...And What Would You Like With Your Chocolate Milk?

Some people might respond to that question with such answers as chocolate-chip cookies, potato chips, or donuts. Back in my early Navy days, however, my favorite after-chow snack was a large can of salted cashews, washed down with a quart (sometimes a half gallon) of that delicious brown stuff, which I always purchased off the geedunk truck that visited the pier each evening.

In this case, though, I'm not talking about the "chocolate milk" you drink. I'm instead making reference to the "chocolate milk" we sometimes find in creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds, and all other kinds of impoundments, following a period of high rainfall, especially if it's hard and fast.

At times, this can make the fishing difficult, and there are a number of factors to combat this situation. Once the fish...and the anglers, too...adjust to these conditions, you can encounter some "fast fishing," with an even greater chance of landing a trophy.

When bass find themselves in water that's considerably dirtier than it was previously, they relax a bit, knowing that predators can't see them as easily. Additionally, the dirtier water can make it easier for bass to ambush unsuspecting prey, like shad, bluegill, crawfish, or shiners, all of which have limited visibility and don't use vibration and sound as effectively as the predators chasing them can in these rapidly changing situations.

Experts tend to agree that there are six basic locations for targeting bass when you have chocolate-milk conditions:

Runoffs. Weather and rain runoffs will more often than not stir up the bottom sediment. This shakes up all the little critters that the smaller fish feed on, and the bass will be attracted to the feeding frenzy and pick off all the little prey fish.

This can be in the backs of coves or from bluffs where waterfalls occur. Use your faster-moving baits, and cast over, through and parallel to the runoff area. Keep the bait as close to the bank as possible, and try to intentionally bump and deflect off any cover in the area.

The best lures to use when targeting runoffs are spinnerbaits, with large...preferably half-dollar size...Colorado blades; chatterbaits and square-bill crankbaits.

Large, exposed structure. When the water is really stained, focus on anything that is near the bank, large, and sticking out of the water, especially if there is current. This means to focus on timber laydowns, submerged brush, large boulders, bridge pilings, and docks.

Among the best lures for targeting these structures are moving baits, such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits, that bump into everything as they go by. Jigs and Texas-rigged curly-tail worms also should be flipped and pitched as close as possible to the biggest part of the structure. If you see an exposed tree, for example, don't waste your time flipping that bait to the exterior branches first, when the water is really muddy. Instead, flip it as close to the trunk as possible.

Boat docks and launch ramps. These areas sometimes are called "selfie central," referring to the fact they are where anglers often take pictures of their catches before releasing the fish. Many bass will disperse after being released, but some will stay in the area if food is plentiful enough.

Best lures for targeting these spots are spinnerbaits and crankbaits (slow-rolling them), or jigs and creature baits (flipping them between boat slips or next to the structures).

Points. Pay special attention to those points where there is any current or wind blowing over them. Points with large structures, such as boulders or stumps on or near the crest, often hold the most fish.

The key to fishing points when the water is muddy is to cast over the point with one of your moving baits, such as a spinnerbait, chatterbait or crankbait, and slowly work it over the crest. Make sure you bump and grind it during the retrieve. If this doesn't work, try paralleling the point, working your bait up or down the point.

Lastly, you can switch to a slower moving bait, such as a Texas-rigged worm or creature bait, and use the same casting pattern as you did with the moving baits.

Overhangs. These are a prime location to target, especially when it's sunny out. The key to fishing such spots is to skip a bait like a jig or a big soft-plastic swimbait beneath the overhanging structure. Work it slowly, feeling for any sign of a bite.

Areas with clear water nearby. Every once in a while, you'll come across a patch of clear water next to muddy water...usually in special runoff situations. Muddy current water off the main lake will be flowing past a relatively clear-water cove or a cut. These two types of water don't mix.

This situation can possibly be a game-changer for you. Why? Because the baitfish and bream that live in the clear water will move out to the edge of the muddy water, picking off any food that passes by. Meanwhile, bass will hide in the muddy water, toward the bottom, and eat any unsuspecting fish that gets too close.

When fishing a spot like this, it's best to use a moving bait, like a standard crankbait, lipless crankbait, spinnerbait, or chatterbait.

Best colors for fishing muddy water, as suggested by experts, are as follows: black & blue, red/orange, white, chartreuse, and junebug.

Here are some additional tips and tricks recommended to help you catch more bass in muddy-water conditions:

Make multiple casts. When fishing prime areas, especially heavy cover and structure, be sure to make multiple casts to the same spot. A lot of times, you won't catch a fish until the 2nd or 3rd cast.

Fish shallow. In most cases, bass will push cover and head to the shallowest parts of a lake or reservoir when the water becomes muddy. They grow more aggressive when the water rises, which causes more food to become available.

Use a rattle. Using crankbaits with rattles, or adding them to your jigs, Texas rigs, and other baits can make a big difference in your overall success. The extra sound draws in more bass.

Fish thick cover. Bass in muddy water tend to hang tight to cover. The best spot to pitch or flip your bait is right in the middle of all that cover...the nastier the better.

Upsize your lure. A larger profile will be easier for the bass to detect and will increase your chances of getting more bites and catching more fish.

The bottomline to this discussion is simple: Don't let muddy water intimidate you. Instead, stay focused and maintain confidence in your ability to catch fish, regardless of the circumstances.