How to Approach Cold, Muddy Water?

[MNBassAssassin34]

Hey there, 

I am in Minnesota, and right now the only place that is open for bass fishing is the Mississippi River. The visibility there is around 12", and the water is still extremely cold. I went out last weekend and water temps were about 40 degrees. Although I managed to catch a decent ~3 pounder, we only got one more bite in 6 hours. How would you guys approach these conditions? Which techniques would you recommend? Is it even worth the hour drive to the river, or should I wait until the water temperature warms up a bit?

Thanks!

[ww2farmer]

Cold muddy water is THE WORST.............if your dying to go fishing, don't let me talk you out of it, but when I am faced with cold muddy water, I either go looking for the cleanest water I can find............or the boat trailer. Usually I choose the boat trailer.

 

[JustinU1X]

I live in La Crosse and the Mississippi is still pretty frigid and muddy down here. Jigs (regular and finesse), worms, grubs, and hair jigs are on the go-to list at the moment. Might try yo-yoing a lipless crank if I'm really impatient. I'm excited to see some answers that I can utilize in my club tournament next week!

[MNBassAssassin34]

1 minute ago, JustinU1X said:

I live in La Crosse and the Mississippi is still pretty frigid and muddy down here. Jigs (regular and finesse), worms, grubs, and hair jigs are on the go-to list at the moment. I'm excited to see some answers that I can utilize in my club tournament next week!

I'm over by Rochester, MN but I have been getting the bass fever lately... I've never been down by the LaCrosse area, I've only been over by Wabasha and I plan on going over by Winona next time I go out. I have a smaller boat (14' Alumacraft with a 15hp engine) so I like to go to the spots with the smaller channels (i.e. the backwaters), not the big, wide, fast current of the main channel. Is there water my boat could handle down in that area?

[IndianaFinesse]

Try a chatterbait with a paddle tail trailer, it puts out more than enough noise, vibration, and pushes quite a bit of water.  Another good option is a bulky black and blue jig hopped and dragged across the bottom.

[Turtle135]

I second the chatterbait and dark colored jig approach as your one/two punch. 

Under those conditions pat yourself on the back for the 3 pounder and the other bite. Realistically down at that water temperature that is what you are fishing for over the course of a day (just a couple of bites). The positive is that you can also catch the biggest bass of the season (which is what keeps me fishing through the winter).

My personal experience in cold water is that a lot of lure changes never got me anywhere. I will stick with 2 or 3 proven presentations and just keep grinding. It is more about location and persistence.

Also, I think the backwaters would be the place to be right now. Bass will be looking to get out of current and if you can find banks that get the most sun you have tilted the odds in your favor.

Good luck! Hope you stick a big one.

[MNBassAssassin34]

2 hours ago, Turtle135 said:

I second the chatterbait and dark colored jig approach as your one/two punch. 

Under those conditions pat yourself on the back for the 3 pounder and the other bite. Realistically down at that water temperature that is what you are fishing for over the course of a day (just a couple of bites). The positive is that you can also catch the biggest bass of the season (which is what keeps me fishing through the winter).

My personal experience in cold water is that a lot of lure changes never got me anywhere. I will stick with 2 or 3 proven presentations and just keep grinding. It is more about location and persistence.

Also, I think the backwaters would be the place to be right now. Bass will be looking to get out of current and if you can find banks that get the most sun you have tilted the odds in your favor.

Good luck! Hope you stick a big one.

Thank you! Good advice. Tight lines!

[Ratherbfishing]

I approach it by going home, propping my feet up, and having a hot cup of coffee

[JustinU1X]

On April 8, 2016 at 10:48 PM, MNBassAssassin34 said:

I'm over by Rochester, MN but I have been getting the bass fever lately... I've never been down by the LaCrosse area, I've only been over by Wabasha and I plan on going over by Winona next time I go out. I have a smaller boat (14' Alumacraft with a 15hp engine) so I like to go to the spots with the smaller channels (i.e. the backwaters), not the big, wide, fast current of the main channel. Is there water my boat could handle down in that area?

One of the favorites on the Mississippi is Pool 5a.

(Pool 5a extends from Lock & Dam 5a located near Winona, Minnesota upstream to Lock & Dam 4 located near Whitman, Minnesota.)

A lot of the people in my club consider this one of the best sections of the Mississippi. It's great for both largemouth and smallies. It also happens to be by Winona. There's a main channel but there's enough backwaters including a couple bays for a smaller boat. It would also be a good time of year to fish those with this time of year and the current water temps.