On 10 Dec 2003 07:22:51 -0800, (CR) wrote:

I'm looking for ways to improve my success in clear water. I've
switched to low-vis green 6lb mono and smaller lures. I was looking at
my 4" texas rigged senko, sitting there in about 6 inched of water and
it occurred to me that the real problem is the big, ugly, metallic
hook sticking out. What about painting it a more natural color? Maybe
hiding it somehow?

I'm with the small group that says don't hide the hook...but
highlight your lure in a small, but very noticeable way to the fish.
Here's my tip that I've used to catch hundreds of bass in extremely
clear water when almost everyone else was struggling:

Add a small bead and a propeller blade (see
http://www.worthco.com/fish/propeller.html ) to the front of your
worm. If you are fishing shallow...there may be no need for a sinker.
If you are fishing deep, you can carolina rig this outfit. I picked
up this tip from my dad who put it on me in a deep, clear strip pit
one day when we were faced with tough bluebird conditions.

When I was a kid, there used to be a guy by the name of Kunkel
(Gus was his first name...I think) who used to make these odd-looking
4" straight worms that featured 3 small hooks embedded in the worm
with a small spinner in the front which was surrounded by a few red
beads. It was a great bait back then and, although it has been
discontinued by the original maker, the copy-cat reproductions (mostly
in the northern US) continue to catch large numbers of bass especially
in clear waters...

--
Dwayne E. Cooper, Atty at Law
Indianapolis, IN
Email:
Web Page: http://www.cooperlegalservices.com
Personal Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/OnTheWater
Favorite Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosiertradingpost.com/FishingTackle
1st Annual ROFB Classic Winner