High and Muddy Water

By Ed Harp

February and March bring rapidly changing conditions to the Ohio River.

Early February is still winter by almost any standard and late March brings early spring by almost any standard. Either time will, however, bring high and muddy water. It can also bring fish!

As early spring arrives, the river water level will rise and, in most cases, flood the marinas, camping areas, and lower lying shorelines. Early spring will also color the water chocolate brown. Visibility will be just a matter of inches, if you are lucky. This condition perplexes many anglers who are seeking game fish, especially black bass. This need not be the case. This is a very productive time of the year.

Fish move into these areas when there is just the slightest rise in water temperature. A movement of a couple of degrees will suffice. The feeding impulse may be triggered by a rise from 39 degrees to 41 degrees, for instance. So, rather than complain or sit around waiting for March Madness, go fishing. You may be surprised at your success.

The first thing to do when attacking high and muddy water is to survey the conditions. At this time of the year fish move to warmth. Therefore a savvy angler should look for water that is exposed to the sun. In most cases this will be on the north side of the area you are considering. This water will be exposed to the sun all day. By the same logic, you will most often have more success late in the day.

Next think strike zone. The strike zone is that distance a fish will move to attack your lure. Under ideal conditions, and with active fish, the strike zone will be large; sometimes as wide as 3 or 4 feet. Under poor conditions it will be small; sometimes just a couple of inches. Effective fishing this early in the year requires an angler make repeated casts to the same area or target. The strike zone will be small under such conditions. Remember the fish must be able to find your lure in order to bite it.

Once you have selected your spot and considered the strike zone make lure selections based on the conditions you have found. You must help the fish find the bait either through sight, sound, or smell. Give them a chance to catch it so you can catch them.

For members of the black bass family a good bait to start with is a big, flashy spinnerbait. Colors for muddy water begin with bright yellow/chartreuse or green/chartreuse. At times white will produce. Black is almost always a good color choice. Black creates a strong contrast that is visible under a wide variety of dark water conditions.

Blades should be either painted in bright colors, dark colors, or made with brass, copper, or gold. These colors have greater visibility in muddy water. Blades should be large, really large. A Colorado style is preferred because of the heavy thump that it creates. Always slow your presentation down. This will give the bass a chance to find and bite your bait.

Jigs are another excellent choice for poor water conditions. A black jig with a blue trailer is hard to beat when seeking largemouth bass. This color combination is used all across North America and in all seasons and conditions with success. What other bait can claim that distinction?

Most successful anglers will opt for a rattle of some type for additional sound. Once again slow your presentation down. When you think you are fishing too slowly, cut your speed in half, and it will be just about right.

Plastics also produce, at times, under these conditions. Once again use bright or dark colors with rattles and work them as slowly as you can stand. Larger baits with twister tails or legs are usually more effective, as they create more water displacement. This helps the fish find the bait. Consider plastics, under these conditions, a third choice.

With all these lures you may find scent/flavor additives to be advantageous. There are an endless variety of types and odors. Most experienced anglers believe garlic is the best overall choice. Whatever flavor you use apply it liberally and frequently.

Adapt and fish for success.