FS Digest

It rained hard recently and my normally shallow, clear river, turned into deep, murky waters. And the fish completely changed how they attacked my lures.

I usually use Texas rigged Yum Dingers, Rebel Crayfish crank bait, and various spoons all with great success. Today that all changed. I caught three fish today after five hours of fishing all up and down the river: two tiny smallies, and a tiny rock bass.

How do I change the way I fish to accommodate for the change in water/fish behavior? What lures can I use to attract the fish I know are there? I noticed several fish surfacing to take insects off the surface, but I didn't have any top water lures, let alone anything resembling a bug.

The last fish I caught was a baby smallie who hit my Crayfish crank as I let it float on top of the water while I untangled my line. So apparently top water wasn't a bad idea.

In short, I don't know what to put in my tackle box to help me mix things up, or even where the fish might move to once the rain has disturbed their usual hidey-holes.

Any advice?

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by wroughtbylove

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

I would say that you are going to have to wait until the river gets back to somewhat normal.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

Use something with a lot of bright color so they can see it

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Sounds like you answered your own question. If the fish are hitting the top, get a few different size top water lures. A whopper plopper has good attractant noise in that muddy water. On the smaller size, you an use a 1.5 inch fat floating rebel. To get attention, make as much commotion as you can on the surface. Or just a few twitches to get attention, let it sit then do it again.

BILLBYRD1 Loc: Prattville Al

You can also use a spinnerbait, buzz bait etc. Something that moves the water when using it so the fish know it's there. Rattle traps or crankbaits with rattles help the them find the bait.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

any bright gawdy colored noisiest bait you have in the box think of the fish being somewhat blinded by the faster murky water you have to have something they can see and hear