In a previous blog post, I reviewed the scientific method bass anglers use in order to catch more fish. One key area to this method discussed was water conditions, specifically being water temperature and pressure in correlation with dissolved oxygen. Along these same lines, this post will look into another area of water conditions that directly effects a bass’ behavior, water clarity. Water clarity impairs the vision of a bass, making it harder to see forage in the water. As the water muddies, a bass will begin to strike very unnatural looking lures, begging a question. As harmful weather moves in and clear water becomes muddy, do the bass also change? Do they become stupid?

According to Ohio State University, lakes and ponds “become muddy on occasion due to inclement weather”, this being that these ponds will “receive runoff water from nearby soil”. This new mud in the water makes visibility difficult not just for humans looking in from the surface, but for the bass in the water. Each lake is different, but muddy water can have a significant effect on a bass’ normal behavior.

In a previous post, lure selection was merely chosen based on the main forage bass would be targeting in a specific lake. While this remains constant with every body of water that holds bass, the actual selection process is much more complex. Lures used muddy water will be much different than those used in clear water. This is really where the intelligence of the bass comes into question.  According This Article found on ehow.com, when fishing muddy water, “Crank baits in chartreuse and orange colors are effective”.

Chartreuse Crankbait

As seen in the image above, a “Chartreuse Crank bait” is one with a bright -green look. This color will in a sense glow in the muddy water and cause a bass to attack with something known as a “reaction strike”.  While this may seem normal to a non fisher, it is really quite odd once you examine an actually picture of a shad (what a crank bait imitates).

Here is a nature depiction of a shad. The difference between the natural shad and the crank bait above is very clear and obvious. Anyone can observe that when it comes to color, the natural shad and the crank bait are almost exact opposite. So why would a bass attack this bait that is so clearly different than its natural counter part? An article found on Bass Pro.com may answer this. This article discusses the importance of sight to a bass. In a muddy water situation, these bright colors will help “maximize the profiles visibility”, being that bright colors will help the bass see the bait. This bright colored bait will allow the bass to get a glimpse of the lure, causing it to attack with such an attitude of “strike first, ask questions later”. This bright color, though extremely unnatural in nature, will entrance a fish into attack it, more so than a natural looking lure would. This being based on the merit that you can see one easier than the other.

Yes, a bright lure in water is much easier to see than a more natural lure. Though it is odd how a bass will determine this still unnatural color as legitimate. For instance, when is the last time you ate a neon green pizza at night because you could see it more clearly?