Best Lure Colors for Pike in Murky Water – A Practical Angler’s Guide

Why does lure color matter for pike?

Pike are predators that hunt mainly with their sight. In murky water, visibility decreases, which is why a well-chosen pike lure must stand out – with color, contrast, and action. This is especially important for hard baits and jerkbaits, which are often retrieved aggressively to trigger a strike.

Which lure colors work in murky water?

Based on the analysis of foreign sources and fishing practice, several proven colors can be highlighted:

  • Orange and red fluo – highly visible in murky water, provoke pike to attack aggressively.

  • White – excellent contrast against a dark background; works well with jerkbaits and crankbaits.

  • Gold and silver – metallic shine that adds an extra light signal, especially effective with hard baits that have a wide action.

  • Fire Tiger – the classic combination of green, yellow, orange, and black stripes, a pattern that often saves the day on the water.

  • Black – when the water is very muddy or when fishing at dawn and dusk, a black jerkbait provides a strong silhouette against the water.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Gaspar Tail Bait – Snow White

Price range: 21,60 € through 36,00 €
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Gaspar Tail Bait – Silver Holo

Price range: 21,60 € through 36,00 €
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Champion Gold Zander

Price range: 28,80 € through 43,20 €
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Venom – Fluo Yellow

Price range: 28,80 € through 52,80 €
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Venom – Carrot UV

Price range: 28,80 € through 52,80 €
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Venom – Dirty Roach

Price range: 28,80 € through 52,80 €
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Venom – Buster

Price range: 28,80 € through 52,80 €

    Hard bait or soft plastic? What to choose in murky water

    Many anglers use soft plastics, but in murky water a hard bait – especially a jerkbait – has several advantages:

    1. Strong side-to-side action – significantly increases visibility.

    2. Stop & go retrieve – pausing the lure allows pike to lock onto the target.

    3. Additional elements – rattles, flashing foils, and light-reflecting effects.

    That’s why it’s worth having at least a few hard jerkbaits in your tackle box, such as Venom Carrot UV, Venom Golden Zander, Gaspar Tail Bait Silver Holo.

    How to retrieve a jerkbait in murky water?

    • Slow twitches – give the fish time to strike.

    • Aggressive jerks – make the lure flash and create strong vibrations.

    • Pauses in retrieve – pike often strike when the hard bait stops and begins to slowly sink.

    Summary

    The best lure colors for pike in murky water are primarily fluo orange, fluo red, white, gold, and the classic Fire Tiger. Particularly effective are hard baits like jerkbaits, which, thanks to their action and strong silhouette, increase your chances of success.

    If you fish in murky water, always keep jerkbaits in vivid colors in your box – it’s the simplest way to boost effectiveness and trigger strikes even from sluggish pike.