Playing in the mud

[Q]

Fishing in muddy waters is very difficult, I know. For most part I avoid it. But if you go all the way to dam and find it is muddy you going to give it a try.

As it was yesterday. We were 6 guys who have all been fishing for a while and none of us could not even entice a bite. I think between the 6 of of us, we've thrown the entire catalog of a bass fishing shop out there.
The water was the colour of strong tea with milk.

I have a few ideas about what to use (and didn't work), so I'm asking you how would you fish in muddy water?

[Kassie]

How to fish muddy water....

1. Carolina rigged platanna

2. Earthworm on a float

3. Texas rigged strawberry mielie

:blue-lol:

[Scottydog]

How to fish muddy water....

1. Carolina rigged platanna

2. Earthworm on a float

3. Texas rigged strawberry mielie

:blue-lol:

That made my day!!!! :blue-badgrin:

[Q]

LOL
That has crossed our minds!

[Ernst]

With all the rain we got on the south coast this past season that was like every weekend's story but what i have found your junebug coulors do the trick and jigs with rattles carolina rigs with glass beads and dip n glo helps the bass to locate your lure.

[BassBaas]

I would suggest noisy and darker lures tight against the cover if fishing plastics.
My first choice would be to pitch a chartreuse spinnerbait against the visible cover and make sure that it makes contact with the cover, the fish will be holding on closely and sitting tight against stumps and rocks etc.

[bigbassboy]

a big suspending jerkbait and almost twitch it instead of jerk it and twitch it 3 times and let it sit for about 3 seconds.

[Brenden]

Q, this should make you feel better, COLD and muddy water is the most difficult situation to fish. I had a largemouth bass in a tank for 2 years and I studied that fish. I fed it live gold fish and on some days in winter those gold fish would live in harmony with the bass for a week on end. he would just lie under a log and watch them frolic all around him right past his nose at times. So your little plastic or jig or whatever we throw at them will have no effect on the bass if they are in this lethargic mood. This was in clear water so you can imagine what happens when you throw mud into the equation. not saying you cant get a bite under these circumstances, but geesh you might have to do a few trips to get one to bite.
the other problem in the WC is that we are so far south and barometric changes are happening much more frequently even if the cold front passes south of us and that also influences the bass. Up north the cold fronts have less impact and the barometric changes are not so hectic and influential and there water temps don't go down as low as ours. Hence the reason for emptying your tackle box, throwing the book and not getting bit.
so rather catch trout or watch rugby

[dreamfish]

I believe Brenden is spot on here. You know when you work very likely spots hard with suitable baits and not a nibble, the fish are just not hungry or willing to bite. :blue-doubt:

[Q]

I mostly did try Junebug and other dark colours. Pitching deep into pockets and hitting rock faces and let it drop. Let the bait soak, etc.
Also jigging tree stumps and in or around edges of lilly pads.

I know winter fishing is difficult. Normally I take a sabbatical from fishing in winter, but I am fishing through to learn more about winter fishing. So far was not very successful (shut up, Jim).

And yes, the mud did not help at all.

Thanks Brenden. Interesting about the Bass and goldfish. I think I should also get a bass in a tank.

[plasticman]

Hi Q,which dam did you fish?

[Mick]

Fish will feed with their lateral line in very dirty water so your baitt needs to remain where the vibrations came from. Baits that move a lot of water or rattle should work. Nice and slow

[Riprap]

Hey Mick, cool avatar.......!

I was about to write from what I've read and studied and after a quick look, found this nice little summary about the combination of senses used for feeding:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fishingandhuntingconnection.com/articles/scents.html">http://www.fishingandhuntingconnection. ... cents.html</a><!-- m -->

Water temps, metabolism, pressure variations, etc are of course more important and differ from water to water. I have also carried on fishing through into winter for smallies, largies and trout but without much success. :blue-sad:

[Riprap]

Download Moonphase 3.3 and set the lat/long for your area and click to show best fishing days as well - the "Solunar" theory at work........... :blue-rolleyes:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://moonphase.en.softonic.com/">http://moonphase.en.softonic.com/</a><!-- m -->

[dreamfish]

Thanks for the links Rip. What's the story behind your avatar????? :blue-question: