As some of you may or may not know, large portions of Iowa have become very badly flooded.  This flood for many areas has been the worst in history books and around here on the Mississippi it isn't the worst, but close.  I field bad for all the people that had to cope with this and they are in my prayers, but for hardcore fisherman, if your not fishing you need to be!

Even though the river is flooded you can still catch plenty of fish in fact you might catch the most and or biggest bass of the year or possibly your life.  Just because the currents fast, the waters muddy and all the trees are flooded doesn't mean you can't catch them and I'm going to give you some tips on fishing flooded water.

The fish are still there.  They didn't get washed downstream, but to avoid the current they probably moved into the backwaters just like in the spring.  So start off your search by going into shallow backwater areas that have little current.  Alot of times these areas might even have clearer water than the rest of the river.

Once you get into these areas get tight on the bank and start casting.  With the rising water the fish will keep going up, up and up into the timber.  They are constantly in search of new food and cover that isn't accessible unless its flooded and in fact sometimes the best spots are spots that are normally dry.  I was fishing a spot the would normally would have been a camping area, but it had 3-4ft of water on top of it.  Way back in the timber I found lots of cover including wood, rock, and tons of grass with duckbutter.  THe duckbutter was key and fishing with a frog was amazing, but that wasn't the only technique.  I caught a ton of fish 3lbs + on a Karulures vibrashock, which in muddy water is probably one of the best baits you could possibly throw.  It has a big coffin style blade that throws absolutely a ton of vibration.  Fish it just like a spinnerbait and you'll catch fish.

When the water starts dropping is when your really going to start having trouble, but once again the fish will still be there and they will probably be close to the same area's for awhile.  With the falling water the bass will be worried about getting trapped on the island so even with 2-3ft on top of islands the bass will start to retreat when the water starts to fall.   Back off the bank and start fishing laydowns and other objects that normally have water around them.

Hopefully if you have to ever fish a flood these few tips I've given you will help out alot.



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