Sunny Days and Clear Water

Not a good combination. The water at Lake Cavalier would be basically considered "Clear".
At times it has gotten very clear.

When you have clear water and a bright sunny day the light easily penetrates deeper into the water.

Fish, especially bass, don't like this. They will go deeper or hunt shade.

There have been many days out on the lake where I have seen people throwing big, flashy spinner baits toward the bank on sunny days. Although you might get lucky, you could probably go in and cut the grass because you are just wasting time.

Here are some tips from the bass pros at the "Got Fish" seminar held recently at the Natural Science Museum..........

1) Use Fluorocarbon line. Click the link to learn more about this "invisible" line. (always wet your knot before cinching it with fluorocarbon, this is very important)

2) Use baits that mimic the natural bait colors that are in the Lake. We have crawfish, bream, thread fin shad, and also frogs, snakes, lizards and eels. (yes eels, I pulled an old tire out of the water from beside our pier that had an eel in it.) So go with those colors.... light browns and oranges, pumpkin seed, watermelon, junebug, blues, greens, slivers and blacks. In the crankbaits go with the "sexy shad" color. For more on picking colors, click here for an overview.

3) Look for overhanging trees that provide shade extending out into the water. Use jigs and soft plastics here.

4) Get deeper. Look for structure or sudden bottom changes in water depths of 8-12 feet. We have lots of natural contours on our Lake's bottom. Also stumps, underwater grass and mussel shell beds. Spend time with your depth finder to find these spots. Look for any sudden changes, that's where you want to be. Crankbaits and jigs fished in a variety of ways is the best best at these spots. It's gonna take good old trial and error.

5) Finesse. Fish are spooked easier on days like this. Try the drop shot method. Also use longer casts, putting some distance between you and the spot you are trying to fish. Fish slower and use smaller baits.

These days are tough even on the pros, but trying these tips could be the difference between catching a few and getting shut out.

Hope this helps you put a few more in the boat.