Best Color Lures for Fall Bass Fishing: A Pro's Guide to "Matching the Hatch"

In the fall, when bass are on a feeding frenzy, getting the right lure profile and size is only half the battle. The other half—the part that often separates a good day from a great one—is color.

I've spent years on the water watching anglers throw the "hot" lure of the week with little success, simply because their color choice didn't match the conditions. Selecting the right color isn't magic; it’s a simple, logical process.

This guide at riversiderelics.com is my personal approach to demystifying color selection. I'm not just going to give you a list of colors; I’m going to break down the "why" and "when" behind each choice. After reading this, you’ll have the confidence to look at the conditions and know exactly which color to tie on to find the best color lures for fall bass fishing.

The Science of Color Selection: Natural Presentation vs. Reaction Strike

Before we get into specific patterns, it's crucial to understand the two core philosophies of color selection. Every lure color in my boat falls into one of these two categories.

Natural Colors

These are the colors designed to perfectly imitate the actual forage in the lake-think greens, browns, silvers, and grays. I use natural colors a majority of the time, especially in clear water or on sunny days.

Reaction Colors

These are the loud, obnoxious colors that don't look like anything in nature—think bright chartreuse, hot orange, and firetiger. Their purpose isn't to trick a fish, but to trigger an aggressive, instinctual reaction strike, a key component of many fall bass fishing techniques.

"Match the Hatch" - The #1 Rule of Fall Color Selection

In the fall, bass are keyed in on a few primary food sources. If you can accurately imitate what they are already eating, you've won 90% of the battle. This is the foundation of a successful day of fall bass fishing.

Imitating Shad

Shad are the primary food source in most reservoirs during the fall. Their silver flash is what drives bass crazy.

• Go-To Color Names: Sexy Shad, Tennessee Shad, Pearl White, and Ghost Minnow.

• Best Lure Types for These Colors: Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, and soft plastic Swimbaits.

• Pro-Tip: On sunny days, I lean towards colors with metallic flake. On cloudy days, a solid, opaque color like Pearl White creates a better silhouette.

Imitating Crawfish

As the water cools, especially in late fall, a bass's metabolism slows down. A protein-rich crawfish is an easy, slow-moving meal.

• Go-To Color Names: Green Pumpkin Orange, Brown/Orange, and Black/Blue.

• Best Lure Types for These Colors: Jigs, Texas-rigged creature baits, and deep-diving crankbaits.

• Pro-Tip: Crawfish often show more orange and red hues in the fall. I always have jigs and soft plastics with a splash of orange or red. Knowing how to fish a jig in the fall with these specific colors can be incredibly effective.

Imitating Bluegill/Sunfish

When fishing around docks and remaining vegetation, bass are often targeting bluegill. This is especially true when trying to figure out where to find bass in autumn as they hold tight to cover.

• Go-To Color Names: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, and patterns with hints of blue, purple, and orange flake.

• Best Lure Types for These Colors: Swim Jigs, Chatterbaits, and shallow-running crankbaits.

• Pro-Tip: Bluegill colors are my secret weapon when fishing around boat docks.

Adapting to Conditions: The Environmental Factors

Matching the hatch is your starting point. Now, you need to fine-tune your color choice based on the environment to avoid common fall bass fishing mistakes.

Water Clarity is King

• Clear Water (5+ feet of visibility): Use subtle, natural, and often translucent colors.

• Stained Water (2-4 feet of visibility): You need a color that stands out a bit more.

• Muddy Water (Less than 1 foot of visibility): Go for maximum contrast. This is often the case right after the fall lake turnover when the water is murky.

Sky Conditions: Sunny vs. Cloudy Days

• Sunny Days: I love using lures with metallic flake (silver, gold, blue).

• Cloudy Days: I switch to solid, opaque colors.

The Seasonal Factor: Early Fall vs. Late Fall Colors

Don't assume the same colors work all season long. The patterns for early fall bass fishing can be quite different from those needed later in the season.

• Early Fall Colors: This is prime time for bright, flashy shad patterns. Whites, silvers, and chromes are dominant.

• Late Fall Colors: As the water gets cold, crawfish become a more important food source. This is when I shift my focus to jigs and soft plastics in natural Green Pumpkin, Brown, and Red hues, which are some of the best bass lures for late fall.

Pro-Tip: Don't Be Afraid to Customize

Sometimes the perfect color isn't available right out of the package. I often use lure dyes and markers to make small adjustments. I'll add a splash of chartreuse to the tail of a swimbait, or a hint of orange to the belly of a jig. A small change can make a big difference.

Fall Color "Cheat Sheet" for Your Tackle Box

To make it easy, here is a quick reference table I use. This is my summary of the best fall bass fishing lures based purely on color selection.