Hey guys what kind of water clarity do you look for when deciding to throw a swimbait? I am talking about smaller ones like a 4-6in keitech. I would like to try them, but my waters are not really all that clear, so I wanted to get some input from you guys before picking some up. Thanks!

Any clarity. 

If you feel more comfortable with throwing brighter colors in murky water, then go for it.

Personally, I'd throw any color still.

I usually only throw them in really clear water, but that doesn't mean they won't work in dirty water. I really don't have a lot of confidence with small swimbaits in stained water. Usually just throw a chatterbait, spinnerbait, or something else with a little more "presence". I could see myself trying it on tough days though.

The bass find and eat small baitfish in off color water, use colors that are close to the bait.

Tom

i use the yum money minnows in off colored water and had good success.  My only guess is that the thumping of the tail is really what they are keying in on and not color.

The wide wobble, and strong smell of the Swing Impact Fats should draw in fish, whatever the water clarity is. Strong color also helps . 

Same rules apply to swimbaits as to other baits. Clear water= natural colors more subtle presentations. Colored or stained water= brighter colors, more aggressive presentations. Water temp is also a factor, but overall, paddle tails in warmer stained water. Like others said, bass will not have a problem finding Keitech's design and thumping paddle tail.

If the water's shallow, like near the shoreline, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. During the summer, especially after a rain, when there's runoff, they're deadly around drainage culverts, no matter how murky the water is.

Thanks for all the replies guys! I have never thrown any type of soft swimbait so I dont really know anything about them. So how do you usually rig them? I like the jig head with an exposed hook in theory so Ill have the best chance of hooking up with a fish and increasing my confidence, however id like some input as to what you would recommend a beginner start with? thanks!

Soft paddletail swimbaits can be fished in 'any' water clarity.
I normally rig a Gambler Big EZ on a 1/4 oz keel-weighted swimbait hook.

The swimbait will run just a few inches below the surface, but when plowing thru heavy cover (where it belongs)

it'll sporadically break the surface. Fished in this manner, paddletail swimbaits really excel in murky water.

 

Roger

Any clarity.

If you feel more comfortable with throwing brighter colors in murky water, then go for it.

Personally, I'd throw any color still.

x2

I fished a local pond last summer with my son,the water is always darker than dark.Lol.He was throwing a cheap wal mart swimbait,A bass about 7-8 lbs., nailed it.Just a little bit out of my reach with the net,the bass threw the hook.

Throw a swimbait with a good tail thump and you will be fine in murky water.  And like mentioned, throw it on a weighted wide gap hook.   Unless you are in open water, then you can get away with the regular jighead.  

Thanks for all the replies guys! I have never thrown any type of soft swimbait so I dont really know anything about them. So how do you usually rig them? I like the jig head with an exposed hook in theory so Ill have the best chance of hooking up with a fish and increasing my confidence, however id like some input as to what you would recommend a beginner start with? thanks!

 

Get some 3/8 oz chatterbaits with silver blades and take the skirt off. Then put your Keitech on the back and throw it that way. I don't even throw spinnerbaits or swimjigs anymore, I just throw this and it works great. Most bass haven't seen anything like it. It comes through cover awesome and has an erratic action to it. I think you will catch your fair share of fish if you try it out!

Thanks for all the responses guys I really appreciate it! I will also for sure try rigging it up on a chatterbait!

Thanks for all the responses guys I really appreciate it! I will also for sure try rigging it up on a chatterbait!

x2