Fishing in muddy water is tough but not impossible if you are prepared. Bass is relatively slow in muddy, cold water and not very interested in feeding. The low visibility also makes it hard for anglers to make out bass.
So, where does bass go when the water is muddy? The bass will move into very shallow water in muddy and cold conditions. Bass is ambush predators with a very aggressive nature, and they love the cover, regardless of water conditions. Staying hidden in murky water gives the bass an opportunity to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Read on to learn more about muddy water bass fishing. We’ll share some tips to catch bass in cold water and help you pick the best lure for muddy water fishing.
How Do You Catch Bass in Muddy Cold Water?
Traditional bass winter locations such as steep drops and near schools of baitfish still apply in muddy waters. However, you should look for bass in shallower waters nearby, especially if the sun shines.
Bass prefers shallow in freezing water, and this is the most likely place you’ll find them in muddy and dirty waters. Prime bass locations are shallow waters along stream channel bends and rock banks.
Dealing with muddy water conditions and cold weather means you’ll need to fish slowly. Use a spinnerbait with large blades that create constant rotation even at the slowest motions.
If the water you’re fishing in isn’t extremely muddy, take advantage of increased visibility by using chartreuse or a fluorescent red blade. Cast your bait on the edges of creeks or small depressions since these are the places bass prefer hiding in under muddy and cold conditions.
Tips For Fishing in Muddy Cold Water
Whether you are a pro or a beginner angler, here are some helpful tips for catching bass in cold and muddy water:
Go for Noise & Vibration
The best lures for dirty water fishing create sounds or vibrations. While the bass is sight feeders, they also use their lateral lines to discover movement in the water, especially in dirty water. Spinnerbaits, wobbling jigs, and other vibration-producing lures are a great choice.
Slow Down
When the water gets cold, the bass isn’t as active as before, and their feeding activities slow down. As their metabolism slows, the bass is mostly waiting for an easy meal that won’t put much of a fight or require chasing.
Focus on Shallower Areas
During winter, you can still find bass in locations like steep drops and near schools of baitfish. However, you should focus on shallower areas nearby. In frigid and muddy waters, bass tends to prefer very shallow areas.
Create a Pattern
Before changing your position, cast the lure to specific areas several times from different angles. Try to get the bait as close to the bass as possible to encourage it to bite.
Look for Clearer Water
After the rain, the dirty water will come from upstream, meaning that the muddiest water will be at the creek’s estuary mouth. The best spot for bass fishing would be the lake’s opposite side, where the muddy water hasn’t arrived yet.
Catch the Afternoon Sun
Hours between 2 p.m. and sunset are the best for cold-water bass fishing. At these times, the sun has warmed the water, making the baitfish active. This encourages the bass to move around, looking for food.
What Is the Best Bass Bait for Muddy Water?
The best bait to catch bass in muddy water will attract the bass’s attention with color and/or vibration. Here are several effective options:
- Spinnerbait: These types of baits create different levels of vibration and flash that mimic small fish or other prey. Spinnerbaits are designed to attract predatory fish, like bass, by activating their lateral line system.
- Crankbait: This particular type of fishing bait usually features a plastic lip that plunges underwater when reeled. Crankbaits are made of rugged ABS plastic in the shape of crawfish or baitfish.
- Bladed Swim Jig: The bladed swim jig features a plastic swimming lip, and lower head position, and is a must-have bass lure. This bait pushes a lot of water and moves slower than other bladed jigs, which makes it ideal for bass fishing in cold water.
- Jigs: These are one of the simplest and most popular fishing lures. They feature a jighead, hook, and body made of soft plastic or other material.
What Color Should Bass Bait Be Thrown in Muddy Water?
Bait manufacturers create an outstanding array of lures in all imaginable colors. There is no shortage of colorful options that you can use in any water condition.
White and chartreuse are the best lure colors for fishing bass in muddy water. These colors work great in dirty waters and low light conditions when it’s clear that the fish won’t rely on its vision as the primary means of locating the lure.
Chartreuse is a distinctive color that can be discerned in muddy and dirty water.
When white isn’t available, pearl-colored lures are a great alternative. Soft-bodied lures that feature pearl bodies and chartreuse tails or chartreuse-colored jigheads are an excellent choice for bass fishing. A touch of sparkle or iridescence can also work some magic in muddy waters.
Conclusion
No angler wants to be found fishing cold and muddy waters. However, if you have a nine-to-five job, cold and muddy conditions are something you won’t be able to avoid altogether.
Cold and muddy water is undoubtedly the worst set of conditions you can fish in. However, you can use these conditions in your favor and catch a bass. Target shallows and use brightly colored crankbait or spinnerbait lures to get bass interested in biting.