How to fish big swimbaits in deep clear water?

[BrianMRetter]

 

Hey guys. My honey hole is a 25 acre stone quarry (25-65' deep). The only real structure is 90 degree ledges that drop from 3' straight straight to the bottom. The water is gin clear, most days I can make out the bottom in the 25' areas.

 

I've had good luck catching lots of 1.5lb largemouth on Keitech Swing Impact Fats (4.8"), but I'm wanting to target the bigger fish. I have a Huddleston Deluxe 68 Special & Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill/Ultimate Shad swimbaits. The only real cover are a few completely submerged trees that only have the trunk and main branches left. I haven't scanned with my electronics yet so there could easily be more structure/cover, but being a stone quarry I am doubtful. 

 

My question is, how do I use these big swimbaits? I have the right rod/reel/line but I really have no idea how to fish these lures. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[IndianaFinesse]

They are pretty easy to use, a steady retrieve with a pause or a quick speed change once a retrieve to trigger followers works well.

 

Every quarry has ramps constructed for the machinery to drive in and out of the hole on, the fish will use those roads to travel from deep to shallow.  Make sure to check those out as they as often the best structures in quarries and pits.

[BrianMRetter]

I didn't even think about ramps! I'm sure they're submerged in there, I just have to find them. Thanks!

[WRB]

When you locate the road beds fish the deep side edges, the break line.

Most rock quarry bass use the perimeter walls as kill zones because most of their prey souce is located along the walls.

Don't over look rats at dusk and night.

Since the bass tend to roam along the perimeter walls you should be casting paralell to those walls completely around the quarry. Make a long cast and let it sink a count to determine the depth you are working. ROF 12 Hudd 68 sinks 10' in 30 seconds.

Cast and retreive at a steady slow swimming pace. If you feel a bump reel faster for about 3 to 4 cranks, then resume your retrieve. Simple and effective.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

Run a surface wake bait like a rat or Slammer along those drop off edges, and over the laydowns, even if they're in deep water. In clear water situations, a big fish will move a long distance for what it perceives as a slow moving big meal. If nothing else, it will be a good way to get a big fish to show itself so you know where they live. 

[BrianMRetter]

Thanks for all the answers guys! I'm going out Friday afternoon/evening so I'll let you know how it goes.