Clear, Stained, Murky 2025
*Hootie reply :
Can someone give me a measured definition. I read, Colorado blades for murky waters, willow leaf blades for clear. I ask because most spinnerbaits are willow leaf. My lake, I consider murky. Don't really know what to base a decision on.
Hootie
Raul reply :
Visibility depends upon the density of suspended particles ( regardless of the nature ) and/or diluted compounds, so "clear" more than 45 cm of visibility, " murky " less than 45 cm of visibility those terms apply to suspended matter organic or inorganic. "Stained" refers to disolved compounds an is usually associated to a dertain coloration, more ammount of compunds dissolved = more color = more "stain" , a good example of stain is waters where there is a lot of dissolved compunds from decayong vegetation in and around the water, for example, tannic acids which provide water with a characteristic tea/coffee color. Now, as usual, I am completely against any kind of "ruleisation" like the one you mention, to me choosing which blade style depend on several factors, visibility is one, depth is another, speed and lift ( how much the spinnerbait rises depending upon speed retrieval ) are also taken in consideration. Finish is also another thing I consider, a smooth surface reflects less light then a hammered or diamond patterned one. If I'm going to fish deep and want to keep the bait deep I'm going to choose the blade that creates the less amount of lift ( willowleaf ) preferably with a hammered surface so it traps the most available light at depth, if I'm going to fish above weeds then I would choose more lift, a duoble colorado has the most lift.
tatertester reply :
Blades surely do make a difference in lift, and, so does weight....Tie on a 1 to 1 1/2 oz. spinnerbait and you will quickly be in deeper water no matter which blades are used. Rate of retrieve also contributes.......I mostly use a 3/8th oz with willow blades in clear water......I prefer stained water as it allows more flexibility on lure choices.
Team9nine reply :
If I'm not mistaken, the old Color-C-Lector unit guideline, which also used clear, stained and murky was 0'-2' (murky), 2'-4' (stained), and greater than 4' visibility (clear). Might be a good starting basis, and then adapt to your local waters.
-T9
Alonerankin2 reply :
I'm a little surprised, no one has elaborated on blade colors, as in gold, silver or painted blades. Even the older powerbait spinnerbaits ( Jay Yelias) had clear polycarbonate blades.. Blade shape plus finish plus # of blades plus weight of spinnerbait plus skirt color and no wonder there's a lot of questions on the topic, oh, frame material, stainless, titanium, etc.. I'm confused just tapping this out.. Lol. I really liked the Spro model that had I think it was 4 willow blades, looked great in the water and caught good numbers. I work a 3/4 to 1 oz at night, with a big Colorodo blade in the areas adjacent to river channels.. Other than that I don't use them much now.
MassBass reply :
Willow leaf blades give more flash, colorado blades give more vibration, and indiana blades are inbetween. The idea being that in murky or stained or in my case this year cloudy water the colorado blade will attract the fish more because it will appeal to the fishes senses other than sight.
Sam reply :
Gold Colorado blades for the vibration in muddy and heavily stained water.
Of course, you know the bass will have to tell you what they want.
Lund Explorer reply :
On 12/5/2014 at 7:03 AM, *Hootie said:Can someone give me a measured definition. I read, Colorado blades for murky waters, willow leaf blades for clear. I ask because most spinnerbaits are willow leaf. My lake, I consider murky. Don't really know what to base a decision on.
Hootie
As simply as I can explain how I learned it.
All blades give you flash (visibility) and vibrations. Willow give more flash and less vibration, while Colorado gives you the opposite. Indiana blades are in the middle of the two. Taking these facts into consideration, you can assume that the lower the visibility, the more the bass needs to use the vibration of a lure to locate it.
fishballer06 reply :
I've always believed in the willow blades were for running shallower, and colorado were for running deeper. This being attributed to the shapes (a willow will naturally cut through the water better because it's so slender).
As for water color/clarity, that is where the blade color is more important. Silver=sunny is the moto I was always taught. And then gold for muddier water.
*Hootie reply :
I am getting a lot of good information, but more about spinnerbaits than water clarity.
Let me ask this way:
My favorite lake NEVER has more than 10 inches visability.
Under these conditions, would you bother with a willow leaf spinnerbait?
Hootie
gulfcaptain reply :
Hootie, spring/summer I would burn the willowleaf just under the surface. When I lived in OK, the lake I lived and fished on was always murky/muddy. Only time the willow worked was when it was burned. Other then that all my fish came off colorado blades. Black and Chart/white being the best for the colorado baits and all white for the willow bladed spinnerbait, although I did have good success with chart/white buzz baits so..... But that would be the only time I would use a willowleaf blade in murky water with the vis you have.
Senko lover reply :
I would use a 3/4 oz. chartreuse spinnerbait with a large, heavy-duty Colorado blade. Willow blades are meant for faster speed, and Colorado blades are meant for getting a good vibration at slower speeds. Slow is the way to go if you want to go deeper.
Catt reply :
Every where I fish 
1/2 oz, double gold willow leaf, & white skirt or charteuse/white skirt.
Senko lover reply :
I exclusively use chartreuse/white for my purposes, but in muddy water you will probably want a firetiger, chartreuse, or even red.
FunkJishing reply :
On 12/5/2014 at 7:03 AM, *Hootie said:Can someone give me a measured definition. I read, Colorado blades for murky waters, willow leaf blades for clear. I ask because most spinnerbaits are willow leaf. My lake, I consider murky. Don't really know what to base a decision on.
Hootie
colorado blades = more vibration and lift
willow leaf blades = less lift, more flash
indiana blades = even amount of flash, vibration, and lift
gold blades = best in stained water
silver blades = best in clear water
chartruse/colored blades = best in murky water
the sliver blades in clear water have a bright white flash to them, bass love that.
the gold blades flash in stained water can help the bait stand out and provides just enough contrast between the water color and blade.
chartruse/colored blades are good when you dont need a lot of flash but want the bait to stand out in murky water.
also willow leaf blades come through weeds better than colorado, agin indiana blades are somewhere between the two.
tatertester reply :
I fish mostly very clear waters, and , use a 3/8th oz charteuse and white skirt, silver blades, in or close to weeds, pads, wood , or any type cover available. I fish fast retrieve mixed with sudden stops and starts especially if near weed walls , mostly shallower water out to deep water.
speed craw reply :
Surprised no one has mentioned the good ole Indiana blade spinner bait . Colorado blade with a twist , you can slow roll and crank aggressively . Booyah makes them in silver and gold blade combinations . I have had success with this one setup more so than others just to more depth control and able to switch tactics .
FunkJishing reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:32 AM, speed craw said:Surprised no one has mentioned the good ole Indiana blade spinner bait . Colorado blade with a twist , you can slow roll and crank aggressively . Booyah makes them in silver and gold blade combinations . I have had success with this one setup more so than others just to more depth control and able to switch tactics .
i mentioned the indiana in my last post. there are also oaklahoma blades. lol
aavery2 reply :
So what about the water color?
FunkJishing reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:49 AM, aavery2 said:So what about the water color?
i spoke on that as well.
speed craw reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:43 AM, FunkJishing said:i mentioned the indiana in my last post. there are also oaklahoma blades. lol
Did not know that my apologies , intro my Bobby Boucher quote " now you know dat " .
MassBass reply :
I actually like colored blades in clear water.
*Hootie reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:50 AM, FunkJishing said:i spoke on that as well.
Actually all you mentioned is what to use in clear, stained, or murky water.
What defines clear, stained, and murky.
speed craw reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:43 AM, FunkJishing said:i mentioned the indiana in my last post. there are also oaklahoma blades. lol
Did not know that my apologies , intro Bobby Boucher quote " now you know dat " .
FunkJishing reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:53 AM, speed craw said:Did not know that my apologies , intro my Bobby Boucher quote " now you know dat " .
lol no prob
FunkJishing reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 1:56 AM, *Hootie said:Actually all you mentioned is what to use in clear, stained, or murky water.
What defines clear, stained, and murky.
clear to me is sight from 6 to 10 feet. stained is 3 to 6 feet, murky is 0 - 1 feet.
Raul reply :
There´s a ton of variations and permutations on the subject of which blade for this and that blade for that, we can discuss and even argue somebody said this and somebody else said that, my take ? choose whatever you like and feel confident, I own over 100 spinnerbaits after years and years I "discovered" that actually I fish with less than a handful, maybe 80% of the time I use a single 3/8 Tennessee silver blade white & chartreuse skirt for maybe 90% of the wáter clarity and color conditions, from the remaining 20% more than 50% the work is left to a 1/2 oz double large diamond pattern double willow gold white skirt.
*Hootie reply :
I guess the question is difficult to answer because everyone probably has a different definition.
Probably best to do what Raul says, and forget rules. Just try it, if it works, then I'm good to go.
If not, forget it and move on to something else. Anyway, thanks guys for all the comments.
I did learn quite a bit about spinnerbaits though...lol.
Hootie
*Hootie reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 2:01 AM, FunkJishing said:clear to me is sight from 6 to 10 feet. stained is 3 to 6 feet, murky is 0 - 1 feet.
If murky is 0-1 feet, and stained is 3-6 feet, what is it between 1-3 feet.
I hope you don't think I am just messing with you, this just something that has
bugged me for a while.
Hootie
FunkJishing reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 2:08 AM, *Hootie said:If murky is 0-1 feet, and stained is 3-6 feet, what is it between 1-3 feet.
I hope you don't think I am just messing with you, this just something that has
bugged me for a while.
Hootie
lol I'd call it slightly murky.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Seems to be a lot of info online as to what color, blade styles, etc..to use in these conditions, But not much definitive info. on what constitutes exactly, murky from stained or even what constitutes clear. Some suggest anything over 30" is clear, I've seen 30' of clear water.. Maybe we should hire a fishing lawyer to write a law on this, lol ..
*Hootie reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 2:41 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Seems to be a lot of info online as to what color, blade styles, etc..to use in these conditions, But not much definitive info. on what constitutes exactly, murky from stained or even what constitutes clear. Some suggest anything over 30" is clear, I've seen 30' of clear water.. Maybe we should hire a fishing lawyer to write a law on this, lol ..
Alonerankin2, I think you nailed it. There is no definitive answer. Are there any lawyers on this site....lol.
Hootie
Lund Explorer reply :
On 12/5/2014 at 9:44 PM, *Hootie said:I am getting a lot of good information, but more about spinnerbaits than water clarity.
Let me ask this way:
My favorite lake NEVER has more than 10 inches visability.
Under these conditions, would you bother with a willow leaf spinnerbait?
Hootie
Any lake around here with only 10" of visibility wouldn't be called murky, it would be called MUD! 
Now speaking of spinnerbaits, have you ever run across one with a rattling blade?
*Hootie reply :
On 12/6/2014 at 3:12 AM, Lund Explorer said:Any lake around here with only 10" of visibility wouldn't be called murky, it would be called MUD!
Okay, so would you use a willow leaf spinnerbait in mud?...lol.
About the blade rattles, I'm not sure.
Hootie
FunkJishing reply :
- On 12/6/2014 at 3:17 AM, *Hootie said:
Okay, so would you use a willow leaf spinnerbait in mud?...lol.
About the blade rattles, I'm not sure.
Hootie
definately a colorado because if the bass cant see the lure well you want something that gives off enough vibration for the bass to feel with their lateral line. that way they sence the baits presence more and find it easier if it cant be seen.
Lund Explorer reply :
Now that I no longer fish tourneys, it has been sitting in storage and wasting away. If you'd like to try it out, shoot me a pm with your address and I'll get them out to you.
Fish'N Impossible reply :
Which Lake are you on Hootie? I am from Ohio and been to most of them and might be able to help you out.
aavery2 reply :
Hootie, there are tools that are used to measure water clarity. A secchi disk is one that can be used. If you do a little research on the following terms you may be able to find what you are looking for.
Nephelometric Turbidity units
Formanzin Turbidity units
Jackson Turbidity units
Careful though the talk of science really seems to get some worked up.
*Hootie reply :
On 12/8/2014 at 5:13 PM, Fish said:Which Lake are you on Hootie? I am from Ohio and been to most of them and might be able to help you out.
It's just a small county park lake. Actually I do pretty good on the lake. My question is about the definition of water clarity.
Clear
Stained
Murky
Hootie
*Hootie reply :
On 12/8/2014 at 9:13 PM, aavery2 said:Hootie, there are tools that are used to measure water clarity. A secchi disk is one that can be used. If you do a little research on the following terms you may be able to find what you are looking for.
Nephelometric Turbidity units
Formanzin Turbidity units
Jackson Turbidity units
Careful though the talk of science really seems to get some worked up.
Aavery2, I will check that out when I get on my computer. Those downtown words are too hard to type out on my phone...lol
Hootie
Team9nine reply :
Quote
- 6'+ (Clear Water)
- 4' to 6' (Murky Water)
- 2' to 4' (Stained Water)
- 0' - 2' (Muddy Water)
So "murky" is clearer than "stained" and one step below "clear" itself??? I'm not buying it 
And Hootie, throw a decent sized willow blade in the mud and hold on. They'll hit it at times. Those fish don't sit down there analyzing, and let a passing spinnerbait go by, just because it has the "wrong" blade configuration according to some. I've seen it work first hand in the Ohio R. tributaries, which is about as muddy as we get here in Indiana. Then again, maybe our bass are just dumber than everybody else's
-T9
MassBass reply :
Clear: vodka
Stained: tea
Murky: black tea
Muddy: coffee with cream.
FunkJishing reply :
like team9nine said a fish is gonna hit a bait if it's hungry, I'd only worry about blades if they were being picky and nonresponsive to others.
RMcDuffee726 reply :
On 12/9/2014 at 8:47 AM, Team9nine said:Hootie -
I just reread to be sure. Here is his list again as posted:
That means he is suggesting that "Murky" water is clearer (has better visibility at 4'-6') than "Stained" water (less visibility at only 2'-4'). Like I said - I'm not buying it.
Compare that to the drink analogy, which I do agree with, where "Murky" is darker (murkier - LOL) than stained:
See the difference in order between stained and murky in the two lists? 'Murky' should be next to 'muddy' in order, not next to 'clear', at least in my book. I'm agreeing with MassBass on proper order of visibilities...and semantics
-T9
Then swap the words around if it bothers you that much...I don't know what to tell you. Seems to be really bothering you
Fish'N Impossible reply :
On 12/8/2014 at 10:16 PM, *Hootie said:It's just a small county park lake. Actually I do pretty good on the lake. My question is about the definition of water clarity.
Clear
Stained
Murky
Hootie
Yes i get that I was going to offer you what i know about the general clairity of the lake. If it is less than 10" clairity then here in ohio we call that stained as long as the water is more than 4ft deep (less than 4ft then its murky or chocolate milk). Sounds a lot like all the other lakes here in Ohio. as far as blades on spinnerbaits I routinely use Indian blades on our lakes and only use willow on bright sunny days or when i am burning or waking the bait.
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