I read somewhere once that throwing a jerkbait should only be used if the water clairty is decently clear. Is this true?

What would be the minimum visabilty to throw a jerkbait to be very effective?

Also what would be a better alternative to throw for cold water pre spawn bass to cover water and locate bass?

Thanks!

Pick you colors and finishes wisely. You should be fine no matter the water clarity.

I caught my first bass ever with a Rapala Original Floating minnow silver black back in a pond where the water was so muddy you could literally plow it, it had about an inch of visibility. The fish do not need to see the bait in order to bite it, other senses take over to compensate for the lack of visibility.

I have been slaying fish on a #8 Rapala Xrap in a minnow pattern in ponds with a visibility of less than a foot. Fish are not very good readers so there are no set rules. 

It is a visual presentation, I've had success with them in 2' of water clarity but they really shine in clear water with 3' or more visibility. You will run into guys that have had success in dirty water, but very few will have that success on a consistent basis, it is usually when you happen to be on fish rather than searching. In water with about 1' to 1.5' visibility I was using an X-Rap in clown color and working the bait aggressively, the water temp was 54 degrees and I was hammering big smallmouth but out of the dozens of times I've tried it, I can honestly say that there were 3 times in which I had what I would call good results.

Tag.

3 hours ago, juicebass said:

I read somewhere once that throwing a jerkbait should only be used if the water clairty is decently clear. Is this true?

What would be the minimum visabilty to throw a jerkbait to be very effective?

Also what would be a better alternative to throw for cold water pre spawn bass to cover water and locate bass?

Thanks!

I think it depends on your water clarity to begin with. Being up here in Michigan and having ultra clear water I would not throw a jerkbait in dirty water. But if your water is already tinted to begin with it may not matter to the fish. For a jerkbait to be most efficient fish should be able to see it effectively and that has different meanings depending on where you live.

I was fishing muddy water Sunday. Visibility was the worst I've ever seen at Candlewood. I was getting them on a Table Rock shad pattern. Me personally the dirty water gets the super bright on sunny days or very dark colors on overcast days, the cleaner the water the more translucent I go. Other good baits are shallow running crankbaits and soft jerkbaits. Jigs are always good. Spinnerbait if they are chasing bait. C Rig dragging a tube, fluke or craw imitation. 

Muddy water...spinner bait, chatter bait or square bill. Stained water 1 foot of visibility or better clown, table rock shad, black back painted white sides. Clear water natural colors like black/chrome, blue/chrome, ito wagasaki....but I've also caught them really good in gin clear water om table rock shad!!!