Best Lure Color for Halibut Fishing: Should You Switch Colors?

You probably know of a handful of anglers who seem to always catch. Summer, spring, fall, winter, it doesn’t matter, they catch. When they post a catch, a natural first question is, “What lure color?”

Do halibut prefer a certain color? If so, what’s the best lure color for halibut fishing?

There’s a lot that goes into catching fish – much more than the color or type of lure being used. But, using the right lure is a very important factor.

In this article, we’ll be honing in on the topic of lure colors. Specifically, we’ll be talking about which is the best lure color for halibut fishing and why. Additionally, we’ll talk about the popular debate: “Should You Change Lure Colors While Fishing?”

The Best Lure Color For Halibut Fishing

To get straight to the point, if I could choose only one color to take with me halibut fishing, I would choose white. I believe white is the best lure color for halibut fishing.

Do I own and use other colors? Ha! Yes, of course! Every day is different, and while I believe white yields the most consistent success, somedays, it doesn’t get touched when other lure colors do.

Why Is White The Best Lure Color For Halibut?

One my favorite aspects of surf fishing is the mysteriousness – the infinite unknowns. We never truly know why certain tactics work when others fail and vice versa, but as anglers we are experts at “guessing and checking”… and being patient. So that’s what we must do.

No angler becomes great without trying things that don’t work and learning that for themselves. Real life experiences become data that builds over time to become a library of information that forms an angler’s skills, and more importantly, forms their confidence in successful tactics, decisions, and tendencies.

In my case, that has led me to believe that white is the best lure color for halibut fishing. It’s simply the color that’s worked the best.

My Theory

But, my theory (all great fishermen have theories) is that since the undersides of most fish are white, that’s the color they’re most used to hunting down.

Halibut aren’t bottom feeders, but they prey from below on what is above. Looking up, it would make sense that they usually see the white underside of their prey as they await and ambush.

Should You Change Colors While Fishing for Halibut?

This is one I’ve learned from others. I’ve always lacked in this skill (or “willingness”, if you will). Of all the anglers I’ve fished with, the best ones aren’t hesitant to change their lure color when the bite slows.

Again, like all things in fishing, I don’t know if there’s a clear right answer to this question. All I know is that those who have most success will change their lure color or even lure type if the fish aren’t biting.

It’s more of a gut feel than an understanding of why. Maybe the fish get used to seeing the same color and want something new. Maybe they’re a little sluggish and something new or brighter, or even tougher to see will catch their attention and trigger a reaction strike.

Who knows? Again, you’ve got to love the mysteriousness and embrace the unknowns if you’re going to take surf fishing seriously.

Switch It Up… But Not Toom Much

We really don’t know, but it works for many anglers. My advice would be to try changing presentations, lure colors, rigs, and lure types if you aren’t getting bit. But, give each a solid shot and work the zone well before switching.

Some of the most successful anglers I know will switch not only lure colors, but they’ll switch from running a Texas rig (rigged weedless) to a dropshot fluke. Sometimes a different presentation is all you need.

Switching from a jerkbait to swimbait and vice versa is even a solid idea. If your curious about which lures I like to use for halibut fishing, check out this article on the best lures for halibut fishing. Some other articles you might be interested can be found below in the linked images.