Will crappie bite in muddy water?

[reggis]

nm

[LittleJohn]

Yes they will,have some of best days on muddy water. The muddy water will warm up faster than clear water.
LittleJohn

[ezgo]

I have also had good days in muddy water as it warms faster. When I fish in chocolate milk water I will usually fish with minners more so than with jigs.

[rnvinc]

I think the crappie seem to not be as spooky in stained to muddy water...

I also think it's important to slow down in muddy water because the bait can't be seen by the fish from as far away...

Rickie

[CrappiePappy]

Muddy, warm water .... yes.

Muddy, cold water ... not so much.

... cp

[BIGBADDAD]

They sure didn't like the muddy water saturday!

[Wiskers]

The short answer to your question is yes. But... like pappy said there are certain factors to consider. The most important being water temp.

There is a common misconception that fish don't bite in muddy water. This time of year most rain events are accompanied by a cold front. I believe that the cold front hurts the fish'n more than the muddy water. People fish these conditions with little or no success & blame it on the muddy water.

You have to understand that we have 2 diff. species of crappie in Ky lake and both react differently to the muddy water, but can be caught if the water temps. are favorable and you change your tactics.

99% of the time muddy water conditions are accompanied by rising water levels and current in the lake. The trash being introduced into the bays by the running creeks and the current in the main lake tends to pull/push baitfish into the bays. The crappie follow. Not all the crappie but a good number will follow the baitfish into the bays.

A lot of people make a common mistake when this happens. They don't stop & think about what is going on with the bait, the fish, and the water. This time of year the fish are looking for a couple of things, food & warmer water. The muddy water will soak up the sun on a sunny day and warm quicker. The trash coming out of the creeks in the bays provides food for the baitfish and they in-turn, provide food for the crappie. Were people go wrong is they continue to fish for the crappie the same way and in the same areas that they were catch'n them before the water muddied.

Say you have a brush pile that is in 12' of water that rises high in the water column & you have been catch'n fish 10' deep on that brush. Now the water comes up and muddies & there is 14' of water there. You still fish it 10' deep & have limited success if any. You raise up to 8' & still no success so you give up on it. You have to remember that the muddy water allows less light penetration & the fish are gonna move up closer to that warmer surface water!. Those fish may be 2' below the surface over that brush. That's right I have caught fish 2' deep in 14' of muddy water. I mean so shallow you can hit them with a boat paddle.

You should also try shallow. You'll find 3 things there. Warmer water with more active fish, lots of baitfish, & low light penetration. Try fishing shallow flooded brush and stake beds with a jig, minnow, or combination of the 2, under a rattling bobber. Stay back & cast to them. Twitch the bobber. Use bigger profile, darker baits that displace a lot of water/put off vibration & are easier for the fish to locate. People just don't check shallow water enough this time of year! 2 degree warmer water is a big deal to the fish!

I have also found that fish will relate tighter to brush in muddy water. Visability is poor & they need something to relate to. Kinda like we would run our hands along a wall in a dark, dark hallway.

Another tip. If you start catching a few/bunch of the little yellow belly stripes in the shallows this time of year... The crappie are close! B-LEAVE DAT!!! :D

When you catch fish stop & reflect & try to figure out why they were, where they were. It'll help you catch fish in the future.

Didn't mean to get so long winded. :D

[1fishmike]

Great info Wiskers. Thumbs Up
Thanks

[gone_fishing]

Nice job Whiskers

[jeremy colvin]

Crappie will bite in muddy water you just have to change your presentation a little. Here on Barren we have been fishing bright colored tubes tipped with a minnow which gives the fish a bright presentation and the vibration of the tipped minnow helps too. In muddy water the crappie typically hold tighter to cover. Jeremy Colvin Fishing - WELCOME TO JEREMY'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE !!!Â* Jeremy has been featured on world fishing network and pursuit channel showcasing why he is one of the countries top guides and tournament anglers.Â*Follow us on facebookClick pic belo