What Do You Do With Clear Water Like This. Im Clueless 2024
CYP reply :
I am clueless with clear water. I have never really run into it until today. I did some searches on lure color etc but nothing I tossed out there worked. I got zero bites. Any advice is very appreciated. The pic is where I was. Its deep and comes up quickly its an old sand plant.
livetofish28 reply :
Throw a super realistic swimbait like a huddleston or hollow belly i would definitely throw the hudd weedless shad there or work a shaky head along the bottom
tight lines
Andrew
CYP reply :
On 4/27/2014 at 10:22 PM, livetofish28 said:Throw a super realistic swimbait like a huddleston or hollow belly i would definitely throw the hudd weedless shad there or work a shaky head along the bottom
tight lines
Andrew
Thank you sir. I tried a shadilicious but no luck, those huddlestons look much better. Looks like the bait monkey may steer me in that direction shortly.
ColdSVT reply :
Fish water like that often up here in the north.
I like jerkbaits, beavers, finesse jigs and spinner baits
The key is stealth, narural colors, and to downsize a little
MichaelJ7 reply :
I fish water like that all the time. For years all I had a choice to fish was really stained or completely muddy water. Then after acquiring a lake lot on a big lake development here in SE Missouri I was blindsided like you. However now, I love it. It's all about presentation. If you go out as the water warms up and throw a t-rigged senko style bait in a natural color.... Be ready to hold on. My personal favorite is watermelon pearl laminate. Also stick to jigs. But not black and blue. Go with watermelon red or pumpkin. Keep em small too. Either 1/4oz or go with a 3/8 finesse jig (I think war eagle makes a great one) this will atleast help you locate the fish. If your dealing with wind always go to a spinnerbait. Look for the fish holding to lay downs or drop offs. They love them for cover!
Jar11591 reply :
I love fishing clear water. Green pumpkin and watermelon soft plastics all day.
WRB reply :
Is this sandy beach typical of the shoreline perimeter?
Fishing from shore eliminates a lot of lures and presentation you can effective use. Bass tend to stay on the outside break line where the water is deeper during daylight.
During the day the bass will be looking for prey to push up into shallow water, you need to locate areas where the bass can do this or you see them doing that. Using soft plastics in natural translucent colors that are similar to the prey should work. Finesse C-rig or slip shot rig works good with 6-8# line and finesse worms or reapers. Senko's should work and nail weight worms. Minnow lures like broken back Rapala often works in smaller lakes and ponds. A glide bait like S Waver may be good.
Night is your best choice for larger bass, then larger T-rigged worms and creature, buzz baits, spooks or whatever should work.
Tom
Catt reply :
What I don't see in that picture is cover, so I have to ask what types of cover is present?
The types of cover is key to which techniques & where I would be fishing!
Hattrick7 reply :
From there I would throw a dropshot with a roboworm in morning dawn or some other lighter color with lighter fluoro line. I think that should at least get you bit if there's bass around.
I would also throw a t rig with like 1/8 weight with a lighter color stick worm or the green pit boss just to see what kinda profile they'll hit. Maybe both? Also a spinner and crankbait and I'd make sure it's swimming towards the bottom. Hard baits in lighter colors.
Raul reply :
The ponds I fish have water clearer than that, never had the necessity of fishing hyper realistic baits, it´s much more important matter how you approach and attack the super high visibility, the fish can see you ! so anything you do has to conceal your presence, lower your height, do not cast your shadow, make long casts, those are much more important tan trying to imitate anything with your baits, actually some of my favorite baits for fishing those places have 100% non "realistic" colors and patterns ( hot fluorescent orange, fluorescent chartreuse, firetiger ) and heavily metal flaked plastics. I´m sorry if it bothers other people but I´m do not believe in the hyper finnesse or hyper realistic approach, in my experience it´s not needed nor necessary.
Bass NC reply :
All great tips! I fish clear water a lot as well and I stick to jigs and t-rigged plastics in natural colors like browns, watermelon, ect.
Good luck and right lines
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 1:55 AM, Catt said:What I don't see in that picture is cover, so I have to ask what types of cover is present?
The types of cover is key to which techniques & where I would be fishing!
CYP reply :
From the little time I had to invest and from the shore I didn't see much but the nj state record was caught here and was also caught from the shore so I'm sure there has to be cover somewhere it may just be too early in the year for it.
WRB reply :
How big is this lake and what is the forage base? Is your intent to catch trophy size bass?On 4/28/2014 at 3:33 AM, CYP said:From the little time I had to invest and from the shore I didn't see much but the nj state record was caught here and was also caught from the shore so I'm sure there has to be cover somewhere it may just be too early in the year for it.
Tom
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 3:58 AM, WRB said:How big is this lake and what is the forage base? Is your intent to catch trophy size bass?
Tom
It's actually a series of ponds connected to the Maurice river. I have no idea on the size but I do know none are huge. I have no idea about the forage I'm looking it up to see if I can find anything on it. As far as trophy I could care less just like to fish.
CYP reply :
Just found a bunch of info on this particular place but still looking for all the clear water advice I can get
WRB reply :
If you just what to catch bass in pressured clear water small lakes and ponds than my first post is valid.
If you don't like finesse presentations, the would go with a jerk bait, both hard and soft types, the S Waver and T-rigged worms or creature. Keep your shadow off the water and fan cast the area you fish. Low light hours and night will be more productive.
Tom
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 4:20 AM, WRB said:If you just what to catch bass in pressured clear water small lakes and ponds than my first post is valid.
If you don't like finesse presentations, the would go with a jerk bait, both hard and soft types, the S Waver and T-rigged worms or creature. Keep your shadow off the water and fan cast the area you fish. Low light hours and night will be more productive.
Tom
Thanks I'll try it out. Seems there are also northern pike in there but I find that a little hard to believe. I think I'll be there a lot over the summer
Jacob34 reply :
I'm still a novice when it come to bass fishing, but I'm more accustomed to fish clear water lakes compared to what angler's in the south fish. I'll echo natural color soft plastics and jigs work very well for me a majority of the time as do cranks and jerk baits. Very rarely do I throw something "flashy" when fishing for large or small mouth bass. I've also noticed I tend to throw smaller offerings compared to others that I know that fish dirtier waters. I think fishing clear water takes a a lot better presentation and tactics than fishing dirty water as well, but that is just my opinion.
A little off topic, but I remember when I had a guided trip on Lake Fork a few years ago. I was totally out of my element fishing there. I've never seen such dirty water in my life. It was like chocolate milk.
J Francho reply :
This isn't always the case, bit in clear water, I fish deeper, cast farther, and use "quieter" baits, both in sound and visibility.
Catt reply :
Without knowing available cover & food source y'all are just guessing as to what to throw where.
My suggestion is to become better acquainted with the body of water.
Other wise listen to everyone else & throw what ever, where ever, when ever!
geo g reply :
Long casts and very stealth baits, trick worm, 4" senko, centipedes, flukes and some small top water. Stealth is a key, stay off the trolling motor as much as possible and turn it on slow.
WRB reply :
You are right.On 4/28/2014 at 6:28 AM, Catt said:Without knowing available cover & food source y'all are just guessing as to what to throw where.
My suggestion is to become better acquainted with the body of water.
Other wise listen to everyone else & throw what ever, where ever, when ever!
Tom
CYP reply :
For this particular place what I am able to gather is that killies (shiners) are the primary baitfish
WRB reply :
Bluegill, crappie or any crawdads? Young of the year fish like catfish and carp also are baitfish during the summer period. Select lures that look somewhat like the shiners as a starting point, you should do OK.On 4/28/2014 at 7:39 AM, CYP said:For this particular place what I am able to gather is that killies (shiners) are the primary baitfish
Tom
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 7:53 AM, WRB said:Bluegill, crappie or any crawdads? Young of the year fish like catfish and carp also are baitfish during the summer period. Select lures that look somewhat like the shiners as a starting point, you should do OK.
Tom
Oh Im sure there are, I know there are black crappie and catfish and carp
aceman387 reply :
I fish gin clear strip pits that resemble that and i have great success with a 4" wacky rigged yum dinger in watermelon color and yamamoto shad shape worms in green pumpkin and shad color texas rigged weightless and a 5/16 oz black & blue jig with a zoom u vibe trailer. Don't be afraid to go with other colors besides natural because i have caught a ton of bass in those clear pits on a 7" berkley power worm in blue fleck color as well as the black & blue color jigs,more so than the green pumpkin colored jigs.
Catt reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 7:39 AM, CYP said:For this particular place what I am able to gather is that killies (shiners) are the primary baitfish
That narrows it down 
There are 1270 different species of Killifish!
What's bottom contour like?
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 8:05 AM, Catt said:That narrows it down
There are 1270 different species of Killifish!
What's bottom contour like?
LOL I dont know, Im brand new to this spot, never fished it so Im learning. I would imagine since they are old sandwash/gravel pits that the bottom is going to be mostly sandy but there must also be digouts all over the place so it should be pretty contoured. Im going to take a shot in the dark and anything minnow, silverish, blackish should be OK here for the non finesse stuff
CYP reply :
Looks like Im going to have to try out some finesse fishing here regardless
Bruce424 reply :
6lb line and shakey head. Since you said it drops quick maybe a drop shot. Sunny days clear water = finesse techniques. Light 1/4oz footballhead and singletail grubs. Hope this helps a lil
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 8:15 AM, Bruce424 said:6lb line and shakey head. Since you said it drops quick maybe a drop shot. Sunny days clear water = finesse techniques. Light 1/4oz footballhead and singletail grubs. Hope this helps a lil
Im going to try the jig/tail method first. I dont have finesse gear at this point
Bruce424 reply :
Try a carolina rig then with a lizard or big tail worm. Like a magnum worm or a ribbon tail.I have succes with carolina rig on deeper lakes
J Francho reply :
I'm not sure why it's imperative to know what forage is in the lake. Sure it helps, or maybe it helps narrow down what to throw, but 90% of what I throw resembles nothing found in nature.
I think time fishing really is the key. You'll find cover, and that cover will dictate what baits work. You won't be tossing finesse baits on light line in matted milfoil. Likewise, you don't need 65# braid to toss a finesse worm on a split shot rig in deep open water.
The biggest hurdle will locating fish. I gave you some clues in an earlier post. Strip pits can be challenging, but can be a real bonanza. Locate cover - wood, weeds, docks, etc, and fish shouldn't be far. Lacking that, find some defining structure - a roadbed, creek mouth, a deep ledge, close to shore - and there should be fish near.
One hunt and peck technique I use in strip pits is to wander the shore at dusk, fan casting a topwater. Catch a fish, and note the location. Then focus your efforts on that area next time you fish.
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 9:00 AM, J Francho said:I'm not sure why it's imperative to know what forage is in the lake. Sure it helps, or maybe it helps narrow down what to throw, but 90% of what I throw resembles nothing found in nature.
I think time fishing really is the key. You'll find cover, and that cover will dictate what baits work. You won't be tossing finesse baits on light line in matted milfoil. Likewise, you don't need 65# braid to toss a finesse worm on a split shot rig in deep open water.
The biggest hurdle will locating fish. I gave you some clues in an earlier post. Strip pits can be challenging, but can be a real bonanza. Locate cover - wood, weeds, docks, etc, and fish shouldn't be far. Lacking that, find some defining structure - a roadbed, creek mouth, a deep ledge, close to shore - and there should be fish near.
One hunt and peck technique I use in strip pits is to wander the shore at dusk, fan casting a topwater. Catch a fish, and note the location. Then focus your efforts on that area next time you fish.
Excellent idea
Catt reply :
Based off your picture I would wade fish, where the is no cover the will not be any bass. I wouldn't go any deeper the my knees, this will put you a little closer to the dropoff. Keep the sun either at your face or side. Move extremly slow & methodical, casting as fas as possible. The fast dropping bottom will help hide your silhouette.
I don't think your cast are reaching the fish
WRB reply :
For some reason I didn't pick up on the fact this was a sand& gravel quarry lake. That doesn't change what my first reply would be,
Having spent a lot of time fishing quarry lakes in my teen years and the bass trend to be similar to pond bass and become shoreline oriented bass, most of their food falls into the lake near shore. Quarry bass become super sensitive to shadows are movement, you need to blend into the environment.
The deeper water near shore is where these bass will locate, you need to target that zone without spooking the bass.
Tom
PS, invest in a kayak!
Catt reply :
This what a friend e-mailed me, his a member of Lunker Hunter Bass Club.
Menantico Sand Ponds
Series of 8 ponds connected by narrow cuts
Source of water: Maurice River & Menantico Creek
Size: 62 total acres
Depth: shallow as 4', max depth 12'
Bass population: has a reputation for low to medium quantities of small bass
Bankbeater reply :
I like to fish clear lakes when there is a little wind blowing. The chop on the water it causes tends to hide you from the fish a little more.
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 5:19 PM, Catt said:This what a friend e-mailed me, his a member of Lunker Hunter Bass Club.
Menantico Sand Ponds
Series of 8 ponds connected by narrow cuts
Source of water: Maurice River & Menantico Creek
Size: 62 total acres
Depth: shallow as 4', max depth 12'
Bass population: has a reputation for low to medium quantities of small bass
Yup thats pretty much it other than its deeper than 12' probably closer to 40' from what I have read looking around but really I cant be sure, no boat to get out there
CYP reply :
On 4/28/2014 at 11:17 AM, WRB said:For some reason I didn't pick up on the fact this was a sand& gravel quarry lake. That doesn't change what my first reply would be,
Having spent a lot of time fishing quarry lakes in my teen years and the bass trend to be similar to pond bass and become shoreline oriented bass, most of their food falls into the lake near shore. Quarry bass become super sensitive to shadows are movement, you need to blend into the environment.
The deeper water near shore is where these bass will locate, you need to target that zone without spooking the bass.
Tom
PS, invest in a kayak!
Im looking around, Im hoping at some point to get one but I have a small car so its going to have to go on the roof but I am looking around.
WRB reply :
Lot of kayakers on this site that can help you get started and some good buys available. Good luck with your fishing.On 4/28/2014 at 11:21 PM, CYP said:Im looking around, Im hoping at some point to get one but I have a small car so its going to have to go on the roof but I am looking around.
Tom
Raul reply :
You may not need to invest in a kayak, fortunately you don´t live in the southeast where there are gators, you can invest in a good quality float tube ( belly boat ) that you just deflate and throw into the trunk of your car.
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