Murky Water Largemouth

Question
I live in Sacramento, CA and I'm going bass fishing for the first time this year.  We are going on a small boat in the Yuba-Sutter Bypass.  The water is pretty slow moving and very murky.  I caught some bass last year off buzz baits but I was hoping for some better tactics.  The weather here has been rainy, but this weekend it should be nice.  Any clues on how to catch them? What colors? Should I only be using soft baits and jigs?

Answer
Justin,
   With murky water, noisy, VERY SLOW moving lures are best with the exception of a
buzz bait as far as speed of retrieve goes.  Buzz baits draw a reaction strike not a feeding
strike.  In order to draw a feeding strike you must slow your retrieve considerably and use
noisy sub-surface lures.  Also, use either very brightly colored lures such as chartreuse
and pink or extremely dark lures such as black.  Good lure choices include slow-moving,
shallow crankbaits, tandem bladed spinnerbaits with trailer hook, rattling jigs, and other
slow-moving shallow lures.  Bass rely heavily on vibration in murky water and will strike
at the last place they sensed the vibration; a steady retrieve is best so that the fish does
not miss the lure.  This means lures such as jerk baits and others with an erratic action
will often be quite ineffective in murky water.  Also, stay shallow in murky water (0-4 ft
but as much as 6 depending on water clarity).  Oxygen levels are depleted in murky water
so fish such as bass must stay shallow to breathe.  You can also use soft plastics.  Adding
rattling inserts and keeping a slow smooth retrieve with short slight twitches will often
trigger a strike.  Large tubes as well as soft plastic worms eight inches or more are good
choices  
    Another technique is to find a runoff  where the water is somewhat clear.  Cast your
lures along the area where the clear water meets the murky water.  Fish will often gather
at these points to feed and therefore makes for potentially great fishing for a short while.

Good luck. If I have not fully answered your question please feel free to ask again.

Chris Carter