Fishing Crystal Clear Water? 2024
Largies4Life reply :
One of my favorite lakes to fish on growing up was at my grandparents on a small, private lake which is spring fed. The water is always very clear and you can see anywhere from 20-30 feet down. It's shaped like a circle, so there's no bays or points of any sort. We have had plenty of success using plastic worms and this past year, I was very successful with a swim jig. There are no crayfish, no rocks, (sandy bottoms throughout the whole lake) but a good amount of weeds on drop offs and in the shallows. As spring is approaching, I am getting ready to head back up there, but was curious if anyone has any go-to baits for crystal clear water like I've mentioned? I'm pretty picky on what I throw there since my confident lies in the wacky rig worm and a swim jig. Topwater works on occasion too, but moreso in the middle of the summer. I'm looking to expand my arsenal and have the chance at that trophy lurking down in the depths..
Dens228 reply :
Crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 1:17 AM, Dens228 said:Crankbaits and jerkbaits.
I'd love to get into crankbait and jerkbait fishing, but have absolutely no confidence in them. What crankbaits and jerkbaits do you like to use in this scenario?
Smokinal reply :
Spybait
Dens228 reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 1:26 AM, Largies4Life said:I'd love to get into crankbait and jerkbait fishing, but have absolutely no confidence in them. What crankbaits and jerkbaits do you like to use in this scenario?
Jerkbaits I use the model that suspends at the depths I want to target. I also tend to stay with natural or metallic colors. I use them when fish are not chasing all over after baitfish. Like in colder water. Jerkbaits allow you to present the lure to the bass for a longer time rather than just crank them right by. Plus if you stop the retrieve they don't float back up......at least the suspending type I tend to use.
Crankbaits are nothing but fun........There's a particular quarry I fish that is as clear as you describe. There are fingers of land that jut out into the water and submerge but still exist under water........the channels are anywhere from 30 to 90 feet wide. I'll sit at the mouth of the channel and fan cast across the a couple times with a shallow squarebill, if I don't get anything I tie on a deeper diving crankbait, and do it a again, I keep working deeper until I starting getting bit..........At his place shad and bluegill colors work.........
You just have to work different depths, colors, and retrieves until you find what the fish want.
BigAngus752 reply :
@Dens228 gives you good advice. If you want to simplify the crankbait idea just get some natural-colored lipless cranks. You can fish them at any depth and when you can see so far down there's no guesswork. I'm assuming the fish are holding in the weeds/grass and with water that clear it's ideal for running a lipless right above the very tips of the weeds. Let it tick the tops of the vegetation like a bait fish swimming through the weeds. If you get hung just rip it through (which might get you bit) and then slow it down again. It's really cool to be quietly watching that lipless as you reel it along and then see a LM fly out of the weeds and hit it like a freight train. Gives me a jolt every time. My #1 producer in 2018 was a shad-colored lipless crank. There just isn't a wrong way to fish it.
Fishin' Fool reply :
Senkos, drop shots and flukes.
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 4:00 AM, BigAngus752 said:@Dens228 gives you good advice. If you want to simplify the crankbait idea just get some natural-colored lipless cranks. You can fish them at any depth and when you can see so far down there's no guesswork. I'm assuming the fish are holding in the weeds/grass and with water that clear it's ideal for running a lipless right above the very tips of the weeds. Let it tick the tops of the vegetation like a bait fish swimming through the weeds. If you get hung just rip it through (which might get you bit) and then slow it down again. It's really cool to be quietly watching that lipless as you reel it along and then see a LM fly out of the weeds and hit it like a freight train. Gives me a jolt every time. My #1 producer in 2018 was a shad-colored lipless crank. There just isn't a wrong way to fish it.
I have lipless cranks on my list for my before-season purchase. I can't say I've ever thrown a lipless crank or jerkbait and really knew what I was doing. I can't say I even have any lipless cranks left. I hear a lot of people speaking of the Rat-L-Trap and the Red Eye Shad, what do you prefer? Any suggestions on jerkbaits? I see a lot of members speaking about the Vision 110's. Might have to grab a few for early spring!
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 5:02 AM, Largies4Life said:I have lipless cranks on my list for my before-season purchase. I can't say I've ever thrown a lipless crank or jerkbait and really knew what I was doing. I can't say I even have any lipless cranks left. I hear a lot of people speaking of the Rat-L-Trap and the Red Eye Shad, what do you prefer? Any suggestions on jerkbaits? I see a lot of members speaking about the Vision 110's. Might have to grab a few for early spring!
Before you spend $25 on a Megabass jerkbait go get yourself a package of Zoom Super Flukes in white pearl and a pack of 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG hooks. Twitch, twitch, pause and watch how it looks in the water. You can even throw them over the weeds you mention because you bring the hook back into the bait so its pretty weedless.
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 5:15 AM, Fishin' Fool said:Before you spend $25 on a Megabass jerkbait go get yourself a package of Zoom Super Flukes in white pearl and a pack of 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG hooks. Twitch, twitch, pause and watch how it looks in the water. You can even throw them over the weeds you mention because you bring the hook back into the bait so its pretty weedless.
Can't say I've ever used flukes before, but when I was using a paddle tail swimbait (fat keitechs) on the back of my swim jigs, I was catching a bass on nearly every cast it felt like last year, but when I used a craw or creature plastic....not a single bite. Do flukes suspend pretty easily? Weightless? I'll throw the flukes and hooks on my list as well. 
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 5:19 AM, Largies4Life said:Can't say I've ever used flukes before, but when I was using a paddle tail swimbait (fat keitechs) on the back of my swim jigs, I was catching a bass on nearly every cast it felt like last year, but when I used a craw or creature plastic....not a single bite. Do flukes suspend pretty easily? Weightless? I'll throw the flukes and hooks on my list as well.
Yes they slowly sink based on the weight of the hook. I'm sure they have videos of Youtube of how they work. Flukes are simple to fish.
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 5:24 AM, Fishin' Fool said:Yes they slowly sink based on the weight of the hook. I'm sure they have videos of Youtube of how they work. Flukes are simple to fish.
I'll make sure to check out some videos prior to the season opener. I'm getting to the point where I feel like the bass are sick and tired of seeing my go-to baits year in and year out. I have high hopes for the lipless cranks and flukes though. They both go along with the way I fish the lake, so I'm sure these will get bit no problem!
stratoliner92 reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 4:06 AM, Fishin' Fool said:Senkos, drop shots and flukes.
Drop Shot and fluke for me also.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 5:02 AM, Largies4Life said:I have lipless cranks on my list for my before-season purchase. I can't say I've ever thrown a lipless crank or jerkbait and really knew what I was doing. I can't say I even have any lipless cranks left. I hear a lot of people speaking of the Rat-L-Trap and the Red Eye Shad, what do you prefer? Any suggestions on jerkbaits? I see a lot of members speaking about the Vision 110's. Might have to grab a few for early spring!
I use both Rat-L-Traps and Red Eye Shad cranks and both are excellent. Honestly, if you are just trying out lipless to see if you like them you should find some Cotton Cordell lipless crankbaits. Many times you can find them at Walmart for about $2 each. They are light and sink slowly compared to the Red Eye Shad but they are very inexpensive and that encourages me to throw them into places that I'm likely to not get them back. And that catches fish.
I've never tried a Megabass jerk but they sure do get good reviews. I use Rapala and Strike King jerks and have good luck. I think @Fishin' Fool had a great suggestion with the flukes. Get some weighted swimbait hooks and some flukes and paddle tails. I love paddle tails by themselves or as trailers on spinnerbaits and bladed jigs.
We are opposite ends of the spectrum. I fish a lot of T-rigs and Carolina Rigs but I've never caught a fish on wacky rig and I have little experience with jigs. This year I am devoting every outing to jigs and plastics. I'm putting the cranks away...if I can stand to do so!
aceman387 reply :
Drop shot!
papajoe222 reply :
Crystal clear water intimidates many anglers and, for the most part, it's unjustified. Bass are predominately sight feeders and clear water is advantageous to them. Success, from an angler standpoint, is your ability to play to that, just as you would to murky water when they rely on their other senses in combination with sight.
There is no need to draw attention to your bait with 'loud' colors or noise unless you are fishing heavy cover when their line of sight is reduced significantly. Reducing the size of your presentations is advantageous, as is 'matching the hatch'
with color selection. With fast moving presentations, the speed of your retrieve and the length of any pauses you impart become more critical. Generally, faster retrieves with fewer, short, pauses is the way to go. The longer a bass has to inspect your presentation, the lower the odds that it will commit to striking it. Faster, of course, is relative to water temp.
Lipless and regular cranks, jerkbaits, drop shots and flukes are all good baits. Using them in the matter I mentioned will help increase your confidence (and hopefully your catch rate) in them under clear water conditions.
WRB reply :
Water + weeds = crawdads, you may not see them but they are there!
Clear water I would be using swimbaits, jerk baits, crank baits, slip shot and drop shot finesse rigs with hand poured worms and jigs because that is what I use in clear water.
Tom
Bluebasser86 reply :
Ned rig, Keitech, jerkbait, spook, shakyhead, swimming grub, wacky rig.
Dens228 reply :
TacticalBassin has some good Youtbube videos on both jerkbaits and lipless cranks.
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 8:38 PM, Dens228 said:TacticalBassin has some good Youtbube videos on both jerkbaits and lipless cranks.
I like watching their videos, but most likely skipped the ones on jerkbaits and lipless cranks. I'll have to go back and check them out, thanks!!
FCPhil reply :
Jerkbaits and topwater in the mornings...
RyneB reply :
drop shot with 4 or 6 lb Invizx. Bait of choice is a Yamamoto shad shape worm in natural shad. If that doesnt get bit, there are no bass in it.
Dorado reply :
On 3/7/2019 at 5:31 AM, RyneB said:drop shot with 4 or 6 lb Invizx. Bait of choice is a Yamamoto shad shape worm in natural shad. If that doesnt get but, there are no bass in it.
X2
Missouri Rigging reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 4:06 AM, Fishin' Fool said:Senkos, drop shots and flukes.
He makes a good point. Since it's a pond I'm guessing the bait fish isn't to big, so a drop shot, 4-6 fluro. Might do the trick and I would mix it up between a zoom tiny fluke and a regular one. Just got to match the hatch.
thedilettantedad reply :
I've had good luck with the Boyah pond magic spinner on clear small ponds. I haven't tried 20 ft deep, but I bet you can let it sink and slow roll it back.
5by3 reply :
I have a clear, bowl-shaped lake near me like what you described. I do well on bottom baits fished out deep (15-25 fow). Drop shots and shaky heads also work well. During the spring, jerkbaits dominate.
Keep an eye out for bass feeding on the surface during the warmer months. Some of my best days on this lake have been throwing spooks to schooling bass over 30fow.
JLBBass reply :
Jerkbaits, wacky rigged finesse worm, drop shot
Catch Co. (Ross G.) reply :
Drop shot is my go-to technique for deeper clear water. One of my favorite baits is the Shimmer Shad in the natural color. The 4” works great but if the bite is really tough, the 3” is even better.
https://shopkarls.com/catch-co-shimmer-shad
also really like the BioSpwn 4.5” PlasmaTail
https://shopkarls.com/biospawn-plasmatail
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/12/2019 at 8:05 PM, Catch Co. (Ross G.) said:Drop shot is my go-to technique for deeper clear water. One of my favorite baits is the Shimmer Shad in the natural color. The 4” works great but if the bite is really tough, the 3” is even better.
https://shopkarls.com/catch-co-shimmer-shad
also really like the BioSpwn 4.5” PlasmaTail
https://shopkarls.com/biospawn-plasmatail
What's your preference on lines, hooks, weight, etc?
Catch Co. (Ross G.) reply :
On 3/12/2019 at 8:42 PM, Largies4Life said:What's your preference on lines, hooks, weight, etc?
I prefer using braid with a fluoride leader over straight fluoro. I used 15lb braid and 6-8lb fluoro (connected with an FG knot, which can take some practice).
Power Pro is always a pod value for braid. For Fluoro, Seaguar is great but pricey. Yo-Zuri Fluoro is a good bang for your buck:
https://shopkarls.com/accessories/line
For the hook, depends on the size bait but I usually use a #2, #1, 1/0, or on occasion 2/0.
this #1 should work for those baits;
https://shopkarls.com/stickies-wacky-drop-shot-hook
on the weights, depends on depth and bottom composition. I usually go at least 1/4 in deeper water, esp if there is wind. If it’s shallower or very calm you can go lighter. Round ball or teardrop for rocky/sandy bottom. Cylinder for grass.
https://shopkarls.com/td-tungsten-pur-tungsten-drop-shot-weights
https://shopkarls.com/karl-s-stash-dropshot-weight-ball
hope that helps!
Boomstick reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 1:26 AM, Largies4Life said:I'd love to get into crankbait and jerkbait fishing, but have absolutely no confidence in them. What crankbaits and jerkbaits do you like to use in this scenario?
For jerkbaits, you generally want to match the hatch so to speak. Jerkbaits are most effective in lakes where the bass will feed on perch, so a perch colored jerkbait is never a bad idea. I don't have experience with a wide variety of jerkbaits however.
For crankbaits, try some silver lipless cranks early in the spring. Once the water hits at least 55 degrees, try a square bill to cover water. I caught more fish on a River2Sea Ish Monroe Biggie Smalls in Horizon Shad last year than any other single lure I own, and most of them came in clear water. I picked that up due to Matt & Tim's recommendations on the tacticalbassin Youtube channel, who give tons of fantastic information (and catch some gigantic bass as well). I probably own more crankbaits than any other lure, as they each have different wobbles which gives them a different presentation and uses in different situations.
Also try a white spinnerbait - a slow rolled colorado blade very early in the year and dual willow blades once the water hits 55. 3/8oz is usually a good weight for a smaller body of water where the fish aren't huge, but a 1/2oz spinnerbait never hurts either.
Drop shots and ned rigs should be quite effective and works year round. I'd suggest a nose hooked roboworm and some wacky rigged finesse worms.
Jigfishn10 reply :
On 3/6/2019 at 10:11 AM, papajoe222 said:Crystal clear water intimidates many anglers and, for the most part, it's unjustified. Bass are predominately sight feeders and clear water is advantageous to them. Success, from an angler standpoint, is your ability to play to that, just as you would to murky water when they rely on their other senses in combination with sight.
There is no need to draw attention to your bait with 'loud' colors or noise unless you are fishing heavy cover when their line of sight is reduced significantly. Reducing the size of your presentations is advantageous, as is 'matching the hatch'
with color selection. With fast moving presentations, the speed of your retrieve and the length of any pauses you impart become more critical. Generally, faster retrieves with fewer, short, pauses is the way to go. The longer a bass has to inspect your presentation, the lower the odds that it will commit to striking it. Faster, of course, is relative to water temp.
Lipless and regular cranks, jerkbaits, drop shots and flukes are all good baits. Using them in the matter I mentioned will help increase your confidence (and hopefully your catch rate) in them under clear water conditions.
Great advice in this post. I've had more success with faster presentations in the past than slower. Muted colors and smaller baits used to be and is a good recipe for success, but don't overlook speed.
White Spinnerbait white willow leaf blades with a chop on the surface is one of my favorite presentations.
primetime reply :
In my opinion, the most important part of clear water fishing is lighter line, as light as possible, 6lb test fluorocarbon as a leader or main line, or light mono would make any lure you choose likely get bit more.
I would personally throw a light C-rig, split shot rig, texas rig with a bait to cover water. If not alot of weeds and snags, try throwing a 3" shad body like the Keitech Shiner, Sassy shad style baits or small Skinny dipper on an open jighead so you can probe different depths and find fish quick.
All suggestions should work if you find the fish. Craw style baits would likely still work, 3-4" grub, ned rig, fluke...any soft bait should work. If bottom is sand, a football jig is another good option with any trailer you like.
A wacky rig worm is actually a good choice that works and I am not sure why. As a jig trailer...Especially on a swing jig. Just started doing this on jigs, on smaller jigs I use a 4" stick worm and I am starting to notice I do better on a stiffer worm for some reason, maybe cause how it snaps back after each pull or hop.
WRB reply :
Off topic; You all are brain washed, FC line make no difference over mono line the same diameter using finesse presentations in water less then 20' deep. The difference with FC is between your ears and that is important. Deeper water creates more line drag and that can affect strike detection giving FC line a slight advantage over mono.
Tom
Boomstick reply :
On 3/13/2019 at 12:53 AM, WRB said:Off topic; You all are brain washed, FC line make no difference over mono line the same diameter using finesse presentations in water less then 20' deep. The difference with FC is between your ears and that is important. Deeper water creates more line drag and that can affect strike detection giving FC line a slight advantage over mono.
Tom
I will have to try a mono leader with a drop shot and see what I notice.
WRB reply :
Try Maxima ultra green 5 lb.
Tom
JigginNH74 reply :
Up in the northeast (NH, MA, ME) most water I fish is crystal clear. My go to on shaky heads are top-tungsten.com. For me, the reduced size and increased sensitivity around the rocks has really helped. Can find them in a few stores in southern NH and on the website.
A-Jay reply :
The majority of the water I'm on in search of big smallmouth is very clear.
There has been a ton of most excellent advice offered here already.
The one thing that I'll add, and something that has helped me a ton, is to understand and believe in
"the power of distance".
The further away from my boat (or canoe), I can effectively present a bait in super clear water, the more & bigger bass I usually catch. With most every presentation; topwater, crankbaits, and any soft plastic bait & rig I fish, having max space between me & the fish offers the best possibility of not announcing my presence.
Often at least half the battle.
Certainly not the end all answer, but it really seems to help.
A-Jay
WRB reply :
^^^this^^^
I don't like casting jigs 50 yards but the results can be well worth the effort.
Tom
A-Jay reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 1:55 AM, WRB said:^^^this^^^
I don't like casting jigs 50 yards but the results can be well worth the effort.
Tom
Agreed Tom ~
I'll only go as far out as I need to, but I've got to get the bite first.
The long-distance hookset and the way out there fight can often be quite a gamble.
A-Jay
Way north bass guy reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 2:00 AM, A-Jay said:Agreed Tom ~
I'll only go as far out as I need to, but I've got to get the bite first.
The long-distance hookset and the way out there fight can often be quite a gamble.
A-Jay
But that way out hookset and fight is where it gets fun too. Don’t get me wrong, I like a big old largemouth on a flippin stick and short line too, but there’s something about a big smallie absolutely hammering a big spinnerbait right when it touches down on a super long cast, then the fun of trying to stop all those big jumps while your heart is in your throat ????
A-Jay reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 2:22 AM, Way north bass guy said:But that way out hookset and fight is where it gets fun too. Don’t get me wrong, I like a big old largemouth on a flippin stick and short line too, but there’s something about a big smallie absolutely hammering a big spinnerbait right when it touches down on a super long cast, then the fun of trying to stop all those big jumps while your heart is in your throat ????
1
Tell me about it ~
Spinnerbait you say ?
A-Jay
Largies4Life reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 2:25 AM, A-Jay said:Tell me about it ~
Spinnerbait you say ?
A-Jay
Thank you for the great advice A-Jay! For me, it would have to be the adrenaline rush I get when my topwater hits the surface and before I can take a crank, I see a big wake streamlining towards my lure....the feeling just can't be beat!
Jigfishn10 reply :
Loved the "power of distance" post A-Jay, great advice. Something that I forgot about fishing some of the crystal clear lake in NH. Mental note is not lost here.
NYWayfarer reply :
One of my favorite clearwater baits is the Rebel Bluegill squarbill crankbait in natural bluegill color.
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 2:25 AM, A-Jay said:Tell me about it ~
Spinnerbait you say ?
A-Jay
Just watched your top water video love the commentary. Us bass guys remember the weights of our 5 biggest bass more so than our anniversary or children's birthdays lol. Great video @A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
On 3/18/2019 at 9:53 PM, Fishin' Fool said:Just watched your top water video love the commentary. Us bass guys remember the weights of our 5 biggest bass more so than our anniversary or children's birthdays lol. Great video @A-Jay
Thanks and I have to agree.
Just don't tell my wife !
A-Jay
WRB reply :
Then there is the power of night fishing in clear water, no longer need to make 50 yard cast or use light finesse finess presentations....game on!
Tom
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
In my experience gin clear water usually means smaller profile, natural colors and long casts.
Scott F reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 1:36 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:In my experience gin clear water usually means smaller profile, natural colors and long casts.
I agree except for the natural colors. One of my best smallmouth lures in clear water is a clown colored X-rap.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 2:11 AM, Scott F said:I agree except for the natural colors. One of my best smallmouth lures in clear water is a clown colored X-rap.
Yup that color is $$ Keepin that one under my hat lol
Hower08 reply :
Snap a tube jig. Heavy weight heads.
Also in a quarry I use to fish with extremely clear water I always did extremely well on a rapala bx minnow in smelt color. Its a goldish color.
Also fish a topwater FAST don't let the fish get a good look at it.
In clear water you can get them to come up out of 20+ fow and smash a topwater
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