Just to add to what has been said, When they are used to clearer water then they rely more on sight and use cover as reference points to the area. When the water gets muddy, They can't use their sight as well and will hang tight to cover because they won't see the cover if they go very far from it. If they do then they will get lost and will wonder around until they happen up on another piece of cover and then they will relate to that piece of cover until the water clears. Other fish do the same thing so the bait fish get put in a bad situation as they have to relate to the same cover as the bigger fish. Crappie that are used to muddy water will use their lateral line to feel around and detect bait. They will venture farther from the cover because they are use to the conditions. Thats why brighter colors and plastics and spinner type jigs that put off more vibration work better in muddy water.because the jigs work better to the senses of fish in muddy water. Clear water fish rely a lot more on sight, therefor the angler has to utilize more subtle approaches as the fish gets more time to study the bait to decide whether it is food or not. keeping this in mind and looking at varying normal clarity from lake to lake, so does the reliance of vision to the use of lateral lines. Smaller movements more natural colors in clearer water, more vibration and darker or very bright colors in muddy water. Also if your area waters are normally not muddy, then when muddy water conditions occur, fish will be tight to cover so that is what you should target. Hope this helps. CF
The Original Woodsgoat Hater
2011 NWR Bash Yellow Perch Champion