Do Pelagic Game Fish See Color?

Do tuna, marlin and wahoo really see color? Discover the science behind lure colors, contrast and vision in big game fishing.

The Science Behind Lure Colors in Big Game Fishing

Few topics in big game fishing create as much discussion as lure color. Red or blue? Natural baitfish patterns or flashy, high-contrast designs?

Many anglers rely on confidence and experience, but to truly understand what works offshore, we must first answer a critical biological question:

Can pelagic game fish such as tuna, wahoo, marlin, mahi-mahi, and barracuda actually see color?

And if they can—which colors matter, and which are essentially invisible underwater?

Can Pelagic Fish See Color Underwater?

The short answer: yes—but only within specific limits.

Pelagic predators possess cone cells in their retinas that allow color perception. However, their visual systems are adapted to open-ocean physics, not to surface-level color charts.

Key underwater light principles:

• Red, orange, and pink wavelengths disappear first (red starts fading by about 15 feet (4.5m))

• Blue and green penetrate deepest in seawater

• Contrast, flash, and movement dominate strike behavior

Understanding these principles explains why certain lure colors consistently outperform others.

Tuna Vision: Built for Blue and Green

Tuna are highly visual predators with large, advanced eyes designed for hunting at speed in open water.

Scientific studies confirm that tuna primarily perceive colors in the blue-green spectrum—the dominant wavelengths in pelagic environments.

What this means for lure color:

• Red and orange are not seen as true colors

• A Red Head Rapala appears as: 

  • a light gray head

  • a white or silver body

This is why lure action, speed, and profile are far more important than surface color when targeting tuna.

Mahi-Mahi Vision: Fast, Aggressive, Visual Hunters

Mahi-mahi (dorado) rely heavily on sight and react aggressively to visual stimuli.

They can detect: 

• blue

• green

• possibly yellow

However, like other pelagic species, they respond far more strongly to:

• shimmer

• erratic movement

• high visibility through reflection

Marlin Vision: Precision at High Speed

Marlin species—especially blue marlin—are apex predators of the epipelagic zone.

They possess:

• excellent vision in bright sunlight

• strong sensitivity in the blue-violet range

• exceptional ability to detect silhouettes from below

Marlin do not chase “colors.” They strike fast-moving prey shapes that stand out against surface light.

Wahoo Vision: Speed Over Color

For wahoo, color is secondary.

Wahoo can exceed 70 km/h (45+ mph), leaving no time for fine color discrimination.

What triggers wahoo strikes:

• extreme speed

• strong contrast

• intense flash

• long, narrow silhouettes

• vibration

Best wahoo lure characteristics:

• High-speed trolling plugs

• Silver, chrome, blue or black finishes

• Bonita or Magnum-style profiles

• Ballyhoo with subtle skirts

Warm colors and matte finishes are consistently less effective.

Shark Vision: Contrast Specialists

Most shark species have:

• extremely limited color vision

• high sensitivity to contrast and movement

They primarily perceive:

• black

• white

• shades of gray

Some species may detect blue or green, but color plays a minor role compared to motion and vibration.

Summary: How Pelagic Game Fish Really See

Species	Color Vision	Primary Visual Triggers
Tuna	Yes	Blue, green, contrast
Mahi-mahi	Yes	Blue, green, flash
Marlin	Yes	Blue, violet, silhouette
Wahoo	Limited	Silver, speed, reflection
Sharks	Very limited	Contrast, motion

The Real Lesson for Big Game Anglers

Color matters—but not in isolation.

In offshore and big game fishing, consistent success depends on:

• lure action

• trolling speed

• contrast and flash

• realistic prey silhouettes

Pelagic predators do not strike because a lure is attractive. They strike because it looks like a fleeing baitfish at the right moment.

Understanding that difference turns theory into confidence—and confidence into results.

Happy hunting.

Published by Curaçao Just Fishing

www.curacaojustfishing.com