Refine Your Tactics for Clear Water Conditions
Justin Hoffman

Water conditions are a fact of life for any angler and, whether good or bad, are ultimately out of our control. But by changing the way we think and act out on the boat can put the odds in our favor – and a sweet pull on the line.  Clear water comes with its own set of rules. Fish can be finicky, spook easily, or drop down deep. Learning to adapt is a key concept that can greatly increase fishing success during these times – and help you overcome the clarity conundrum.

Clear Water Concerns
Clear water can be enjoyable to fish in. Visibility is greatly enhanced, sight fishing becomes a possibility, and watching and interpreting your lure or bait is much more feasible. But with these luxuries come some negatives. Fish are able to inspect your lure much more intently. The same goes for line. They can be skittish or spook easily, both by errant casts or angler and boat movement.

Seeking shelter or sulking down deep is also a common occurrence, especially on days when the sun is up high and shining or from an increase in angler pressure. All of these ‘negatives’ can be rectified, however, by making some minor adjustments.

Downsize Baits
Big, flashy lures certainly work well in stained or muddy water conditions, but small is the word when working the clear stuff. Since fish can thoroughly inspect a lure when visibility is great, give them something that looks unnatural and they will almost certainly shy away from it.

A downsized bait will not only appear more life-like in the water, but its action and motion will be much more natural. This is key to getting bit.

Mini crankbaits, micro plastics and thin profile baits all work well under these conditions. In terms of bass, tossing a 2” jerkbait, small tubes or lizards, or even dragging a drop shot rig with a pint-sized bait will up your odds for getting bit.  For northern pike, a 4” soft stick bait, tube jig or downsized bucktail are excellent options. Whatever you normally use, get in the habit of dropping down a size or two. It will make all the difference.

Color is Key
Natural hues work best when working clear water as they lend themselves to a more natural appearance. Try your best to imitate the color of prey in the lures you choose, whether it is the brown and orange of a crawfish, or the white of a shad. Turn over rocks or check for ‘coughed-up’ prey in your livewell. Matching the hatch is the best way to dial in what the fish want.

In my experience, a handful of colors seem to work best when plying clear water – black, brown, white, gray, smoke, silver, and green pumpkin. Bright and gaudy hues are best saved for the muddy stuff, when fish need that extra incentive to find a bait and strike.

Turn To Livebait
What better way to catch finicky fish than with Mother Nature’s very own kind. For those days when you can’t buy a clear water fish, give live bait a try. Worms, minnows, leeches, crawfish, or frogs – if these treats can’t fool a fish, chances are nothing will. Choose light wire hooks in the smallest size you can get away with in order to keep the presentation as natural as possible. Circle hooks work well with many live baits and diminish the chance of gut-hooked fish.

Although there are many techniques to present livebait, utilizing a slip float seems to work best for me. Depth can be easily adjusted to meet changing conditions and your bait is always presented in a life-like manner.  (Please check for specific rules and regulations before using live bait – each region or lake is different.)

Line Consideration
The line you choose can make a difference in clear water, mainly because fish can spot it more easily. Fluorocarbon line is an excellent choice for these conditions, as it becomes virtually transparent when viewed below the waters surface. Many anglers are using a fluoro leader (three to four feet) that is tied to their main backing of mono or braid – this can save you a considerable amount of money over the course of a season. Ensure knots are snug and secure, and alter your leader length in terms of the clarity or depth of the water you are fishing.

For those that aren’t big on change, mono line is still a good choice, but a downsized version is imperative. Drop from 10lb test to 6 if conditions call for it, or from 8lbs to 4. You may break off a couple extra fish, but the increase in bites will more than make up for it.

Break away from baitcast equipment during these times and turn your attention to spinning gear, especially when the fish are extremely finicky. (Stick with the heavy stuff for muskie and pike – playing these fish on light line can lead to exhaustion and death.) Light action rods and reels will work best with lighter line, as well as help in casting downsized baits. They will also allow you to work your lure in the most natural style.

Tone Down Movement and Clothing Color
What you do above the water can also have an effect on the fish below. Fish have excellent vision, and with increased water clarity, their range is greatly extended. Whether fishing from a boat or shoreline, keep all body movements to a minimum, and do away with any erratic or unnecessary mannerisms. Use bushes and trees to conceal yourself when on shore, and if none are available, always keep a low profile. Walk slowly and methodically, and keep your shadow behind you. Think like a Great Blue Heron. Their movements are non-existent, yet they always get their fish. Remember - if a fish spots you before you get a bait in front of it, your game might be already over.

Bright and colorful clothes are also a no-no when working clear water. Try to blend in with your surroundings, and choose muted and natural colors such as tan, light blue or green, and white. Anything that will help disguise you from those prying eyes is worth its weight in gold.

Make Each Cast Count
Long distance casts can be your best friend when fishing clear water. They will allow you to keep far away from fish, which will lessen your chance of being spotted first. The more distance you can put between your boat and the fish the better.
Keep casts low to the surface in order to minimize loud and unnecessary splashes. Pitching and flipping techniques are useful for this, and will allow you to present your bait in as natural a way as possible.  Always cast off to the side of fish, and never directly on top of them if sight fishing. By doing so, you can ‘lead’ the fish to your bait in a natural manner, and increase your chances for success.

Go Deep
Increased light penetration and angling pressure on clear bodies of water will often push fish deep. A quick scan of the shallows will usually confirm this. If this is the case on your home lake, working drop offs, deep weedlines, or off shore humps can get you back on the fish.

Use your electronics and work your way around the lake until you mark fish. Finding them is often the hard part, but once you do, the tools above will put them in the boat.

Weather The Storm
Although fishing in inclement weather isn’t for everyone, fishing clear water during wind or rain can work to your advantage.
Surface disturbance will break up light refraction, distort the above water eyesight of fish, and also give less of a chance for lure inspection. Yes, your own comfort will decrease when fishing windy or rain-filled days, but the chance for more fish will certainly outweigh that misery.

Be safe when fishing during inclement weather and never take unnecessary risks – no fish is worth the price of an accident.
Although clear water can cause problems for many anglers, slight adjustments to your equipment, presentation, and thinking can often turn shy fish into willing participants. Keep these tips in mind the next time you hit the lake – and remember, being willing to adjust to meet the conditions is a sure-fire plan for angling success.