Clear, Stained, Murky

[FunkJishing]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[F14A-B]

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]

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]

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]

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]

1.  

   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]

This is an ancient old lure and one extra "blade" that I've had for 30 some years.  Colorado shaped in a tear drop design.  The blade is hollow with rattles inside.  I got this lure from my old partner Mike when he and I started fishing tournaments on the Grand River which has about the same visibility you mention.

 

 

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

 

- 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]

Clear: vodka

Stained: tea

Murky: black tea

Muddy: coffee with cream.

[FunkJishing]

_{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]

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]

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.