Sight fishing

[Chris]

Clear water this is something that sends shivers down some tournament fishermen's spines. They hate it because under clear water conditions the bass can see every mistake you make. Stained to muddy water tournament fishermen feel they have an advantage because they can use lures that appeal to the other senses and can trick a bass to bite. Well, you might want to take another look at those visible "hard to catch bass."  I have a guy that I fish with a lot that hates clear water fishing. When I ask why he says its hard to catch a bass that you can see and clear water makes it hard to get fish to bite. The reality is he is to wrapped up in certain baits to give other techniques a try. To be truthful sometimes when everyone is out pounding the dirty water they left the clear water bass. This leaves an opportunity to catch fish that are less pressured. Sight fishing just means catching fish that you can see. They can be on beds, positioned on some sort of cover or just cruising around. It is not just limited to just bed fishing. Spooky fish can still be caught if given enough time to calm down. Some fish you can hang it up because they are wise to you. The first thing you need to pay attention to is your shadow. In the bass's world a shadow means that something is about to eat him. Even at a young age a bass has figured out that herrings are not their friend and a shadow means time to run for their life. Line of sight is another thing to keep in mind when approaching a sight fish. You need to understand that a bass can see above and in the water and all around almost a 75 degree span from in front to almost its tail. The blind spot is behind the fish. Anything thrown at its tail will spook the fish. Sight fishing is kinda like hunting you need to be stealthy to a degree. Don't wear loud colors that might bring attention to yourself. Don't bump your trolling motor or bang around in your boat if possible. Long casts are a myth in my opinion because if you are out of their line of sight you don't need one in most situations. In situations when there is no way to get out of the bass's line of sight then a long cast is a must. Boat positioning is critical to remain stealthy. The trick is to put the bait exactly where it is in front of the bass not at its nose. If your fishing a cruising fish you need to lead the fish. Depending on how shy the fish is to how far you need to lead it to catch it. What you want to do is work the bait when the bass is in the area of your bait to get its attention. You don't need to get wild at this stage of the game it just takes a shake or hop to stop the fish most of the time. Do a series or shakes at different intervals to tease the bass into taking the bait. I mentioned in a different post about a dropshot rig that works in this situation but you can use a tube, soft jerkbait, lizard, worm, or sweetbeaver anything that strikes your fancy they all work. The main thing is to draw attention to your bait rattles inside your bait will do the trick also. You also need to use a colors you can see and polarized glasses to see it with. Light line is preferred but the fluorocarbon line makes it easy to upgrade to heavier stuff. Wacky rigged senko's and worms are killer for sight fishing because you can work the bait in one spot. A cast is everything in sight fishing and can make or break you. Lure size can be another thing that can make or break you. Remember fish can see your mistakes so scale down. That slider worm, 3" and 2.5" tube, cuttail, 3 inch senko, fluke JR. are hard to beat when it gets tough.  

 

 

[paparock]

Hi, Chris. Thanks for that great post on clear water tactics. I am trying to learn to fish such a lake. Your explanation clicked my understanding. With most of my experience being saltwater I was puzzled. Clear water bass are a lot like bonefish in that they can be very spooky and boat position is critical. You want to see them before they see you. It is as you said like hunting fish and cast control is also critical. Cast behind and they are gone in a puff of sand. Your cast has to be close enough in front for them to see it but not to close or again they are gone. Thanks that makes it a lot clearer to me.

Rocky

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Another excerpt from "the book of Chris."

My primary honey hole is the clearest water in the state, clarity to 18-20ft, so I especially like this one.

I think we have such success with a finesse jig in this water due to it's size and profile.  I need to try throwing tubes in there more though.  Not just because of the last writting from "the book of Chris", but just because it fits in so many places, especially pertaining to clear water.  I only use them for bedding bass but next year I will be throwing them a bit more.

Thanks again for yet another quality post, I like it when you're up late