Flooding

[birdy]

For the more experienced is it worth your time to fish when the water is up? My main source is a pond, but I do make it to two separate rivers and right now all of them are extremely high. I usually fish from the bank. I want to know is it worth my time or do the fish go deep? I'm guessing they feed on new exposed food sources and would not be as interested in what I have to offer. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Grey Wolf]

The fish follow the water , I 've caught a lot of bass off the bank fishing the flooded bushes/timber.

[Triton21]

The fish follow the water , I've caught a lot of bass off the bank fishing the flooded bushes/timber.

With high water I find the fish extremely shallow. Have won several tournaments over the years on a jig in inches of water.

Kelley

[Jigfishn10]

The fish follow the water , I 've caught a lot of bass off the bank fishing the flooded bushes/timber.

Gret post Grey Wolf!

Totally agree. Last year we had flooding waters so bad that some bodies of water I fished at had to be pumped to get the water levels down. It was just after ice out and the flooding rain really warmed the water up driving the fish to flooded brush. I caught a lot of fish just by casting a jig or spinnerbait right on the bank and dropping it down into the water. The strikes came just as the lure hit the water or maybe 1 hop down.

High water in early spring will attract bass on the bank near or in cover. Once the water starts to drop, they may abandon the area all together or relate to the next significant break or channel.

[birdy]

Thanks all for the information. Makes a lot of sense. Will be wading out into the brush this afternoon. We have another front moving through tonight, so right when the pressure drops should have some fun, hopefully hoisting a pig out of the water. Hope to post a pick of my catch tonight.

Thanks again for the good advice.

[Jigfishn10]

Good luck out there. I'm stuck @ work, so if you do hoist a hawg, be sure to post it!

[birdy]

Good luck out there. I'm stuck @ work, so if you do hoist a hawg, be sure to post it!

Jigfishn10, will do, I'm working also, but I'm spoiled at home. Have 3 well stocked ponds around my house with-in walking distance. One of my fishing buddies says it's like having my own personal aquarium. Other than the occasional kid, no pressure except me usually fishing these waters.

[Jigfishn10]

Now I'm really jealous. You're killing me birdy...

We've had a lot of raw days with rain. Our waters are still really cold, but on Monday I went out for about 2 hours fishing from the bank. I was seeing a lot of bass stacked up next to a steep sun soaked rocky banks near cover...so they are there.

[birdy]

Got lucky with the house location that is all.

[NateFollmer]

Find some creek mouths too if there are any around. Bass flock to creek mouths during high water also.

[Jigfishn10]

Find some creek mouths too if there are any around. Bass flock to creek mouths during high water also.

Good point Nate. Great time for crawfish imitations around creek mouths. I was at a creek mouth the other day and craws were scurrying around like crazy.

[NateFollmer]

Good point Nate. Great time for crawfish imitations around creek mouths. I was at a creek mouth the other day and craws were scurrying around like crazy.

Thanks! Jigs, tubes, any bottom bouncers are a safe bet now. If you get high, chocolate milk water like we do here, use something black. I love throwing hair jigs during floods

[birdy]

What a bummer, the water was at the regular depth by the time I got home, did catch one small bass, oh well, thanks for the advice all, I really do appreciate all the help I get here.

[MaineBassMan]

Yep! Check my fishing Solo+wind+raind thread in fishing trip section. I caught a nice five pounder today in cover that is usually high and dry.

[Jigfishn10]

1 is better than none, birdy! There's alway's the next time.

[birdy]

1 is better than none, birdy! There's alway's the next time.

True true Jigfishn10, caught this one today on a micolite rod, 4lb test, tiny swimbait with a 1/16 oz jig head, missed two others right before another storm. Learning a lot this last few years from all of you. Thanks.

[Jigfishn10]

NICE!!! WTG!

I just visited your profile, birdy, and your about the same age as me. One word of advice, don't get your heart rate up by hooking into a fish that big on 4# test. The ticker just isn't used to that...LOL...Just kidding. That's one fine fish you got there.

[birdy]

NICE!!! WTG!

I just visited your profile, birdy, and your about the same age as me. One word of advice, don't get your heart rate up by hooking into a fish that big on 4# test. The ticker just isn't used to that...LOL...Just kidding. That's one fine fish you got there.

I was pumped when I missed the first two, fought one for a good two minutes before it spit it out. I really do like to battle them with the lighter weight equiptment. Do miss my fair share but it is a blast when you land them. Thanks again Jigfishn10.

[DavidWH]

Birdy, do you fish the ohio river? I am in NKY and have never tried fishing the river.

[birdy]

Birdy, do you fish the ohio river? I am in NKY and have never tried fishing the river.

David,

Nope, I don't have a boat yet. I did buy my kids a couple of sit on top kayaks that I'm sure will make it into a few of the waterways around here soon. I have fished the Little Miami and the Great Miami and the Miami white water river all with some success. I have caught a few smallies and a gar or two. I learn a little more each time out. I would suggest the Licking and other rivers (if there are some I'm not sure) prior to the Ohio unless your hunting cats.

Birdy

[birdy]

Water levels still changing rapidly with the rain, air temps and pressure also changing, but the fish still keep hitting. I caught 6 bass in about one hour tonight. Largest was 2 and 3/4 lb on 4lb test, 1/64oz jig head with a Bass pro squirming squirt. I usually catch crappie with it but I guess he/she was hungry. Man what a fight. Changed over to a larger set-up with 6lb test and a 3 inch Berkeley grub-watermelon color, caught 5 more bass, largest 1 and 1/2 lb down to less than a lb. Rain moved in and so did I. no pictures because I thought I would not catch much with the low pressure and rain.

[Jigfishn10]

Water levels still changing rapidly with the rain, air temps and pressure also changing, but the fish still keep hitting. I caught 6 bass in about one hour tonight. Largest was 2 and 3/4 lb on 4lb test, 1/64oz jig head with a Bass pro squirming squirt. I usually catch crappie with it but I guess he/she was hungry. Man what a fight. Changed over to a larger set-up with 6lb test and a 3 inch Berkeley grub-watermelon color, caught 5 more bass, largest 1 and 1/2 lb down to less than a lb. Rain moved in and so did I. no pictures because I thought I would not catch much with the low pressure and rain.

SAAHWEET!

[birdy]

Couple more good sized bass tonight, all on 3 inch Berkely power bait watermelon grub, 6lb test.

[Jigfishn10]

Some nice oinkers right there birdy! They're liking that grub for sure. Congrats.

[birdy]

Some nice oinkers right there birdy! They're liking that grub for sure. Congrats.

Caught a few more with the high water tonight. Got dumped on last few days, caught a small window tonight. Have taken your advice and switched to 8lb yozuri line, they are putting up quite a fight now.

2+ lb nice fight.