Winter Jerkbait - Stained To Muddy Water

[TommyBass]

Ok,  so I have some fish located off of main lake points in my midwest resevoir.    The fish seem to be off of the bank a ways, and suspended in 4-6 ft of water over 8,10, even 14 feet of water.   I know this seems like a pretty classic jerkbait bite, but the water in this lake is fairly stained, maybe 1 ft visibility at best.   Water temps are running 43-45 degrees mid morning.

 

What are your suggestions on how to catch these fish?   My issue with the jerkbait is fish don't really come to it from a distance, as they can't see it well.  So your really fishing a pretty slow technique only hoping to run close to a fish.   But is there really a better option?   Not sure if spinnerbaits or shallow cranks are too much for this time of year, and my standby classics like the jig and carolina rig are all fishing under them.    Or should I maybe keep with the jerkbait and try a bright color or?

 

Any help please!?!?  

[Shane J]

 I can usually catch those fish with a swim jig. Sometimes, you gotta throw multiple times, and find the right speed, but you get it to 'em, and they'll eat it. For me it's usually a perch or bluegill color swim jig, with a Watermelon Red Baby Craw.

[TommyBass]

What about action on your trailer craw?  Do you use something toned down for the winter like a standard zoom chunk or higher action like a rage?   I didn't know if you meant a rage "baby craw" or just meaning a small craw trailer?      Thanks for the advice!

[Sam]

Lipless crankbait at their depth.

 

Spinnerbait that they can see.

[J Francho]

Try the color pattern "clown."

[TommyBass]

I've thought of the lipless crankbait Sam, but was too scared to waste my time on it.    I didn't know if bass would hit one at the speed I'd need to run it to keep it at 4 ft or so over that water.   I'll give it a shot if you think that'll work in 43 degree water.

[Paul Roberts]

A lipless that will run at that depth is the smaller Sebile Flattshad. Pricey, but fishes 4 to 7 feet very well. They have a strong tight vibe and fall horizontally. Most others drop like rocks.

[Shane J]

 

What about action on your trailer craw?  Do you use something toned down for the winter like a standard zoom chunk or higher action like a rage?   I didn't know if you meant a rage "baby craw" or just meaning a small craw trailer?      Thanks for the advice!

 

 I can usually catch those fish with a swim jig. Sometimes, you gotta throw multiple times, and find the right speed, but you get it to 'em, and they'll eat it. For me it's usually a perch or bluegill color swim jig, with a Watermelon Red Baby Craw.

Yup, I meant Rage Tail Baby Craw, and no, I never tone down the action for the colder temps. Sort of for the same reason why loud obnoxious rattle baits work in winter. Why quiet it down? The vibration let's them know in advance that a meal is coming, let's them get the idea in their head, then when they can, they jump on it. 

[senile1]

I face this conundrum as well.  Many of the lakes I fish are highly stained and even muddy, especially in early spring.  Cold water with highly stained to muddy conditions can be tough when the fish are suspended, though in many cases there will be structure nearby to which the fish are relating.  If I recall correctly, while you may be able to see only one foot into the water the eyes of the bass can see much further.  Find that structure and you should be able to keep the lure in the proximity of the bass.

 

You obviously want a bait that will reach the depth of the fish but that will stay in the fish's face long enough for them to bite.  The jerkbait is still a valid choice if you use a color scheme that allows the fish to find the lure, such as the "clown" color mentioned by J Francho.  Keep in mind that if you use a lipless crankbait, a flat-sided crankbait, or a swimming jig you are still faced with the same problem that you faced with the jerkbait.  You need the lure to pass very closely to the fish so they can find it.  Lures that move water and make noise, but suspend or fall slowly are probably your best choices.  Moving in on the fish quietly and dropping a spoon down to their depth is not out of the question.

[Deleted account]

A loud ( color & rattles)  jerkbait that sinks a tad, and a CC Super Spot on 14 lb mono. Rip and stop.

[TommyBass]

Good points Senile...

Structure in this lake is really lacking, at least prime time by the book off shore stuff.   Most of these fish are related to the main type of structure in that they are semi close to the steepest banks.   The steepest banks here fall from the bank out to the old creek channel, which is about a one foot depth change for every 1-2 ft out.   It is on these banks that these fish are located 4-6 ft down, just suspended over the deepest area, which varies from 8-15 ft. 

 

Do any of you experience that the jerkbait's 'pause' needs to be extended in the dirtier water?   For instance, maybe let it sit 10 seconds instead of the  5 you would in clear water?

 

What about soft stick baits (ie senkos)?   Has anyone had luck substituting these out in similar scenarios for hard jerkbaits?  I know that doesn't solve any visibility issue, but maybe a different look.

[J Francho]

I keep a pretty steady cadence, three twitches, and about a 3 second pause.  Give the fish something to track.

[Crestliner2008]

I think you are getting close to your answer with hard jerkbaits, that have some distinct color patterns, such as "clown". Even in clear water, at this time of the year, I've been successful with that pattern. You do need to stay in the strike zone for as long as you are able to. 30 second pauses between jerks is not unusual.

 

Also, if the bass are 3' - 4' off the bottom or glued to it, I'd consider using the drop shot. A wacky rigged Senko is another good tool. And do not discount the Chatterbait. A slow rolled Chatterbait-type bladed jig can be dynamite this time of the year.

 

First & foremost is to find the fish. Fish structures that have bait activity - that you can see on your sonar. Try various presentations, with various angles on those structures. You will get bit.

[iabass8]

Try the color pattern "clown."

x2. the mississippi is muddy and this color and gold/black/silver flat out work in muddy river water in the spring. jerkbaits only working in clear water is a complete myth.

[gobig]

I would try baits that are noisy, move a lot of water or both. You have quite a few options. Swimbaits, chatterbait, scrounger, speed trap, LV 500, A-rig just to name a few. Don't think that just because the water is cooler that you can't use faster moving baits. If you do have to go to finesse type baits like a senko. Try going larger than normal. It will move more water. Or on a dropshot go with something like a brushhog that moves more water. Just remember that the more subtle the bait the more casts you will have to make due to water clarity.

[TommyBass]

Thanks for the input guys, good discussion with a lot of great information!  I'm going to give some brighter colors a whirl and try a few other techniques out while I'm at it.

[BassinB]

chatterbait can be killer. Try dropshotting a small tube with a rattle stuck inside, this has won me some money before in situations like the ones your talking about.