Understanding the Instincts of Bass
All fish are driven by instincts, but not all instincts are created equal. While basic behaviors like feeding are universal across species, each type of fish has its own unique set of traits that govern how, where, and when it feeds.
For example, while both bass and walleye must eat, they often pursue different prey in distinct habitats, and they respond to entirely different lure presentations. Recognizing and catering to these specific instincts—especially in difficult environments—can make all the difference between a frustrating day and a memorable one on the water.
Clear Water Challenges
On this episode of The Edge, the focus is on largemouth bass in gin-clear water—conditions that challenge even seasoned anglers. In these pristine environments, bass possess an exceptional visual advantage, able to detect the smallest inconsistencies in your presentation. When visibility is high, success demands refinement: the right gear, the right color, and the right presentation to avoid negative cues that might tip off wary fish. 
Thankfully, modern lure technology has advanced to the point where some baits are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. With high-definition finishes and realistic designs, these lures aren’t just natural—they’re supernatural. And when matched with thoughtful techniques, they become powerful tools in midsummer bass fishing.
The Joy of the Chase
As professionals who spend much of our time behind desks and in meetings, the opportunity to get on the water and chase bass is always welcome. While our job requires us to film, document, and share these adventures, at the core, we’re still anglers who love the thrill of a hookset and the fight of a strong fish.
On this particular summer outing, we set out to explore lakes with unusually clear water—lakes that are often overlooked in favor of murkier systems filled with dense vegetation and nutrient-rich food chains. While it’s true that fish in clearer waters often grow more slowly, they can still reach impressive sizes, especially with the right tactics.
The Role of Invasive Species
Clear water systems are becoming more common, in part due to invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels. These filter-feeding mollusks don’t remove nutrients from the lake, but they do shift how and where energy flows through the ecosystem. By consuming algae at the base of the food web, they limit the energy available for zooplankton, which impacts forage fish populations. The end result? Clearer water, but potentially reduced productivity.
Even in these lower-productivity systems, large bass still exist. It just might take them longer to reach trophy size. In Minnesota alone—home to over 10,000 lakes—largemouth bass have proven themselves to be one of the most adaptable freshwater predators, thriving in diverse environments across the state.
Effective Presentations for Clear Water
On calm, sunny days in the middle of summer, traditional wisdom might lead you to finesse techniques like drop shots and lightweight jigs. But in ultra-clear water, especially when fry and baitfish are near the surface, high-riding, aggressive presentations often outperform bottom contact baits.
Largemouth (and even smallmouth) will track a crankbait or topwater lure from surprising depths, exploding on a target that mimics surface-hugging prey. The key is to fish above the fish, not beneath them.
We employed two different strategies: one angler worked the edges of weed beds with a crankbait, while the other ran a topwater bait directly over the vegetation. Despite the high skies and calm conditions, bass responded aggressively—drawn to the sound, motion, and vibration of baits they simply couldn’t ignore.
Gear and Tackle Choices
One standout tool was the Rapala DT10 crankbait, particularly in its HD (high-definition) color series. These ultra-realistic finishes mimic natural prey with photographic precision, making them ideal for clear water environments where matching the hatch matters. These HD finishes are available across a range of Rapala lures and are effective for bass, walleye, trout, and more.
Having quality tools in the boat is just as important. When a fish bends out a treble hook—as happened on this trip—it’s vital to have pliers or a hook file ready to make adjustments and stay in the game.
The Thrill of the Strike
Crankbait fishing delivers immediate feedback. That tight line, the hard hit, the acrobatics of a jumping largemouth—it’s an adrenaline rush every time. Even when the fish aren’t giants, the sheer fun and visual element of fishing in crystal clear water make for an unforgettable experience.
As we worked through the day, bass after bass fell for our topwater and crankbait presentations. It wasn’t just a fluke—it was a lesson in understanding instinct, environment, and the role of innovation in lure design. And most of all, it was a reminder that when everything comes together just right, clear water bass fishing can be absolutely electrifying.
Supernatural Baits and Topwater Tactics for Summer Bass
With the net ready and another bass in the boat, it was clear that these warm, clear-water conditions were producing. The fish were energized, and the action was steady. One bass after another was smashing our lures—especially topwaters like the Storm Top Walker—offering thrilling, visual strikes in gin-clear, 72-degree water. These surface baits aren’t just fun to fish; they’re incredibly effective when conditions call for refined, natural presentations.
High-Definition Hard Baits: Matching the Hatch
In clear water, subtlety and realism become paramount. That’s where Rapala’s HD (High Definition) series shines. Designed with photorealistic finishes, these lures offer an uncanny match to real baitfish, both above and below the surface. For sight-sensitive largemouth, especially in transparent lakes, going “el natural” is the name of the game.
These HD baits mimic forage fish in exquisite detail. When worked with the right cadence and gear, they not only look alive—they become the prey bass are hunting. Whether it’s a DT crankbait, jerkbait, or another hard bait, the key is leveraging realism to provoke aggressive strikes from otherwise cautious fish.
Storm Top Walker: Clear Water Topwater Star
Among topwater offerings, few lures rival the Storm Top Walker. This jump bait category—designed to walk across the surface in a zig-zag motion—is particularly lethal in calm, sunny conditions. While it may seem counterintuitive to fish loud, aggressive topwaters in such scenarios, the Top Walker proves time and again that a disruptive bait can trigger strikes from fish cruising the upper water column, especially when fry and juvenile baitfish are near the surface.
These lures “clack” across the surface just long enough to trigger bass into committing. With visibility often exceeding 15 feet, bass can detect subtle disturbances from a surprising distance—and when the Top Walker enters their strike zone, they hit with intensity.
Best of all, the Top Walker is engineered for user-friendly performance. Its balance and body shape make it easy for anglers of all skill levels to achieve a smooth, consistent walking motion.
Rod, Reel, and Line Setup for Crankbait Success
To get the most from your crankbait presentations, the right gear setup is essential. On this trip, a St. Croix Legend Extreme rod—medium power with fast action—was the tool of choice. This rod’s balance and soft tip provided the ideal feel and hook-holding ability, especially when using treble-hooked baits.
Paired with a Quantum Smoke reel (7.3:1 gear ratio), the setup offered a perfect blend of speed and control. The slightly faster retrieve allowed for quick line pickup when popping crankbaits out of cover, while still providing the sensitivity needed for subtle bites.
As for line, 12-pound Sufix Siege monofilament was used. While many anglers default to 10-pound for cranking, the bump to 12-pound offers a bit more security in weed-filled or pike-inhabited waters without sacrificing too much action or depth.
Electronics: Precision Mapping with LakeMaster
Modern electronics play a pivotal role in locating fish and staying dialed into productive structure. In this case, Humminbird units (Onyx and 999 models) paired with LakeMaster mapping allowed us to pinpoint weed edges, drop-offs, and transitions with incredible accuracy. Having a detailed map removes guesswork, letting you fish with purpose.
And fish we did. Doubles, back-to-back hits, and hard-charging strikes were the norm. The bass weren’t just reacting—they were attacking, drilling our baits with confidence.
Soft Plastics That Fool Even the Wariest Bass
Today’s soft plastics are more sophisticated than ever. One standout was the Big Bite Baits Real Deal Shad—a hand-painted, hyper-realistic bait that delivers on every front. From its paint scheme to its motion in the water, this bait mimics life to an uncanny degree.
What makes it particularly special is the unique tail design. Instead of a typical boot or paddle tail, the Real Deal Shad features a subtle, alternating tail kick that mirrors how real minnows swim. It’s understated, which is exactly what makes it deadly in high-visibility water.
Rigging options include the VMC Swimbait Jig (for open water and sparse cover) and the VMC Weighted Swimbait Hook for heavier cover. The latter features an adjustable internal weight that alters the bait’s fall angle—head down for a darting look, or belly down for a slow glide. These small adjustments can be the key to unlocking bites when bass are especially picky.
The Importance of Presentation and Perspective
Fishing in ultra-clear water is a game of inches and instincts. Bass can see clearly, and so should we—both with our eyes and with our understanding of fish behavior. With polarized glasses, we were able to visually track our baits and observe fish movement in water up to 15 feet deep.
This kind of visibility puts added pressure on the angler to select gear and presentations that blend seamlessly with the environment. That’s where supernatural presentations—lifelike baits, natural colors, quiet retrieves—make all the difference.
And just when the fishing action felt at its peak, the show paused for a moment of reflection.
