Clear water fishing scares a lot of people! Unless you’ve had a lot of rain, a lot of our fisheries get clear this time of year. When that visibility increases a lot of anglers lose confidence in their ability to catch bass. Maybe the fish see the line, maybe they see you, what can you do to keep catching them? Its not as tough as you think, and the answers may be VERY DIFFERENT than what you’re expecting!
“Clear Water” doesn’t always mean 10 or 20 feet of visibility, this can even happen when your fishery is usually muddy and suddenly has 2 or 3 feet of visibility. Step one is to stay very quiet. Don’t make excess noise, avoid vibrations, and you’ll get more bites. Step two, target the visibility line (AKA “color line”). Step three is to use lighter line for finesse techniques. If you’re not going lighter, go faster, that keeps the fish from having time to inspect your offering. Step four, shade and wind are your friend. Focus on dark edges that fish can use to ambush food, or days when waves are breaking up the overall visibility.
Below you’ll find links to our favorite baits for clear water situations. Yes, finesse is key, but don’t be afraid to mix in reaction and target those bigger fish in clear water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We’ve also included a couple of our favorite finesse fishing rod and reel combos in case you want to expand into this style of fishing.
Dropshot…
Bait- Smallie Smasher 3.5″: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY
Color: Green pumpkin Purple
Hook- Owner Mosquito Light Size 2: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3
Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx
Crankbait…
-Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX
Colors: Ghost Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw
-Spro RKCrawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t
Colors: Phantom Green, Red Crawfish
Swimbaits…
Bait #1- Keitech 4.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl
Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
Bait #2- Megabass Spark Shad 3″: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4
Colors: Real, Albino, Silver Shad
Head- Megabass Okashira Head 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA
Bait #3- Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad
Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
Bait #4- Dark Sleeper 3″ 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT
Colors: Haze, Wakasagi, Donko
Favorite Chartreuse and Blue Baits…
-Keitech 4.8″ Fat Swing Impact (Chart Blue): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
-Megabass Deep X 300 (Biwako See Through Chart): http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt
Polarized Glasses…
-Eye Surrender ESE: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
(Amber for Sight Fishing, Grey For All-Around Use)
Amazing All-Around Finesse Combo…
Rod- G Loomis NRX 852S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv
Reel- Shimano Twin Power 3000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5
Line- Sunline SX-1 Braided Line 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ
Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Budget Finesse Combo…
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7’6″ Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn
Reel- Shimano NASCI 3000: http://bit.ly/2g278cC
Line- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
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Want TacticalBassin Apparel?
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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Major Equipment We Use Daily…
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
Favorite Tools and Gear…
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2MpUBEr
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/2JyvFJI
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#bassfishing #clearwater #finesse
