Bass Fishing: Finesse Tips For Fishing Crystal Clear Water

Struggling to catch bass in crystal clear water? Come along with Tim for a day of clear water bass fishing. He shows the finesse baits he's using and explains how he downsizes line to adapt to the water conditions. Pay close attention to his color selections and bait sizes as he lures fish into biting despite the tough conditions. 

Tim's first trick to catch clear water fish was to focus on shade pockets. Often the "last shade" in an area will have an active group of fish long after sunny areas have stopped biting. He used a ghost colored S-Waver then dropped down to a finesse head and smaller keitech to coax the bites. 

Once the last shade faded away he turned his attention to fishing the "color line" along the shore where light penetration is limited by depth. The color line is an amazing place to find active fish under bright sunny conditions. Finally, after not getting the results he hoped for Tim moved ultra shallow into cover in search of afternoon bass in shady pockets near brush. Today he found those fish spawning but could have caught them a variety of ways under normal circumstances. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment he used throughout the day. In addition to the exact baits we've included additional color recommendations that work great in clear water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can find detailed pictures and descriptions of each item. 

Glide Bait... 

-R2S S-Waver 168 (TW Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Paddle Tail Swimbaits... 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8" (Sun Gill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3" (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Tactical Finesse Head 3/8 oz (Naked Shad): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Other Great Colors: Crystal Shad, Goby, TW Pro Blue

Dropshot... 

-Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm 4.95 (Morning Dawn): http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

Other Great Colors: Infection, Spring Break, Bad Shad Green

-Owner Mosquito Light Size 1 Hook: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Tungsten "Tie On" Dropshot 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

Jig... 

-Keitech Tungsten Football Jig 3/8 oz (Brown/Purple): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Other Great Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Chartreuse

-Z Man Finesse TRD CrawZ Trailer (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Metanium (Updated Metanium Linked) XG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 822S DSR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852C JWR: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G