Hit Goose Creek and the Potomac today. They are in flood stage. The MASSIVE ledge mentioned in earlier posts is completely submerged and absolutely invisible. Got no bites. Of course, the water temp was only 49 degrees.

 

So what are the rules (if any) of fishing flooded creeks and/or rivers?

Thanks

Stay home until the water levels go down.

You gat an A+ for speed, but only a C for your brevity.  

Flooded waters just not worth it?
Where do all those fish go?

 

Thanks

Flooded rivers are the worst .A lot of bass   move to  creeks and ditches where there is less current .

Just now, scaleface said:

Flooded rivers are the worst . Bass head up feeder creeks where there is less current .

Just as I thought!!!! That's why I hoped that Goose Creek, which feeds the Potomac, would be gold! But, alas, no bites on either body of water. I suspect it might be linked to the frigid water temps. I had a banner day 3 days ago when the water temp as 55 degrees. Today, it was only 49 degrees.

17 minutes ago, Lord Castlereagh said:

You gat an A+ for speed, but only a C for your brevity.  

Flooded waters just not worth it?
Where do all those fish go?

 

Thanks

You weren't specific about the river you were talking about. In my area, feeder creeks get flooded too as they feed the larger rivers. Water is over the banks, up into the trees and bushes even into peoples yards. At this time of year, sudden temperature drops shut fish down. Water that was clear that then turns to chocolate milk shuts down the bite. My rivers are generally clear and smallmouth are sight feeders. When things go suddenly dark, they don't feed. If your river is always stained, it may not shut the bite off as much. Trying to get in water or float flooded rivers is pretty dangerous. Another reason to stay home. Going out during flooded conditions isn't a good idea. If you insist, you have to find spots VERY tight to shore or wherever the new flooded shoreline may be and fish areas out of any kind of current. These spots may be inches deep, up against trees, or anyplace the bass can get out of the flow. History tells me it's not a good time to fish, so I stay home.

Thanks for the tips, Smallie Chaser. Staying home sounds like the bet. My exquisite library and a cold one.... Ahhh!

If you insist on fishing flooded waters, look for the areas of new water, where there wouldn't normally be water. Lots of cover, vegetation, trees, bushes, etc, and it's out of the current. That's where they'll be.

Keeping in mind you are bank fishing....Muddy water usually pushes them up to the bank.  Look for the biggest eddys you can find.  What was once high and dry is now underwater.  If you remember the shore structure before the high conditions, try to remember where there would be areas the fish could hold with minimal effort.  My rule of thumb when the mud flows is that the fishing can be tough for 3 days.  After that, they've got to eat, muddy water or not.  

Flooded cover up shallow. It warms the fastest too @TOXIC.

Best baits for muddy water up shallow would be a chatter bait or spinner bait for me.

I often find when the water's high it's also fast, which dramatically reduces both WHAT lures I can use, and how effective they are. In almost every case it's just a good time to stay in the man-cave, reorganize, clean, and prep for better conditions. 

40 minutes ago, Preytorien said:

I often find when the water's high it's also fast, which dramatically reduces both WHAT lures I can use, and how effective they are. In almost every case it's just a good time to stay in the man-cave, reorganize, clean, and prep for better conditions. 

What about if your in a tournament and you got money on the line?

1 hour ago, All about da bass said:

What about if your in a tournament and you got money on the line?

I stand by my statement! HA

29 minutes ago, Preytorien said:

I stand by my statement! HA

Lol I can't do that. Especially that there are a lot of points that could keep me in the top 5.

I still  say  hit the creeks . The current is ferocious here , high and muddy . Where the creek is at there is a big eddy .

 

 

As long as the river continues to rise and muddy up, fish a pond.

 

But keep an eye on your local river height chart, once it crests and starts to come down, then is the time to head to the backs of creeks and lakes off the river and fish structure. 

 

Personally I throw topwater baits, chatterbaits, and jigs. And had great success, but I am in the South