Rain is warm and rain causes the water level to rise up and flood new cover for the fish to use. It also colors the water and washes bugs and worms into the lake. Bass like exploring new cover like people like MTV Cribs. And, being bass they are unable to resist the temptation to check out newly flooded cover.

Add warm, sunny afternoons and you’ve got some great situations.

I have caught bass from 2-6 lbs at Nicasio, Souljule, and Stafford by targeting 45 degree angle banks with brush. My two biggest came on spinner baits, helicoptered down outside brush lines where the fish are suspended. I also caught fish off brush piles with a Balsa B shallow crank and a Carolina rigged brush hog.

As a side note, I’ve heard from some customers that Alpine has a decent smallmouth bite going on with spinner baits, jigs, and Senkos - all fished in lay downs.