Throughout the years I've heard many anglers complain about how hard it is for them to catch fish out of quarries and pits. Granted, these man-made waters can be pretty tough to conquer, but they can produce some quality fishing.

One initial problem anglers have is that their fish-catching expectations may be set too high when fishing these waters. A body of water's fish-carrying capacity has a lot to do with the overall fertility of the quarry or pit.

Typically, a clear body of water with a lot of sharp-dropping, short-lipped shores will produce far fewer pounds of fish per acre than a pit or quarry that has more flatness in the shallow- or mid-depth range and darker (more fertile) water.

What this means is, if you're fishing clear, sharp-dropping bodies of water that receive much fishing pressure, is that you're going to have a high-percentage of "bad days." But you still can learn tricks to elevate you above the level of your competition.

In the clear waters that have a lot of fast- dropping shoreline, be aware of two factors; less light penetration and flatter areas of bottom.

Bright sunlight and clear waters are tough conditions, unless the sun is warming colder flatter areas and drawing the fish shallower. In clear quarries and pits, concentrate your efforts during times of less sun penetration. The first hour or two in the morning, or last hour or two of light, are prime times. Night fishing for bass or crappie can also be good, but don't just fish a few minutes after dark and then quit. Give it a few hours. Dark, overcast, or rainy days will usually stimulate daytime feeding.

Conditions that stain the water can turn on a clear-water pit or quarry. A good water clouding rain can help you. Strong winds pounding a soft bank will cause reduced light penetration and hopefully improve fishing for a few days.

Water coming into pit or quarry is a welcome bonus. In early spring this may bring warmth and color into a specific area, which draws forage and larger predators. Even during summer or fall, a hard rain may wake up a dried-out creek bed that suddenly spouts fish attracting runoff into an area. Watch also for erosion cuts in the land surrounding a pit or quarry. A sudden frog-strangling downpour may send sheets of water across the fields that drain into the pit and turn on the fish. Does this just create better water color (stained) and move the fish move shallower, making them more accessible? Does it wash in food or improve oxygen content? Who knows. But we do know that it usually helps fishing!

Areas of extended shallower flat bottom are also a plus. More flatness usually means more fertility, darker water, and a capacity for producing more fish. A flat, shallower bay or two off the main body of water is a good sign. It says "spawning grounds" to me and I know there is some real potential for spring fishing.

If waters in your area ice up, these shallower bays or backwater areas often draw bass, crappies, or bluegills like magnets during the first warming spell or two after an ice-out. They may also be prime areas during the prespawn or spawning period. But be careful. If you fish them when large numbers of hungry fish move in, you can decimate a very vulnerable fish population in these sterile clean waters. Catch and release is very important in this instance, probably as much so as in any fishing situation.

When eyeballing one of these pits or quarries, try to see how the coal, phosphates, or rock were removed. Were ramps created for trucks to drive down into the hole? If so, they make great migration routes for the fish. Note the tapers along the bank; high bluffs usually indicate adjacent sharper drops; flatter shorelines generally mean that similar underwater conditions exits next to them.

Ask yourself, "How do others fish this pit pr quarry?" and "What can I do better or different?" Try casts more parallel to the bank as opposed to casting toward the middle. Cast into harder-to-reach areas. Walk along tougher-to-negotiate shores. Sometimes getting into the water a few feet gives you casting angles that are far more productive. A belly boat can be a great aid. It's quiet, low to the water, and will enable you to fish spots unreachable by shore-bound anglers.

Pits or quarries closer to the road get a lot more fishing pressure. Take a hike and look around. Get back on secondary roads. Scout in winter when foliage is down and you can see better. Talk to local anglers, taxidermists, and bait shop owners. You'd be surprised to find out what's available. A lot of fish live in these waters and they can be yours for the catching.