It was a hot day in late June and we had just been hit with quite a bit of rain a few days prior here in Middle Tennessee. The rivers had gone down, just about to their normal level but I figured there would still be some run-off from some light rain the night before. Run-off always brings with it the potential for stained or even muddy water but I wasn’t about to let that keep me at home on the couch. I actually enjoy bass fishing in stained water.

Well, mother nature did not disappoint and I arrived at the launch to find that the water was indeed stained. Luckily however, it was not the dreaded color of chocolate milk. I had brought tackle for a variety of conditions just in case. I grabbed my stained water tackle assortment and began my paddle upstream from the launch.

I used my Accent Paddle to get to a rocky shoal that I had been wanting to explore again. This time, I found it with quite a bit of water flowing over the rocks. This made for even more stained water where it hit the deeper pool at the end of the shoal. I made many casts to an eddy that was right in the middle of the river but I was not able to entice a single strike. With the lack of success, I knew it was time for a change in tactics and I tried something that had served me well before.

At the edge of one of the current seams, there was some slightly clearer water. I made my first cast right up against the bank into that clearer water and began to crank the handle of the reel. After three or four turns, bam, fish on. Right as my crankbait moved into the stained water from the clearer water, a largemouth bass slammed it. After a short fight I was able to get him into my Jackson Kayak Coosa HD for him to pose for a quick photo.

I was able to repeat this pattern several more times in the same area by floating downstream a few dozen yards to similar spots and then paddling back upstream to hit them again. Later, I floated about a half mile downstream to a similar rocky shoal and was able to find active fish once more. As bass fishermen, we have our best days when we find a pattern early in the day and are able to apply it throughout the day.

One of the key things to remember when fishing stained water is that visibility underwater is obviously limited and you need to help the fish find your lure. This can be accomplished by fishing with lures that have brighter colors such as fluorescent tones, lures that make noise via rattles or a combination of the two. Sometimes dark colors like black and blue work well in stained water situations by providing contrast against the murky water, especially if light levels are reduced.

After the bass bite shut down, I decided to use the time I had left to catch a few bluegill on my ultralight rod. I was able to find an area with cover and water clarity that matched the area where I caught the largemouth bass upstream. After a few casts to find out the depth of the fish, I was able to land several decent size bluegill to add to the fun I had on the river that day.

I enjoyed the challenge of hitting this normally clear river when the water was stained. Being able to adapt to different conditions will make you a more well rounded angler and increase the chances that you will be able to have a good day on the river no matter what Mother Nature decides to throw at you. Tight lines and be sure to zip up those life jackets.