WHITE BASS

We find many anglers have not realized the virtues of the White Bass (sometimes called Sand Bass in southern states) that can be fearsome fighters and give you a great workout on light tackle. White Bass fishing is increasing in popularity so much, even the loyal Bass or Walleye anglers will eagerly engage in the excitement of catching this fish that do not tire out after a single run or a few jump, but will fight all the way in.
The White Bass resemble a small striped bass but the difference is they have only one stripe that goes all the way to the tail and fishing for these fighters during the pre-spawn is just a matter of finding the huge schools. They begin staging near creek mouths on large lakes and rivers when water temps there reach 50 or so. When water temps rise to 58 the spawning run begins as they surge upstream in masses to spawn on the shoals in fast water and muddy water will not hamper the spawn, it just makes fishing for them harder. This run can occur anywhere from real late March towards the end of April and last for two to three weeks. Afterwards, the White Bass return to the lake and become school fish again and sometimes they will linger on flats.
You may find dim light conditions to be the best time to fish for White Bass. These fish are shad junkies and any small lure that mimics shad movement and color will work well. Good choices are in-line spinners, roadrunners, Panther Martins, some spoons, marabou or bucktail jigs and a jig with a twister. Fly fishermen find that streamers with lots of flash are real effective.
On large lakes such as Shelbyville, schools of White Bass can be spotted by gulls diving for baitfish. Just move in close and as quietly as possible and cast into the busy water and reel in fast keeping your bait high in the water. This action is so fast the problem is not catching the fish but getting it landed, unhooked and casting back out for another.
A good rig is to tie two lures or rigs about 18 inches apart for a double hook-up and some real excitement.
White Bass are great to eat if you cool them as soon as they are caught and remove the red flesh near the skin or double fillet and you will have a white flaky slab with mild flavor when fresh. If the fillets are large, cut into pieces by cutting on each side of the line at the tail and zipping that center line out. White Bass don't freeze as well as other fish, so plan your fish fry soon by deep-frying in very hot peanut oil. Another great use we have found is to use White Bass in your fish chowder.
When they are shallow, search the windblown shoreline and points with a 1/8 oz jig and twistertail, a shadbody or a lipless crankbait. During winter and summer when they go deep, always consult your sonar to discover where they are or search with a 1/2 oz jigging spoon in 18 foot or more water along ledges and drop-offs. And one of the best tools for this is a Fle-Fly Jigging Slab which we have available on our site.
During summer they will feed along the surface preying on young shad from May through October when you can rely on diving seagulls to point out the schools. They will move shallow early and late in the day to feed so expect them to always roam in close proximity of their prey - shad.
When the lake waters heat up, White Bass will head out for deeper water while still feeding occasionally and sometime suspend in deep water of 50 foot or more.
White Bass fishing can be amazing, so when the Bass, Crappie or Walleye are not biting, give these hard fighters a try.

Till Next Time BYE & GOOD FISHING