How the heck can i tell the water clarity and decide the best bait color for it. I hear it all the time but have never known how to determine it.

I've heard of different views on this. The one that makes most sense to me is that if you can see a white lure at 18" depth, the water is clear, 12" the water is stained, less equals muddy. But I guess you could apply your own standards as you fish more.

All i can tell you is how i normally go about it. I try and keep it simple. In murkey water(all i ever really fish) I fish junebug, blacks, blues andmaybe red. If it's darker than the water, it's easier to see supposedly. Whatever, i have confidence believing that. Then the few chances i do get to fish clearer waters, i'll use greens and browns. Then as all-time quarter back, white, chrome and chartreuse colors.  I've always done just fine narrowing it down this way

take a glass jar and scoop some water , hold to the light , if you can see through it clearly its clear, if it looks like sweet tea its stained , if it looks like black coffee, its muddy. ..the darker the water- the darker the lure.

take a glass jar and scoop some water , hold to the light , if you can see through it clearly its clear, if it looks like sweet tea its stained , if it looks like black coffee, its muddy. ..the darker the water- the darker the lure.

I like that.