When you hear people talking about leaving dirty water for clearer water how exactly can you  determined that do you just drive to that one spot and put your lure in the water and see how far you can see it go down? 

It's really that simple.  Clearer water is, clearer.

That's what I will do once i get to the spot I think should have cleaner water.

 

If its an area I not not very familiar with before I go out fishing I use google maps, it has a date slider so you can see satellite photos from different dates, I'll  use that and find out what water should be clean at certain times of of the year(I use this more when fishing river deltas).  Its not perfect, but it usually helps.

 

If its an area I fish often, I kind of what what areas should have cleaner water, depending on wind and tides.  

funny, i usually leave the clearer waters for cloudier waters.

On 10/3/2017 at 9:41 AM, J Francho said:

It's really that simple.  Clearer water is, clearer.

Notice the suffix "er" not necessarily the clearest!  ?

On 10/3/2017 at 10:20 AM, Troy1985s said:

it has a date slider so you can see satellite photos from different dates,

I didnt know that . 

yeah.  I should clarify a little more.  I don't know if google maps website has the slider, I installed Google Earth program on my computer.  It has the date slider, tools to measure distance, I can put pins to mark spots.  It really comes in handy. Best part is its all free.

I prefer plowable water to clear, it's easier to catch fish in poor visibilty.

49 minutes ago, Raul said:

I prefer plowable water to clear, it's easier to catch fish in poor visibilty.

You just pick them up laying on the mud.

Tom

Fishing from shore I have to deal with what it is. 

 

Clear water,

smaller sized natural colored baits fished faster.

 

Slightly Stained Water. ( this is brought up sometimes)

overlaps clear to stained water smaller sized baits in natural color and brighter colors. Fished faster and a tad slower.

 

Stained Water,

medium sized baits brighter color fished slower.

 

muddy water,

largest sized baits, brightest colors fished the slowest.

 

for my a bait having a rattle and using a scent is a plus. "Sometimes" it's the challenge that keeps me fishing. As to what will catch fish on this trip today. It's not always a given. What worked last year or yesterday isn't a given today. It's a new day and we're starting over. What's the water conditions on top might not be the water conditions as we go deeper in the water column. I figured this out, the water was slightly stained on top. No bait colors worked as I went deeper but I put on a firetiger I caught bass. My point is we can't plan out what the fish will strike. Be flexible try different baits and colors, then different presentations too. Don't be in a rush to fish and find yourself fishing too fast. Make the bait look like a easy meal. I like to move my blade baits just fast enough to make the blades spin. Just that little vibration and flash will attract them. If your not catching anything regroup and attack with different tactics. Don't give up.

try shallower baits that run above the sight line. Try deeper running baits below the sightline.

 

sightline,

above the sightline is where we can see the bait moving. The bass maybe aggressive and come up to strike it.

 

below the sightline is where the bait is out of our sight yet in the basses face and strike zone.

 

using a spinnerbait or inline spinner we can go fast or slow it down to work both sightlines. When in doubt try this.

 

im stuck with what water condition it is. Only our skills can make a difference. Sorry for the long post but it's all a tooth on a gear it all works together.

 

 

On 10/3/2017 at 10:41 AM, J Francho said:

It's really that simple.  Clearer water is, clearer.

Don't forget gin clear water? Lol

30 minutes ago, WRB said:

You just pick them up laying on the mud.

Tom

Tom I've seen the bellys of bass in the spring with mud on them. There might be some truth to what your hinting at.

1 hour ago, Troy1985s said:

Best part is its all free.

 

Not quite free. Every time you use a Google product they take a little piece of your soul.

I'm also in the leave clear water for dirty water group, with the exception of when the water is cold. Cold, muddy water is awful. 

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'm also in the leave clear water for dirty water group, with the exception of when the water is cold. Cold, muddy water is awful. 

Ditto

If I had a choice I'd much rather fish in stained tannic water than any other but there is one exception.The heavier the vegetation and the clearer the water is ideal for me.

The fish tend to be bigger and easier to pattern.

 

 

Mike