Muddy Water:To run or not to run?

[Crack1874]

I went to pre-fish and it was just after a big rain, the water was red!!! My dad was down the week before and caught a lot of fish, but the water was clear to stained. I left the spot where he caught all the fish to find clear water but all I had was two short fish. My tourney is this weekend, should I hit that hole muddy or not, or find clear water?

I guess I don't know to tackle muddy water.

[Kal-Kevin]

I personal would work the edge of the stained water looking for fish hiding in the edge to ambush bait fish. you might want to add a rattle to bait if not in them now!

[Warpath]

I agree with Kevin 100%.  That water may be muddy, but in the fall that can be a +.  That water is obviously fed by running water, which will be heavier in oxygen content, give great ambush possibilities for bass, and the water will warm quicker than clear water.  Always a bonus in the fall.

Eric

[bass1cpr]

     IF the waters muddy fish tighter to cover, the muddy water lets you get closer to the fish. IF the waters risen any it will put them tighter to the bank also. Simple rule of thumb. If waters rising fish move to the bank if it's falling fish move away from the bank.
    Warpath makes a good point fresh water comming in will also have higher oxygen content.

[Ouachita]

I'll add that it's a great time to be flippin up close to cover. Drop the bait right on them 10 feet out from the boat. Due to short casts and quick recovery of lure I cover a lot of water that way and can mine every foot of shore and cover without being seen by bass that are usually wary in clean water. They will respond well to baits that rattle and vibrate. Go with really loud baits if there's some wind chop in the water. I'd use drastic colors like white or black in red water, strawberry in brown water. A frenzied bass will track it down then be "99%" committed by the time it's in striking range. High visibility seals the deal. I also use attractant frequently in muddy water to lay a good trail to go with the sonics. I've had a swarm of hungry bass collide with the boat in muddy water fairly often, competing for the prize. Drop the first and usually largest one in the boat, flip out and get another one before they scatter, finding time somewhere in between to drop in the livewell.

Jim

[Warpath]

I think that it's important to remember that fall fishing is all about fattening up for the winter.  Bass and other gamefish will follow baitfish, and baitfish will seek out areas of higher oxygen content and warmer water.  Fresh rain can provide both of these.  If ti is a cold rain, the muddy water can help increase the water temp overall the general area.

Mudlines do offer a great opportunity to catch fish on cranks and spinnerbaits, but don't overlook the flipping bite either, as basscpr1 and Ouachita have already stated.  Though bass in the fall will feed predominantly on shad, some are still interested in crawfish, so jigs and plastics tight to cover will still work.   

Eric

[Warpath]

I'd also add that bass will generally move as little as possible to conserve energy, which makes it easier to store up fat for the winter.  They will only move as far as the baitfish or prevalent forage will move. 

If your area was holding fish and baitfish alike, then I'd probably stick with the area as long as baitfish were still there as well.  If the baitfish have moved, then I would move.  Most likely, they didn't move that far away.  I would check the area out thoroughly.  Those fish are there close by,; you may need to refine your pattern a little, but I doubt they moved too far off.

Eric

[Ouachita]

There have been some studies about bass movement, revealing that large bass tend to hold to their chosen spot a few days even though baitfish have moved out. Unless baitfish forage has dried up, the bass simply wait for them to come back by. Immature bass will gladly follow the baitfish around, wasting precious energy. The lunkers tend to stick to about a 200 foot wide patch of water if they find a good ambush spot there. They will venture up to about 100 yards one way, reluctantly going farther, and only if too hungry to wait longer. Muddy water tends to hold them even longer, their confidence rising, as baitfish swim pretty much blind too.

Jim