Go back to previous topic
Forum nameFreshwater Fishing in California
Topic subjectclear water techniques
Topic URLhttp://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=17394
17394, clear water techniques
Posted by BassMan, Mon Apr-06-09 09:35 AM
Got out friday to find margarita gin clear. It took just two weeks to go from stained to super clear. I'm talking 10 to 12 feet visability. Males everywhere I don't think they spawned yet cause there just crusing not locked on beds. No signs of females and the water was 60 in the morning found some areas of 63 in the afternoon.

My question, how do you guys approach a situation like this? I know stealth and light line. Do you look for fish deep, stay shallow and wait to find bed fish locked down? There's no vegitation yet but I'm sure when it starts growing it will be all over the place.

Night fishing isn't an option but would be dynamite if you could fish at night.

Looking for some clear water advise.......BassMan
17395, RE: clear water techniques
Posted by swimbait, Mon Apr-06-09 10:08 AM
Great question. When it clears up fast and the fish get real close to spawning, fishing can be tough. That's one condition where I am thinking senko, senko, senko. Not that I really like senko fishing, but its one of the few methods that work - particularly on calm days. Fish around wood or out of the zone where light is penetrating.

Now this week, the forecast is for a southern storm. Which at Santa Margarita means one thing. Slammer, Slammer, Slammer. Margarita fish love to eat the Slammer in the rain. If they feel pushed off the beds by the rain, you could have a lot of fun the next few days.

If the storm turns out not so windy and rainy, then I'd reach for the hudd or a chatterbait. You just need some wind or surface disturbance.
17396, RE: clear water techniques
Posted by Phil, Mon Apr-06-09 11:47 AM
Thanks for the report. I'm planning on going out tomorrow so this helps. If this storm comes in like they say, it could go insane. Several years ago, I had a day during April with these exact conditions and it went crazy on the Slammer. If the water is clear and it's choppy, they just love it on top out there. Like Rob said, Slammer, Slammer, Slammer.

17397, RE: clear water techniques
Posted by Phil, Wed Apr-08-09 09:58 AM
You weren't kidding about it being clear out there. That was some of the clearest water i've seen in a long time.

I fished right through all the rain yesterday throwing the Slammer and Huddleston out deeper. It didn't go insane as i'd hoped. At least not for me. Only had two blow ups on the Slammer across from White oak.

I did find some drop shot fish on points leading into spawning areas in about 15ft. Nothing over 2 lbs, but they were fun. They were hitting a robo worm in blue crawler. That seems to be a good color for clear water.