Each spring, my favorite impoundment gets a massive influx of cold muddy water. I always have trouble during this period. I"ll normally fish rattling jigs, or spinnerbaits, or rattletraps when this happens, but I struggle alot. What would you suggest for these conditions?

Archer

Cold and muddy are bad words lol makes fishing stink. Find a place on the lower end that wouldn't be as muddy if you get lucky you might find a cove that might be clear. Try to find the warmest muddy stuff as you can or less muddy water.

You can also look for little cuts and coves that are out of the main current. They can also be a little clearer.

I don't know where you are but cold and muddy is as bad as it gets so I would try to find the clearest, warmest water on your lake. If that is no good then I would find a different lake until yours clears up.

Each spring, my favorite impoundment gets a massive influx of cold muddy water. I always have trouble during this period.

Cold and muddy, that's a Double-Whammy!

The big problem is the locational dilemma that this creates.

Cold water can sometimes be alleviated by moving 'upstream' in a manmade lake,

toward the headwaters. In contrast, muddy water is normally alleviated

by moving 'downstream' toward the dam, where sedimentation is more mature.

It's a judgment call for sure, but I personally would put Temperature ahead of Visibility.

To that end, it might be better to focus on the upper third of the impoundment

in search of the clearest creek arm. If you get lucky you might even find a "mud-line".

Equally important, in both muddy and cold water it's vital to fish S-L-O-W.

I agree with everyone else, try to find any water that is clearer and/or warmer.  I would slow-roll a big chartreuse, white, or black spinnerbait with a big single colorado blade.

ps. Awesome avatar(s) RoLo! ;D Keep 'em coming!

Cold muddy water is about as bad as it gets. But when fishing those conditions try to use bigger lures, slow down the retrive, brighter colors, use rattles and fish tighter to cover.

and this article might help

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/muddy_water_bass_fishing.html