Fishing for Bass in Muddy Water
Catching Largemouth Bass when the Water is Murky or Stained
Jun 17, 2009
Largemouth bass often live in areas where the water is constantly murky. In the Southeastern USA, and through the US Gulf states, these fish thrive in swamps and marshes, where water visibility is generally low. Throughout the rest of the United States, after steady rains, the lakes, ponds, and slow rivers that hold largemouth are likely to stain and become muddy. In the summer, the water is off color a good portion of the time. But fishermen must not be discouraged, because in murky waters, not only are bass still available, but they are more audacious feeders, because they know that predators (such as ospreys) are less likely to see them in stained water.
Fishing For Bass in Muddy Water: Using Bright Colored Baits
The first and most fundamental requirement when fishing for bass in muddy water is making sure that fish are able to locate the lure or bait being used. Although they have sensitive lateral lines (which serve as the ears on fish), appealing to the fish's vision is still the most important requirement for success in waters that are muddy. This is the time to use bright colors, and shiny baits that would otherwise startle bass. All white baits, as well as hot pink, chartreuse, and gold colored baits are fine colors to use in water that is stained. Although they work wonders in clear water, natural colored baits in shades of brown, gray, olive, tan, and black are much harder for fish to see in water that is off color. Flukes and plastic worms are great in white and bubblegum colors when the water is muddy.
Fishing with Loud Lures
In water that has extremely low visibility, helping the fish to hear the bait may be a requirement for success. In late spring, summer, and early fall, when bass are active and aggressive, a white, chartreuse, or yellow buzz bait (a spinnerbait with a propeller instead of a blade, which splashes and displaces water) attracts the attention of any bass in the area. Although many anglers generally fish buzz baits on the surface, they also work well when fished a few feet below it (which is done by allowing the lure to sink for a few seconds before retrieving it, and then reeling it at a steady, slow pace), because, although people cannot hear it, the lure moves water underwater, causing vibrations that bass pick up. When fishing in deeper murky water (of at least six feet), a rattletrap lure, or a rattling jig are perhaps the best baits to use. In shallow water, poppers may also work for bass when they cannot see bait as well, and have to rely on the commotion caused by their prey to locate it.
Fishing around Structure in Muddy Water
Another thing that fishermen should recognize when fishing for bass in muddy water is that the fish cling to any available structure. A log by the shore, a downed tree lying in the water, a rock ledge in the water, or any other structures attract bass, particularly when the water is stained. The bass wait behind rocks, or under logs for baitfish to swim by, and then dart out and engulf them. Slowly reeling a buzz bait, or gently twitching and retrieving a brightly colored fluke are some of the best ways to entice bass to dart out from their cover to grab lures.
Although sight fishing (casting to fish that the angler sees) is generally out of the question in stained water, fishing for bass does not have to be postponed. Just try bright colors, loud lures, and fishing around cover, and bass are likely to strike. Bass fishing in muddy water can be very productive when the right steps are taken.
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