Quarries & Strip Pits - Lure Recommendations?

[AJ Hauser]

Hey fellas - happy Friday! Hoping to get some feedback on lures & presentations for ultra-clear water. I've searched the forum and found a few helpful older posts on fishing pits and clear lakes with steep banks & drop offs. Y'all have also been extremely helpful with my recent battery situation, and I really appreciate everyone that took the time to share a response. 

 

Here was that post: 

 

I've been having no luck fishing from the bank at my usual lakes this year. Decided to take the jon boat out after putting it off and looking deeper. Ended up fishing in a crystal clear quarry lake, which is beautiful, but very challenging. I'm really enjoying the challenge, but yesterday I saw darn near 100 bass up and down the sunny, steep shoreline and caught 10. I'm hoping to better attract these bass... because they are healthy, and this is a really cool location for Illinois!

 

 

Here's what's worked so far:

 

Water temp: 65°

Visibility: very high

Zara Puppy (small spook) - 3 largemouth

Powerbait Minnow (on a weedless jighead) - 4 largemouth

3" Dinger (under a float) - 7 largemouth

4" Ocho (under a float) - 2 largemouth

 

The float has mainly been trailing me while I cast the spook or jig, but so much of the shoreline drop is so steep that it's almost worthless unless I cast it and move it around, actively. Yesterday, casting at exposed root systems on steep banks resulted in the most fish, but I saw a TON of bass around the flats - problem is, they could see me. I've also seen many minnows up shallow. Yesterday was the first time one got coughed up on my shirt - not sure if this is a tiny crappie or green sunfish, or something else?

 

 

How would you guys attack a situation like this?

 

I'm considering wakebaits, tubes, small swimbaits on down-sized line, small erkbaits, Crickhoppers... but... I'm all over. What lures or presentations do you know of that could mimic the forage in that pic really well so that these bass - who have all day to inspect the bait even from yards away - will buy it? Or are there other baits that work well for you in similar situations?

 

I'm hoping to get out a few more times before winter shuts me down - any help would be very appreciated.

 

Thanks guys, Tight Lines & Godspeed! 

 

 

 

 

[J Francho]

I think your bang on with strategies and bait selection. I might add a popper to your top water game. Fishing at prime hours - dawn and dusk - is a must on clear lakes. Long casts and "fishing quietly" are also a must. Good luck. 

[FishTank]

I grew up fishing strip pits. There are several things to consider.... 

 

Cloud cover and wind can be your best friend. 

Being silent helps a lot. No trolling motor or electronics. Soft lure entry. 

Long casts with the lightest line you feel comfortable with. 

Multiple casts to the same spot, where you know there are fish, with different baits.

Throw something to make the fish angry.

 

As far as baits go, I like small jerkbaits, weightless Texas Rigged Senkos, and finesse jigs. I stay away from topwater unless its early in the day.  I have seen fish run away from topwater baits, even when it's several feet away. 

[AJ Hauser]

Thank you both so much! Hey @FishTank - I thought I noticed yesterday that my line was scaring the fish, if it landed anywhere near them (if I cast well past them, for instance, but the 8lb test fluoro landed right over where they were at). You ever notice this?

 

I have marked a few really good spots. Thinking about approaching them from the deep water instead of coming down the bank to them - and anchoring up so I can bomb some casts... what do you think? @J Francho thanks for the popper suggestion too - I need to work that in...

 

 

[J Francho]

Just now, AJ Hauser said:

I thought I noticed yesterday that my line was scaring the fish, if it landed anywhere near them (if I cast well past them, for instance, but the 8lb test fluoro landed right over where they were at). You ever notice this?

I have seen this too.  Other times, lure lands and they're already chasing it.

 

1 minute ago, AJ Hauser said:

Thinking about approaching them from the deep water instead of coming down the bank to them - and anchoring up so I can bomb some casts... what do you think? @J Francho thanks for the popper suggestion too - I need to work that in...

Yes, yes, yes, all of this.  

[FishTank]

3 minutes ago, AJ Hauser said:

Thank you both so much! Hey @FishTank - I thought I noticed yesterday that my line was scaring the fish, if it landed anywhere near them (if I cast well past them, for instance, but the 8lb test fluoro landed right over where they were at). You ever notice this?

 

@J Francho 

 

 

 

Definitely. Some lines, no matter how invisible it says it is, can gleam in sunlight.  You usually see bluegill tag line like this and bass run away. On the extreme end of this would be Stren Original Blue. Great line for everything except clear water, in my opinion.  I prefer gray or green lines when this happens but it could all just be in what I have confidence in. 

 

Another thing in clear, still water is, sound carries above and below. Popping your line hard can be like hitting a guitar string underwater. That too will spook fish or draw attention to your line.

[AJ Hauser]

16 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 

... sound carries above and below. Popping your line hard can be like hitting a guitar string underwater. That too will spook fish or draw attention to your line.

 

Thanks man - and ok, so this was something I was really worried about. I was coming through these areas fishing the walking bait, keeping my line low to the water and it would smack it or snap out of it every few twitches. I did this because TOPWATER - we're always supposed to start there... right?

 

... right?

 

Maybe... maybe I use the topwater if I'm moving TO one of the good areas I've marked, then I approach from deep water, anchor up and start to quietly cast?

 

The awesome thing about this is how difficult (or maybe a better term is just "different") it is. I love that. I'm getting beat up pretty good lately, but I love the challenge. 

 

[TnRiver46]

The only rock quarry I fish is loaded with dinks so they bite everything. There is another one close to home but it’s sketch to say the least, may try it one day with a sharp blade for personal protection haha

 

i always toss finesse worm on jighead and let it siiiinnnnkkkk waaaaaaayyyyy dooowwnnnn

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, AJ Hauser said:

 

Thanks man - and ok, so this was something I was really worried about. I was coming through these areas fishing the walking bait, keeping my line low to the water and it would smack it or snap out of it every few twitches. I did this because TOPWATER - we're always supposed to start there... right?

 

... right?

 

Maybe... maybe I use the topwater if I'm moving TO one of the good areas I've marked, then I approach from deep water, anchor up and start to quietly cast?

 

The awesome thing about this is how difficult (or maybe a better term is just "different") it is. I love that. I'm getting beat up pretty good lately, but I love the challenge. 

 

 

Small poppers have been good for me at some of the clear ponds and lakes I fished these past few years, more so than walk the dog baits and buzz baits when the water is calm early. 

 

There is another bait from Megabass that is a walk the dog type bait that is small but you fish it just 6in or so below the surface.  I think it's called the Karashi.  When I have  fished this bait first thing, I always catch something on it but usually within an hour or two the bite stops and I go to something else. 

[AJ Hauser]

Thanks again @FishTank - that bait looks worth a shot, I'd probably drop the dressed treble though. For whatever reason I never have much luck when I'm using those around here...

[FishTank]

2 minutes ago, AJ Hauser said:

Thanks again @FishTank - that bait looks worth a shot, I'd probably drop the dressed treble though. For whatever reason I never have much luck when I'm using those around here...

If you order this bait, you might want to keep the feathered treble. I think it helps balance the bait. 

 

Also, if topwater works well for you here are three other baits to look into. OSP Louder (small size), Megabass Baby Popmax, and the smaller sized Evergreen Shower Blows.  You will need either spinning gear or  a BFS setup to throw the first two.

[waymont]

I fish these kind of lakes a lot. Best baits are:

finesse jigs, shaky heads with worms, spinner baits, Neds, buzz baits, poppers

Check steep bluff walls and cat right on them and let your jig fall straight down to the bottom, work it back slooooooowly. Shaky heads also work the same way.

[papajoe222]

My home lake is a strip pit. I fish it on average twice a week during open water.  Tubes and hair jigs are my #1 producers. This summer I tried a Ned with good results. A split-shot finesse worm gets the nod when all they want is a bottom presentation.   My line of choice is the same as I use up north, 10lb fluoro leader to braid main line.  Faster moving hard baits will produce if conditions are right, but slow works 90% of the time, so I rarely bother with anything other than topwater.

Dead falls and that first ledge off the bank are the best cover and structure as there is only one flat in this pit.

[AJ Hauser]

7 hours ago, waymont said:

I fish these kind of lakes a lot. Best baits are:

finesse jigs, shaky heads with worms, spinner baits, Neds, buzz baits, poppers

Check steep bluff walls and cat right on them and let your jig fall straight down to the bottom, work it back slooooooowly. Shaky heads also work the same way.

 

I appreciate the tips, my fellow Illinoisan! 

 

2 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

...faster moving hard baits will produce if conditions are right, but slow works 90% of the time, so I rarely bother with anything other than topwater.

Dead falls and that first ledge off the bank are the best cover and structure as there is only one flat in this pit.

 

Thanks man - this sounds similar to where I'm at. One big flat, one big rock ledge, and a LOT of steep bank all around the rest of the 25 acre lake. I was actually wondering about the tubes and hair jigs... both seem like they should work and either is a confidence bait for me yet. How are you fishin' that hair jig?

 

Thanks guys. This is good stuff!

[BlakeMolone]

I would be tempted to throw a jerkbait but that’s been my solution for everything lately, dosent hurt that it actually works pretty well sometimes.

[papajoe222]

21 hours ago, AJ Hauser said:

How are you fishin' that hair jig?

 

 

I've gone from jigging it with short hops, to letting it sit after it hits bottom. It also works well just swimming it close to the bottom.  I'll try different retrieves until I find one that works.

I do two things to the jig; First, I run the tail section of a finesse worm up the hook shank to flare the hair. Second, I attach the jig to the mainline using a snap. That allows the jig to stand up at a 45-90 degree angle depending on whether the worm has salt or not.  The fish don't seem to be shy about the added hardware.  I guess I could use a loop knot to achieve the same results.

[AJ Hauser]

Awesome - thanks @papajoe222 - I have a few I think I need to dedicate more time to... have a great evening! 

[Munkin]

Jackal flick shake is the best bait I know of for fishing places like that.

 

Allen 

[AJ Hauser]

On 10/10/2022 at 8:26 PM, Munkin said:

Jackal flick shake is the best bait I know of for fishing places like that.

 

Allen 

 

Sweet - looking it up right meow. Have a great week!

[Jmontgomery87]

I fish a lot of strip pits with visibility varying from 2-10 ft depending on the pit. I would say most are around 6-8ft right now. Spooks, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, Texas rigged worms, and shakey head finesse worms have been working for me lately.

[WRB]

Clear water quarries can be a challenge using standard bass tackle during blue bird days. 

Night is very different, you can use several larger lures with baitcasting tackle.

Lots of experience fishing clear water quarry lakes catching bass wary from airborne predators. Shadows panic these bass that are always looking up for prey and predators.

My suggestion is use finesse spinning presentation during day light. I use 5 lb Maxima Ultra Green because it’s very strong, high abrasion resistant small .008D Copolymer line.

Lures like Lucky Craft SP Pointer, ghost and Iovino 1/4 oz Splash-It Assasin shad, 5” Senko can be fished on 8 lb mono.

Soft plastics BassTrix  Silverside is 1 1/2” or Kietech 2.8, Jackall 4.8 Flick Shake worm , Roboworms 5” straight tail, Iovino 3.5” Reaper, 4” Senko should be fished using 5 lb.

I would go with 1/8 oz drop shot and slip shot rigs, 3/32 oz ball head jigs. Rig the Flick Shake (watermelon candy) wacky on #1 drop shot hook or 3/32 jig. Reaper and Roboworms flat side up nose hooked #1 drop shot hook. 3/32 oz ball jig for Kietech and BrassTrix size 4 drop shot.

Tom

 

 

[Munkin]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

Clear water quarries can be a challenge using standard bass tackle during blue bird days. 

Night is very different, you can use several larger lures with baitcasting tackle.

Lots of experience fishing clear water quarry lakes catching bass wary from airborne predators. Shadows panic these bass that are always looking up for prey and predators.

My suggestion is use finesse spinning presentation during day light. I use 5 lb Maxima Ultra Green because it’s very strong, high abrasion resistant small .008D Copolymer line.

Lures like Lucky Craft SP Pointer, ghost and Iovino 1/4 oz Splash-It Assasin shad, 5” Senko can be fished on 8 lb mono.

Soft plastics BassTrix  Silverside is 1 1/2” or Kietech 2.8, Jackall 4.8 Flick Shake worm , Roboworms 5” straight tail, Iovino 3.5” Reaper, 4” Senko should be fished using 5 lb.

I would go with 1/8 oz drop shot and slip shot rigs, 3/32 oz ball head jigs. Rig the Flick Shake (watermelon candy) wacky on #1 drop shot hook or 3/32 jig. Reaper and Roboworms flat side up nose hooked #1 drop shot hook. 3/32 oz ball jig for Kietech and BrassTrix size 4 drop shot.

Tom

 

 

 

See the Flick Shake works on both of the countries coast for clear deep water.

 

Allen

[AJ Hauser]

On 10/24/2022 at 9:30 PM, Jmontgomery87 said:

I fish a lot of strip pits with visibility varying from 2-10 ft depending on the pit. I would say most are around 6-8ft right now. Spooks, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, Texas rigged worms, and shakey head finesse worms have been working for me lately.

 

Thanks man - we're at 53 degree water temps and I've seen a huge drop in topwater activity (for me at least) once we dipped below 60... not sure if that is normal, I'm new to keeping track of water temps. 

[Jmontgomery87]

We were at 60 degrees a few weeks ago so we're probably around the same temp. Almost every fish I've caught over the last 2 weeks has been on a Super Spook Jr. but they have all been within about 2 hours of dawn or dusk. Usually a slower retrieve with some pauses.

 

Got this 3lber this morning on one.

 

[AJ Hauser]

@Jmontgomery87 very nice!