Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water fishing in muddy water

I have been reading these forums for over a year. Now I am ready to ask a question.

We have had some rain up here in North Texas (Montague County) in the last month and my tanks have really turned muddy. Maybe < 4 inches down can't see the bait.

I know I need to clear the water, but what is the best method to catch LMB in a muddy pond?

Welcome to the forum longhorn!

IME, dark colored baits particularly black seem to work well in very muddy waters. Also larger baits, baits that have a lot of movement, like creature baits with multiple tails etc, baits that rattle or otherwise make noise or that vibrate. These features allow bass to key in on the bait with the lateral line and less with their eyes..

I do a lot of night fishing for bass as I work the midnight shift and tend to be up late. It is peaceful on the lakes at night, no jet skies and lots of bass who aren't used to be caught at night. The lures used at night are much the same as though used in extremely muddy water.

Bigger, darker and louder fished slower...

We'll see what others have to say.

CJBS hit it right on the head. You need to appeal to the LMBs other senses. Sure they can still see but they will be relying on scent and lateral line more to locate prey.

I like to use big black colorado blade spinner baits, 10 inch black worms, black and blue jigs, and creature baits. I like creature baits that have ridges on the body. The ridges seem to disturb the water just enough to get the attention of the more finiky LMB. Sometimes the spinnerbait is a little too much for the finiky LMB. I use scent with all of the lures I just mentioned.


I love night time bassin. It's so peacefull. The biggest fish I have ever caught on the pond have been at night.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

It may depend on just how big your pond/tank is.

On smaller waters I find that loud stuff spooks fish. There, I go small and unobtrusive no matter what color the water is. Maybe a small Roadrunner.

If you have a larger body of water, I prefer noisemakers with flash. In other words spinnerbaits that will bring them to sound when they can't see and chase it. Unlike CJB, I prefer chartreuse in mud but, like him, black at night.

My place is just South of Bowie. Where are you?

Ok I grew up learning black in muddy lakes so that makes sense. I have been trying black 10" worms with fire, white or chartreuse tails and some top water, spinner baits that make noise (large).

I don't know much about scents, power bait or some kind of spray on? Reccomendations on sprays? We used to just spit on them in Louisiana, LOL.

Tank is only about 1/2 acre so I think too much noise could be spooking them.

I am near Nocona, Tx.

Is there any flooded area's? When the water gets muddy I like to flip and pitch dark colored jigs, worms or frogs in shallow water. I have literally killed bass in water 1-2ft. Fish sloooowwww. Also look around your pond more than likely there is an area that is less muddy, could be very suttle difference but a difference. Fish tend to concentrate in those area as well.

My alltime favorite a black/blue jig with a black/blue crawfish trailor fished in shallow water.

I like scent brands that have pure crawfish oil in them. When you dip the bait in the water it actually makes a oil slick on the surface and you can smell the crawfish smell. I definitely notice a difference when fishing with the scent as opposed to no scent added.

Anise oil works quite well also.

With 1/2 acre, the fish can become conditioned. When they see you, they start thinking about corn meal and hot grease. Sneaking up on the pond and using ultra light tackle may be your best bet.

Dark colored spinner baits which put out alot of vibration have always worked great for me on LMB. Black or blue skirts with a colorado blade are usually deadly.

Remember to run them fairly fast. Muddy water tends to warm much faster, which can produce very aggressive fish, particularly early mornings or late evenings into the night.

During the day, try a black 8" power worm.

This always works for me.

Rattle traps and buzzbaits.