Hey everyone, there has been recent rain storms that are causing major flooding in California. Does this kind of rain mess with the bass habits such as what they eat, where they position, or places they move too. I am planning to fish more after the lakes re- open. I am hoping to catch some pre spawn fish and some spawning fish. Are there any inputs or tips for me on this? I have never fished a place where there has been some major flooding, so this is a first for me and a lot of people. 

Finding bass in newly flooded areas in California isn't any different here than anywhere else . LMB tend to move up into shallower water whenever it raises using funnel areas that lead into the flooded zones. Look for where the water is flowing out into the lake from flooded flat areas with brush. Bass tend to position at ambush site very near the funnel zones.

Study the lake to determine where bass spawn, usually wind protected flats or bays. Pre spawn bass stage near the first deep water break close to the spawning area.

Tom

WRB nailed it. Also, I use dark lures so they can see the lure in the dirty water. 

The others offered good advice. Cold, muddy water is one of the toughest conditions, but a lure fished slow and VERY tight to the cover should still get bit. I'd go with a rattling, blue black jig and a thumping trailer. Squarebills fished slowly and a slow rolled black spinnerbait should be tried as well. My favorite crank for this situation is a Norman Fat Boy or Rapala DT Fat. Try a gold or black bladed double Colorado with a black skirt. 

19 hours ago, WRB said:

Finding bass in newly flooded areas in California isn't any different here than anywhere else . LMB tend to move up into shallower water whenever it raises using funnel areas that lead into the flooded zones. Look for where the water is flowing out into the lake from flooded flat areas with brush. Bass tend to position at ambush site very near the funnel zones.

Study the lake to determine where bass spawn, usually wind protected flats or bays. Pre spawn bass stage near the first deep water break close to the spawning area.

Tom

Do you think there will be some bass that are not really phased by the flooding? Could there still be bass where they usually are during the prespawn.  such as humps, and points about 15 feet deep. 

In a little over a week it will be March, bass tend to spawn as soon as the water warms and stabilizes in the 62-65 degree temps. Late March early April the spawn should be on at Lopez. Not sure how much Lopez has risen but the bass will first move up to the depth they were at before the water level rise, if that was 15'-20' that is where to start looking. Keep in mind the bass want to eat lots right now so prey is important and the food source is shallower so they will not stay that deep very long.

Tom

It's gonna be some tuff fishing I reckon!

It's still pretty cold up in NorCal, 41 degrees in the morning.  Checking my fishing logs for the past three years, each year the last week of February was when I started to head back out to the local reservoirs which meant by then it was warming up in the morning (didn't note temperatures but I would never have gone out if it were 41 degrees outside).  Lake turnover will probalby be a few weeks last this year, though the high of 68 next Monday makes me optimistic about mid/late-March.