, such as speckled or mottled designs. Additionally, using scent attractants can enhance the effectiveness of natural colors by creating a realistic scent trail.
Bright/Bold Colors for Catfish
Bright colors can be highly effective for catfish fishing, especially in muddy or low-light conditions. Chartreuse, orange, and red are popular choices for bright-colored baits.
In clear water and sunny conditions, however, bright colors may not be as effective, and more natural colors like brown, green, and black may be better options. When using bright-colored baits, consider adding scent attractants or using bait with a reflective finish to increase their effectiveness.
UV Colors for Catfish
UV colors can be highly effective for catfish fishing, especially in low-light or murky water conditions. These colors reflect UV light, which catfish can detect even when visibility is poor. Best UV colors for catfish fishing include chartreuse, orange, and pink.
To use UV colors effectively, consider using a black light to charge up your lures before casting, and try using UV-enhanced baits in conjunction with traditional baits to increase your chances of attracting catfish.
For a complete breakdown of the best colors for perch fishing, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best colors for walleye fishing, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best colors for bluegill fishing, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best colors for pike fishing, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best colors for kokanee fishing, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best colors for carp fishing, check out this guide. Click here to see a breakdown of the best weather for catfish.
