Rapala Original in Murky Water

[RajaCon]

Hey folks!

 

So I've recently been back into fishing; I've fished three times in the past month or so (Raleigh, NC area). I have caught only one fish in the first two trips (each a Bass, about 2 pounds or so), and then almost hooked one in (or maybe it was a crappie or unusually large bluegill?) on the third trip. On all three occasions, the waters were murky, the temperature was around 85-90, it was about 9-10 in the morning, it was either overcast or partly cloudy, and I was throwing a Rapala Original Minnow in the Silver color! No need to tell me twice about experimentation versus what tends to be lure/color of choice in these kinds of conditions, but I would like some thoughts as to what may have triggered bites on this lure? I did not use any other lure prior to the strikes, and the two instances I did get a bite, the lure was up near the boat, and both times I got to watch the fish come up into the one foot of visibility and smack at it. 

 

Since the fish only hit once each time, what could I do to possibly improve the chances based on this Rapala? Go with a different color? Change to a Husky but keep the Silver? Maybe jump to a square-bill crank?

 

Thank you for any thoughts!

 

Tyler

[Raul]

My very first bass ever came out of a pond with water so muddy you could literally plow it and with a bait now I would hardly recommend for fishing those conditions, an original Rapala minnow size 7 black back silver sides. Bass don't need to see the bait in order to find it, bait color in those circumstances matters little, it's  more important you help the fish to find the bait with other than visual clues. 

[davecon]

I’m in Florida and while the water may not be what you consider muddy a lot of places the water is stained with tannic acid. Can be anywhere from strong tea to weak coffee, sometimes downright black. The water doesn’t necessarily have particles floating around in it although it might, it’s just really dark. A gold Rapala with a black back seems to work best for me. I won’t bore you with my theories on why, just letting you know what works for me.

[Spankey]

I couldn't tell you what triggered the strikes. Can only tell you that it is a great lure. I still throw it. First lure as a kid. I use a size 9 and 11 for the most part. My home section of the river I Smallie fish has its share of Muskie in it and they love this lure also. I'm a fan of the jointed version. Gold w/ black back is my favorite. I'm in stained water the majority of the time.