We just had heavy rain the past 2 days here in Northern NJ.

I stopped by our lake last night, water was so high, running over the falls.  This morning it's back down, dark water again but I still can't see 2 feet below to hydrilla anymore (i was catching alot of Bass and Pike right outside of that).

Where are they now?  What should I use?  Small spinners were rockin for me so far, not senkos (or I don't use them well) Its very cool today, sunny and there is a strong current in the middle of the lake.  On the other side of the falls it is very shallow (like 1 foot) and all I've ever caught there were baby bass (real tiny)

Thanks!

Get out there now!!

We've needed this rain badly. The fish are coming out of their heat wave/drought comas and are much more active now. You should be able to hook up on just about anything you throw. Stick with the areas that were productive for you before.

Dark water generally calls for dark baits, but that's not written in stone. I'll bet they would go for a big fat grub rigged on a jighead about now...

Can you Fish after a hard rain or should you wait a few days?

Yes

For me the only problem that sudden rising water levels present in certain lakes is that the fish scatter, they move to the flooded areas and instead of finding them in a limuted surface now I have to work more surface to catch the same amount of fish.

The best time to go fishing is when you've got time to go fishing.  Just deal with whatever conditions you've got that day.

I agree with raul. You can definately catch them after heavy rains but they do tend to scatter with the rise of water levels. But you did say the water has already dropped so they may be right back were they where pre rain.

Remember the heavy rains that shut down Nashville, and ruined the Grand Old Opry?

That was the weekend we arrived at Pickwick for the Road Trip.  None of us had a problem catching fish with the lake several feet above full pool.

Was the hardest rain I've ever fished in.  Big O said he had both bilge pumps running in his boat and the water in his cockpit was above his ankles.

Thunderstorms drove us to ground a few times, but the fishing was great when the skies cleared and the lake's surface was like glass.

Fish areas where the runoff is pouring into the lake.  Bugs and worms caught in the current will attract fish where they enter.

If you don't mind and can handle it, so can the fish.

Went out today and boy, I think dink city got shallow! They were chasing around baitfish but I couldn't get them to hit anything!

Well I was out today, its cold and windy.  Was able to find a bit of still water but no bass biting.  Did land a 2ft pike though--seems each week they get bigger.  Bugger sliced my finger since I had to get down deep to get my favorite lure back!

I hope the bass aren't leaving for the winter  :-/