Rising Lake Levels

[GaBankFisher]

I'd appreciate yall's thoughts on this: does higher water make it harder for the bank fisherman?

I spend a lot of time walking the banks of Clarks Hill (Augusta, GA). The water is up about 13 feet since January. The increase was fairly gradual, until about a month ago when it really jumped up quickly. In the last 30 days or so, I have caught WAY less bass per outing. I mean, I was catching more in the middle of the winter than I have lately. Is this related to the high water, or coincidence?

I initially thought that the high water would be good...more cover, insects, etc. in those areas now accessible to the fish.

One obvious disadvantage is that I can no longer get to all of my favorite spots because the water is so high. Hopefully I will get me a boat when I get back from Kuwait next summer but we'll see...

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.

[fishdude28]

I don't have a definite answer for you, but I have also been catching less fish after the water in the pond and river I fish rose. Hopefully else with more knowledge will chime in.

[TNBassin']

The fish seem to really scatter when water rises or falls quickly. That's why I, and many pros hate fishing here on Douglas lake. It really screws with the bite.

[Bankbeater]

The big problem I have while bank fishing with high water is that the water gets up into the bushes that use to be behind me.  Now those bushes are blocking me from getting to the lake.

[Sam]

Rising water?  Great!

 

The bass will visit the new water in search of prey.

 

Hit anything that is now under water that could hold bass or their forage.

 

Just be careful with the new bank and any animals that may be around.

[slonezp]

If you have high current associated with high water things can be more difficult. Otherwise, I agree with Sam. New food opportunities exist with the addition of insects grubs and worms. You may have to fish tight to the new cover to entice a bite. 

[WRB]

Your winter bss where on steeper banks, now transisitioned to spawn or post spawn by now. It's all about location and being bank bound makes changing locations a task, especially if the water is on the raise. The rule of thumb is; bass move up with the raising water and pull off the bank when water falls.

You are fishing a big highland power generating reservoir, difficult without a boat.

The bass should still be in the creek channel arms about half way. I would try to locate some secondary creek arms points and fish those areas. The ideal secondary point is a primary secondary point where the creek arm divides into 2 more arms.

Tom

[GaBankFisher]

Appreciate it fellas...y'all pretty much confirmed what I thought (high water should generally be a good thing). Must be that I have just sucked lately.

Need to do some more strategizing so see where I'm making mistakes or what I should change up.

Thanks again!

[Gatorbassman]

Appreciate it fellas...y'all pretty much confirmed what I thought (high water should generally be a good thing). Must be that I have just sucked lately.

Need to do some more strategizing so see where I'm making mistakes or what I should change up.

Thanks again!

Nope. You don't suck. The problem lies with the fact that the lake was down for so long and we had a lot of bank grass and other vegetation grow during those years. For the first few weeks the fishing close to shore was awesome but now it is very tough due to the fact that the bank grass is dead and now rotting under the water. This decay process uses up most of the oxygen in the water and it forces the fish to go somewhere else. So they have pulled out to the deeper milfoil and hydrilla and areas that don't have bank grass like rocky banks. Fish banks with rock or rip rap along the bridges and you should find your share of fish. 

[GaBankFisher]

Fluke - thanks, appreciate that explanation. I used your advice and caught a couple smaller ones on Saturday. I also lost one which, of course, seemed like it was pretty good sized...probably 3-4lb. Thanks again man...I've learned a ton from your posts and videos.