Mustard Crankbaits: The Underrated Color That Gets Bit When Chartreuse Is a Bit Too Bright

Gear

Apr 20

Upside down Heinz squeeze mustard bottle

There are all sorts of yellows and mustards that make great crankbait patterns, but one of the stalwarts is “mustard.” Sitting somewhere between chartreuse and natural shad, mustard patterns quietly imitate washed-out perch, molting crawfish, and sun-faded baitfish that bass see every day. When flashy colors start getting ignored, mustard keeps getting crushed.

If you’re fishing high-pressure lakes, post-front conditions, or water that’s just starting to clear after a storm, mustard crankbaits can be absolute money. They show up without looking fake — especially around rock, riprap, and shallow wood where bass are hunting stressed crawfish and pale panfish.

Below are some of the best mustard-pattern diving plugs for any hard core crankers’s rotation. If you’ve never tried this color, start with a couple of these — they’ve saved more than a few tough days for me.