Starting today (July 26, 2018) the Bassmaster Elite Series bass fishing tournament was scheduled to begin on the Upper Chesapeake. Ultimately, it was rescheduled because the flooding and floating debris were out of control. The question still remains, what do you do when faced with flooded waters? The Dean of The Bass University and Chesapeake Bay fishing guide Pete Gluszek is hear to talk about what he would recommend the Elites to do, had they fished the tournament there this week.
Pete Gluszek talks about the challenges that a bass angler faces when fishing high and rising waters. Often the waters become muddy, often the flood waters are cold, also bait fish and bass become very mobile and can be hard to locate. Always the optimist, Gluszek begins by sharing some of the benefits of rain and incoming water and how it can actually be beneficial for catching bass. Learn where the bass might go when waters start rising.
Flooding waters are synonymous with muddy waters. Pete talks about the importance surveying the current conditions of the water to determine if it's an improving from previous days or hours. Learn how to locate the waters that will begin to clear the most quickly. Find out why it's important to know if the rising water is called by local or regional weather events.
You can't fully talk about flooding waters without also talking about receeding waters. Pete fishes the tide, so he deals with rising and dropping waters each day. Learn how to know if the waters are rising or falling. Where to look for fish when the water's coming in, when it's in a flood state, and where bass will setup when the water begins to receed.
Because the temperature of the incoming water can will partially determine the activity of the fish, Gluszek goes on to discuss the seasonal patters for rising water. How does the spring differ from the summer?
Flooded Water Fishing Techniques
Pete Gluszek shares some of the techniques that he uses to target bass in flooded and muddy water situations, like Vibrating Jigs/Chatterbaits. Often fish will not be able to sight feed in these muddier waters. Learn what to look for in a bait that will help fish locate your bait and generate strikes in high and rishing water. You'll also learn how to select baits for outgoing waters as the silt begins to clear out of an area and visibility begins to improve.
Pete ends this "fishing flooded water" seminar by answering some student questions.
Main Topics in This Flooded Water Bass Fishing Class
- 5:50 Rising and flooded water bass fishing
- 6:05 Challenges we face with high rising water
- 7:25 Benefits of incoming water
- 12:35 Muddying vs. clearing water
- 18:40 Know your body of water
- 21:45 Rising vs. falling water
- 29:20 Seasonal patterns spring/fall
- 33:20 Seasonal patterns summertime
- 36:50 High water techniques
- 44:30 Flooded water fishing tackle/equipment
- 45:40 High water baits
