Most fair weather bass fisherman have no idea what kind of fishing they are missing when its raining. These fisherman keep their boats on their trailers, there Hummingbird Fish Finders are turned off and their motors are not running and cold. The reality is this, let them stay home! Less fisherman on the water means less pressure and more bites for us in the know on rainy day fishing.
First we had all the cold snow and now with spring arriving we have the bountiful spring rains. All of these conditions does not necessarily mean we can't go out and catch them. These bass are feeding and all we have to do is change a few things and look at the different ways to catch them.
The first thing we as bass fisherman need to understand is what all this rain and snow run off is doing to the water. There is a lot of warmer water entering the lakes through the streams and creeks. This causes the lake water to become murky and even muddy. Its our job to adapt to these water conditions and catch fish.
There are baitfish moving back into these creeks, hanging out near the channels but up on the flats. What you will need to do is use your Hummingbird Fish Finder and locate these channels. Once you have located a channel you will then move off the channel up onto the flats. These baitfish will be found on the flats just off the channels for 20 to 30 yards either side of the channel.
Under such murky water conditions visibility and speed of your presentation are critical. A crankbait moves to fast and the fish will have a hard time locating it and catching it. A much better choice would be a spinnerbait.
Take a 1/2 or 3/4 ounce spinnerbait and slow roll it on these flats. Make sure to keep the bait moving just fast eneough to keep the blades turning but slow enough for it to contact the bottom. You want your spinnerbait to run into, bump and go by any structure you can find on or near the bottom. Also I like to throw a dark colored spinnerbait. I beleive it presents a large dark profile in the dark water. We throw dark jigs and worms in this type water so why not throw a dark spinnerbait?
You will find most of the bass up on the flat just off the channel and not in the channel. Usually in 3 to 12 feet of water. Make sure to make many casts in the same area. You cant see the bottom and you never know where the next stump or good piece of structure will be located on that flat.
Don't give up on catching fish on rainy days or after manys straight of precipitation. Get you and your boat out there, turn on your valuable Hummingbird Fish Finder and locate these exact channel edges and fish the flats close by. Don't just give up due to rain and muddy water. With the right positive attitude and proper technique you will catch'm.
