With near record setting rainfall this year in Georgia the lakes have become and remain pretty stained up this winter . Comparing notes with local fishing buddies we came up with a target list of lures to focus on for these conditions (stained water , water temps in the low to mid 50's) :

 

1) . Black & Blue Football Jig / Yum Christie Craw or SK Rage Tail Craw Trailer

2) . Spinner Bait (one to two thumping Colorado gold blades) 3/8th to 3/4th oz. in Black & Blue or White / White - Chartreuse

3) . Scrounger 3/8th to 3/4th oz. White Zoom Super Fluke

 

*Based on the above conditions outlined - what would be your choices you would be throwing ?

1. Jerkbait 

2. Jig

3. Crankbaits

4. Trickworm shakyhead 

 

Those are my go to's for winter in Ga. Water clarity will dictate the color of the baits. But I'm gonna throw baits that I have confidence in until the bass refuse to munch on them!

 

I don't mind the pond and lakes being stained, but I'm bout sick of the rivers being out of the banks. All this rain has ruined river fishing for awhile... 

Bass in off colored water are lateral line feeders, throw lures than make noise & move water.

 

Jigs: Lunker Lure Triple Rattleback Jigs

Trailer: Ragetail Lobster 

 

Spinnerbait: Stanley Vibra Wedge, Double Gold Willowleaf, white/chartreuse, 1/2 oz

 

Texas Rig: Lake Fork Tackle's Worm, Blue Bruiser

 

Rat-L-Trap Toledo Gold 1/2 oz

 

Jerkbait: Smithwick Rattlin Rogue, gold, black back, orange belly

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Bass in off colored water are lateral line feeders, throw lures than make noise & move water.

 

Jigs: Lunker Lure Triple Rattleback Jigs

Trailer: Ragetail Lobster 

 

Spinnerbait: Stanley Vibra Wedge, Double Gold Willowleaf, white/chartreuse, 1/2 oz

 

Texas Rig: Lake Fork Tackle's Worm, Blue Bruiser

 

Rat-L-Trap Toledo Gold 1/2 oz

 

Jerkbait: Smithwick Rattlin Rogue, gold, black back, orange belly

Catt, you're giving up ALL my La fishing trip secrets!!  Especially the spinnerbait and jerk bait!!

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Bass in off colored water are lateral line feeders, throw lures than make noise & move water.

 

Jigs: Lunker Lure Triple Rattleback Jigs

Trailer: Ragetail Lobster 

 

Spinnerbait: Stanley Vibra Wedge, Double Gold Willowleaf, white/chartreuse, 1/2 oz

 

Texas Rig: Lake Fork Tackle's Worm, Blue Bruiser

 

Rat-L-Trap Toledo Gold 1/2 oz

 

Jerkbait: Smithwick Rattlin Rogue, gold, black back, orange belly

Side note: Stanley wedge is the most underrated spinner bait on the market. It’s been my go to for many years

2 hours ago, GReb said:

Side note: Stanley wedge is the most underrated spinner bait on the market. It’s been my go to for many years

 

Many anglers think Colorado blades have more thump & flash... wrong!

7 hours ago, Catt said:

Bass in off colored water are lateral line feeders, throw lures than make noise & move water.

 

Jigs: Lunker Lure Triple Rattleback Jigs

Trailer: Ragetail Lobster 

 

Spinnerbait: Stanley Vibra Wedge, Double Gold Willowleaf, white/chartreuse, 1/2 oz

 

Texas Rig: Lake Fork Tackle's Worm, Blue Bruiser

 

Rat-L-Trap Toledo Gold 1/2 oz

 

Jerkbait: Smithwick Rattlin Rogue, gold, black back, orange belly

X2.

 

Remember, vision is the bass's number one method of catching their food with the lateral line feeling vibrations second.

 

I like the 1/2 ounce Hank Parker spinnerbaits in heavy stained water along with the Rat-L-Trap and a 2.5 KVD crankbait.

 

Have not had much luck with the jerkbait or jigs.

Spinnerbait

3 hours ago, Sam said:

Remember, vision is the bass's number one method of catching their food with the lateral line feeling vibrations second

 

When their vision is limited then the lateral line becomes #1 ?

12 hours ago, Catt said:

 

When their vision is limited then the lateral line becomes #1 ?

Right. And it is mind boggling that so many bass guys and gals don't know this.

 

These individuals continue to throw plastics.

 

At least try a Silver Buddy dangling over the side and being pulled up and down.

Also mind boggling how poorly understood the lateral line function(ing) is among anglers... ?

Care to share some knowledge? Where can one learn more about lateral line function? I know a little, but would like to learn more.

Simply put - the lateral line works kind of like sonar, but without the emitting part. It receives info on water pressure and movement. Even in pitch-black water, by sensing minute vibrations in the water that it recognizes as belonging to baitfish, a Bass - or any other predatory fish including sharks - can target them strictly on that info...no visual sense needed.

 

This is why vibrating lures work so well in stained/dark water...the bass senses it and it's close enough to the vibrations produced by baitfish, that it strikes at the 'food' even without a visual signal.

 

<- Aquatic Biology major in College

Silver Buddy/blade bait