REALLY.... REALLY clear water

[rowyourboat]

went out today and struggled.... the water was very clear. im talking 15 ft viz. what do you guys do in conditions like this? The lake has a ton of grass in it also and a lot of flodded timber

[BASSclary]

IMO Light fluorocarbon line, small baits, natural colors.

[MMan16]

I've never fished water with 15ft visibility probably around 10 is the most i've seen. I will usually downsize whatever it is im using. Seems to work.

[aarogb]

Drop shot!!!  With 6 lb. FLOUROCARBON and a Roboworm in Aaron's Magic color.

[Boogey Man]

I fish one lake that is super clear. Visibility is 10-15 ft. I do pretty well with a split shot rig with a Zoom finesse worm. Also, try banging square bill crankbaits on the timber. A lot grass may call for a frog or even a buzzbait if you can get it through the grass. Jerkbaits are also a good choice, fish 'em fast and erratic to trigger a reaction bite.

[Tin]

Drop shot!!! With 6 lb. FLOUROCARBON and a Roboworm in Aaron's Magic color.

Yes, do this around all that flooded timber and heavy grass. ;D

Use all that grass to your advantage. If it is still green and not dying out yet like up here fish those edges and holes (inside in lower light and outside in bright conditions) with a jig, pegged t-rig brush hog or creature.

[NorcalBassin]

Get yourself a couple packs of Yamamoto single tail grubs in smoke and watermelon, rig them on 1/8 oz darterheads, work them slowly, and enjoy all the fish you'll catch.

8-)

[aceman387]

I fish a lot of strip mine pits that are deep and clear and have had my best luck with a 4"watermelon colored senko worm or yum dinger and a watermelon single tail grub rigged on a jig head and throw it out and jig it back in.I always use 10 # power pro braided line in the moss green color and have never had a problem catching fish even on flat calm sunny days with slow moving lures.Don't be afraid to try other colors because i have caught a lot of bass in the pits on black colored worms also.

[A-Jay]

I fish nothing but very clear water. This is what has worked for me.

Generally I have to fish Deeper. I try to fish the same type of cover in clear lakes as I do in lakes with less visibility. The difference is I can not see the structure I'm fishing in the clear lakes as it's often in 20-25 fow. Clearly fishing deep clear water is challenging. Most of the visible cover is fished heavily and may only hold fish during brief periods during early and late season cool water periods and at night in warm water periods. So I say, Go Deeper. Deep Crankbaits, Heavy Spinnerbaits, Swimbaits on a Jighead, Carolina rigged plastics and various heavier jigs are good tools for me.

Finding deeper structure is also a challenge but it's part of the game for me. Most of my better spots are not charted and ones I "found" either with electronics or by investigating new water with a deep running bait. I guard these spots and never fish them when in site of other anglers. But up here I usually have the lake to myself.

Last season I wore out a drop shot rig and had limited success on small to medium fish. This season I have fished the techniques mentioned above and have increased my average size fish considerably. Good Luck.

A-Jay

[Fishes in trees]

Just me, but I'd much rather fish trees than grass - go figger.  I know if I had a lake with lots of flooded timber and clear water, I would tie on some heavier fluorocarbon - 14 or 17 lb test and fish a wacky rigged senko on the shady side of every tree and bush I could find.

[Bankbeater]

If the grass is spreading out across the surface I park the boat in it so the fish can't see me. If there is nothing growing then I will make long casts, use natural colors, and hope for a little wind.

[WRB]

Don't let it bother you and remember what seasonal period you are fishing...fall transition.

The majority of SoCal lakes have clear water with good visibility down to 10 to 15 feet or more. Finesse fishing was developed for clear water; split shot, drop shot, dart heads, Gitzits, spider jigs with translucent color soft plastics. You can use 6 to 14 lb mono, FC or FC leader with super braid line, depending on the weight and size of your lures.

Another choice is fish during low light periods or night, clear water fishing excels during those times. Bright clear calm weather pushes the bass deeper. If you have a sonar unit, look at what depth the bait is at, the bass will be there.

WRB

[dockman]

I love using top water with fluorocarbon. Use yum money frogs, their great. I don't know if this is true but from what I've witnessed I think the fish can see the bait better and don't tend to swing and miss