When you arrive at a fishing spot, one of the first things you should assess is the water clarity. This single factor will dictate your lure selection and presentation more than almost anything else. The ReelTime AI considers this by inferring clarity from recent weather, but knowing what to do with that information is key.
Gin Clear to Slightly Stained
When the water is clear (2-4+ ft of visibility), fish rely heavily on sight to feed. This is when realism and finesse are your best friends.
- Lure Choice: Use natural-colored lures. Think translucent, silver, white, or anything that accurately mimics the local forage like shrimp or mullet. Our AI often recommends colors like "New Penny" or "Morning Glory" in these conditions.
- Presentation: Use lighter line (10-12 lb fluorocarbon leader) and more subtle presentations. A slow, steady retrieve or small twitches are often more effective than aggressive action.
"Trout Green" or Stained Water
This is the ideal "fishing green" water with about 1-2 feet of visibility. It's clear enough for fish to see your lure, but stained enough to make them feel secure and less spooky.
- Lure Choice: This is where you can get more aggressive. Brighter colors with some flash work well. Chartreuse tails, gold spoons, and lures with high-contrast patterns like "Salt & Pepper" or "Rootbeer/Chartreuse" excel here.
- Presentation: You can use a more erratic retrieve. Add more aggressive hops and faster movements to create vibration and get the fish's attention.
Muddy or "Chocolate Milk"
After a heavy rain or strong winds, the water can become very muddy with less than a foot of visibility. This is the toughest condition to fish, but not impossible. Fish will rely on their other senses—vibration and smell—to find food.
- Lure Choice: Go big, dark, and noisy. Dark colors like black, purple, or junebug create a better silhouette. Lures that create a lot of vibration, like a rattling crankbait or a spinnerbait, are excellent choices. This is also the best time to use scented lures (like Gulp!) or live bait.
- Presentation: Slow down. Fish can't see well, so you need to give them time to find your offering. Keep your lure in the strike zone for as long as possible.