Does Headlamp Colour Matter for Night Bass Fishing?
This one always stirs debate — whether or not the colour of your headlamp actually matters when fishing for bass from the shore at night.
I’ve had the conversation plenty of times.
Some say it makes a big difference. Others say it’s a load of nonsense.
But for me, after years of night sessions — the answer is simple:
Yes. It does matter.
My Own Approach
I fish by feel, and I try to stay as stealthy as possible.
I use red light only, and only when I absolutely need it.
Most of the time, I’m not even turning it on.
Instead, I:
Feel lures in the dark
Hold them against the skyline to check the silhouette
Avoid lighting the water unless absolutely necessary
Angle the beam downward if I need to walk on rocks
And when I do switch the light on, I turn away from the water first
Even when I’m releasing a fish, I limit how much of the water I light up. It’s all about minimising disturbance.
When wading, I keep things slow and low:
I feel for rocks and trip hazards with my feet
Push my feet forward rather than lifting them, so I don’t stumble or splash
All with the aim of staying silent and low-profile
What Fish Actually See — Real-World Observations
You’ll hear people say red light doesn’t matter. That it’s invisible to fish. But I’ve seen different.
More than once, I’ve had baitfish scatter and jump clean out of the water the moment a red light beam moves across the surface. Even though red is meant to be low-impact, when it’s focused and sweeping, fish still respond.
So for me, even red light gets handled carefully — no waving it around like a lightsaber.
🔴 Red vs 🟢 Green vs ⚪ White
🔴 Red Light
Doesn’t travel far in water, so it’s the least likely to spook fish
Preserves your night vision well
Doesn’t draw in insects
Perfect for moving around, sorting gear, or checking lures (though some colours and impossible to distinguish)
🟢 Green Light
Brighter than red — better for tying knots or spotting detail
Still better than white for stealth, but not invisible to fish
Some anglers prefer it for its balance of visibility and subtlety
⚪ White Light
Bright, clear — great if you’re tangled or retying in a rush
But it kills night vision and spooks fish
Use it sparingly and always point it away from the water
A Bit of Science (If You Care)
Bass see blue and green better than red.
Red light fades quickly in water, which is why it’s considered the stealthiest option — especially in shallows. But like I’ve said — this doesn’t mean it’s impact-free. Even red light can disturb the surface and trigger a reaction.
There’s actual science backing this up:
A study on largemouth bass showed they can detect and respond to red light under certain conditions — so it’s not completely invisible, just less sensitive than other colours (Mitchem et al., 2019).
In European sea bass, red light at high enough intensity was shown to suppress melatonin — meaning it still registers physiologically, even if it doesn’t travel far (Bayarri et al., 2002).
And a broader review of light at night showed even low levels of artificial light can mess with fish behaviour and stress levels, especially in shallows or clear water (Bassi et al., 2022).
So while red might be your best bet, how you use it still matters.
Controversial Topic
I’ll be honest — not everyone agrees.
Some will say “I always fish with white light and still catch plenty.”
Others will tell you fish don’t spook from light at all.
Fair enough. Everyone has their own style.
But based on what I’ve seen — especially on calm, clear nights — being careful with light helps.
Maybe not every time. But often enough that I’ve made it part of my routine.
Keep It Low, Keep It Quiet
This isn’t just about light colour — it’s about how you move and behave around the water.
Keep your light beam low
Don’t flash it on the water
Avoid sudden movements or sounds
Let your eyes adjust to the dark
Use touch and silhouette as much as possible
These little habits add up — and I genuinely believe they help.
Final Thoughts
Light control isn’t magic. It won’t guarantee a fish. But it’s one of those things that can tip the odds in your favour — especially in tight, shallow marks or when the fish are wary.
So yeah, headlamp colour matters.
Not to everyone, maybe. But to me, it’s one more part of the approach that shows respect for the fish, the session, and the mark itself.
Tight lines out there.