After the Storm

Nearly a week after Hurricane Irene roared through in September 2011, tens of thousands of fish were dying in North Carolina rivers. The culprit: oxygen levels of less than 1 milligram (mg) per liter, compared to normal levels of 4 to 5. For reference purposes, consider this fact: Fisheries biologists suggest that largemouth bass usually can tolerate readings of even 2 or 3 mg per liter.

So the thousand-dollar question that looms on the horizon is this: Will we end up with the same situation around here as a result of Hurricane Matthew. Only time will reveal the answer to that question.

One thing we can be sure of, however, is that we once again will be dealing with floaters--probably for several days. The North Landing River gauge reached a reading of 4.22 at 11:45 Sunday morning before it started falling. A check just moments ago showed a reading of 2.47, and given the long-range predictions for NW and NE winds I'm seeing, the level likely will keep trending downward.

Everyone running the North Landing, especially this week, would be well-served to be alert for stuff in the water. The unfortunate reality, however, is that floaters many times lurk below the surface, so you may or may not have any warning of impending danger.

Beyond that, of course, is the question of how the fishing is going to be affected. The odds are that what was working for you before Matthew blew into town (and made a nuisance of himself) won't be working now, especially if the sun comes out bright and stays that way. Don't make that assumption, though; check it out first.

If bright conditions do follow the storm, you'll probably have to slow down your presentations and work your lures closer to cover for success.

You'll also have to check the areas you normally fish for runoff. See how muddy the water has become. If these areas were clear and then became muddy, the bass will be hard to find. The first place you'll need to look for then will be where the muddy water meets the clear. The edge created by the clear and muddy water is where bass will move to feed.

One of the main things to keep in mind is that, even if an area becomes muddy following heavy rain, you still can find clearer water if you move far enough up the feeder creeks. This is one condition you can use to your advantage. Some anglers have had banner fishing days in feeder creeks, while no one else was having any success at all.

Be aware that, right after a hard rain, you may have to deal with a current, which will position bass on points downstream and really bunch them up. Even a slight change in the current will really make the fish active and can result in an excellent day on the water. Fish will be active on points, but they will be feeding in other areas, too. Just be aware of this, and fish accordingly.

According to KVD, "The best areas for me have been those in which the water is more restricted, such as tubes, culverts or small streams coming into a lake or river. That restriction helps confine the bass to a smaller area and make them easier to locate. Oftentimes, the water is clear; other times, it's chocolate mud.

"The color dictates my lure choice (see accompanying chart at left of frequently used muddy-water baits). When it's dirty, the spinnerbait is my favorite lure, because I can fish it top to bottom. I will get as shallow as I can and cast right up to the outflow and move it out with the current.

"Don't overlook topwaters, either. If the water is clear, the Strike King Caffeine Shad, a soft jerkbait, can be a killer. Crankbaits, or even jigs, work, too. Simply choose a lure that imitates the local baitfish because that's the primary forage in that situation. And remember, this feeding frenzy can happen quickly; it may last an hour or so, or it may last for an entire day."

Fishing after a heavy rain mostly is a matter of common sense. If the water is rising, fish will move shallower; if the water is falling, they will move out deeper. And don't forget you might want to try brightly-colored and/or noisier baits should the water be muddy, whereas more natural or subtle colors can be used in clearer water.

On a final note, you might want to remember these words of KVD, "It's all about the attitude!"

(NEW) As a result of my visit to West Neck Marina yesterday (Monday, Oct. 10), I became aware that the difference between the river gauge reading and the creek reading (at the time I was there) was about 1.7 or 1.8, instead of the usual 1.3. I suspect this unusual fluctuation may have something to do with the storm that blew through, runoff, etc. The difference probably will settle in once again at about 1.3 when everything gets back to normal. Bottom line: When the river gauge was reading 2.47 yesterday, the creek was sitting at about 4.1 or 4.2, NOT the 3.7 you would expect.