When rivers and lakes flood do the bass follow the water up of stay back in their normal hideouts?

I remember as a kid we would hit on of the lakes up when it flooded and tie the boat to trees on the islands that were now submerged and fish where the bank and treeline met. Caught tons of cats and carps but don't remember catching bass but that could have been because we were fishin the bottom.

Bass will certainly congregate into newly flooded cover, especially grass and timber.

As for this movement in winter, I have no idea. Muddy water absorbs heat faster and the shallow vegetation may absorb heat as well. Timber definitely will. Shallow water will also warm up quickly, and rivers dont experience temperature changes as drastically as ponds and lakes.

What does all this mean for you? I have no idea. But I certainly wouldn't spend a day off sitting inside if I could try it.

For what it's worth, I am primarily a river fisherman, and we are still catching bass fairly regularly at the moment. Bring plenty of jigs with scented trailers!

As jay Ell said, the bass will swim into the newly flooded areas.

Great fishing, too.

Moving water=bass.

Thanks guys thats kinda what I figured but wanted to make sure.

New water, means new place to search for food.  Many times as the water rises, it washes food off the bank, and turns the fish on.  As it get to a point where they can explore new territory, they do!  by all means get out there and give it a try.  Receding water, shuts them down most of the time.  get it while the getting is good!

 

Jeff

Yeah I have always heard that they will swim into the shallow cover. Pitch a black and blue bait with a lot of vibration into the brush.

Dont hold me to this but a few years ago when they had high floods on some lakes people were actually fishing in peoples own backyards. I am pretty sure there is a video on it somewhere.    ( might have been table rock, not sure )