McVicker’s words proved prophetic as moments later a bigger fish nailed a jig that I cast toward a log. The phenomenon can be experienced on most waters where white bass are found. A 3/0 to 4/0 hook should work well for most white bass fishing situations. “You are looking for those 14- to 25-foot spots on drops and ledges where the whites will hold during the summer,” McVicker said. There are many ways to fish for sandbass and many places to look for them. Pursuing schooling white bass is another classic pattern. “You can teach a kid to fish around a school of whites,” McVicker said. You can use them by themselves or tip your jigs with small wax worms and meal worms. Finally, McVicker employees a not-so-secret weapon in his pursuit of whites, the jigging spoon.

McVicker and I were enjoying one of the grand traditions of freshwater fishing, the annual spring pilgrimage of white bass migrating upstream to spawning grounds. Target this depth when trolling your crankbait and you might find it works well. “The secret is locating them. On average most white bass are between 10 and 12 inches in size, though some have been known to reach sizes up to 17 inches. It swung in a wide arc toward the far bank, finally wallowing to the surface perhaps 40 feet downstream from the boat. If you’re fishing in deeper waters try trolling them. The best swimbaits are the ones that resemble what the white bass are already eating. A good alternative is a Heddon Tiny Torpedo, although the streamlined Jumping Minnow allows for exceptionally long casts on spinning or casting tackle. The best lures are going to be small in size, usually from 1/16 to 1/8 ounce. size they make up for in numbers if you know how and when to fish for them. In the wintertime, white bass move into lakes and are usually found under large schools of baitfish. The sand bass then head back to the main lake afterward where they can still be caught around sandy flats and later in … Make sure to keep it either at the same level as them, or above the white bass. Fishing from the bank is great for anglers learning the sport or for those without access to a fishing boat. You can also productively use worms when fishing for white bass. Sand Bass, these fish can make for a great time for the entire family because of the potential of nonstop action when you find a school of them hanging around an underwater hump, staging around an old roadbed and especially during the, This cousin of the striped bass has some similar attributes. But they will also spawn in lake shores if the conditions are right. White bass tend to spawn in the spring from March to May. Gently reel your spinner through the area and you may get a hungry white bass to attack your bait. Most fishermen already own the equipment necessary to catch white bass. Another classic stream lure is the Warden’s Rooster Tail. Then you can pick up and find them again and repeat the process. This is an ideal time to use your sonar to find huge schools in deeper waters. The IGFA world record white bass measured approximately 18.5 in length weighing in at about 4.3 pounds. As the end of winter draws closer white bass move upstream to search for their spawning areas. But you got to know where to find them and what to use. They also tend to come to the surface to feed on smaller baitfish, so you can look for the baitfish in the waters you are fishing to find hungry white bass nearby. Lure choices vary from place to place. There are some that will really grab their attention, not only during spring but year Photos by Greg McCain. If you use too large of a lure you may not get the bass to bite, or be able to set your hook properly. Since white bass are known to eat shad, using them as bait can be a great way to get the fish to bite. If you’re fishing a river system, look upstream.

They do not feed when the food is below them. You can catch so many that you'll wind up going home with a sore arm and some great memories. In big rivers, they tend to spawn just below dams when their migration upstream is blocked. This cousin of the striped bass has some similar attributes. A good white bass weighs two pounds, a trophy pushes three, and anything bigger is the exception. They have large rough scales and two dorsal fins.

“Now is the time to catch these big females,” McVicker said on a spring afternoon. If you’re fishing for white bass, we created this guide for you. So keep that in mind when casting your lure. The great lakes regions, lake Erie, Arkansas river, Winnebago lakes system, and many Mississippi tributaries are common spots to catch these fish. This is during the spawn at the start of spring and last for a few weeks. Hook them and let the minnows swim around a little bit to entice hungry white bass in the area. Photos by Greg McCain. Much depends upon the venue, the season and the weather conditions. To optimize the fun of white bass fishing, also consider downsizing. It's definitely an opportunity to travel light and just have a great day fishing. You may have to use a GPS to successfully locate these schools. Stripe fishing provides fun for all. Whether your out on a boat, looking for structure like humps and roadbeds or if you are on the shore of a creek where white bass go to spawn each spring. A three-pound white bass is about all an ultra-light spinning rig and four-pound test can handle, and break-offs are common. They are also the state fish of Oklahoma. “It doesn’t get much better than this,” McVicker said. Here in Texas, we are able to take 25 sandies and they have to be at least 10 inches in length. Your best bet is to find schools of smaller fish like shad that white bass are feeding on. “Whites are easy to catch,” McVicker said. Something that has a lot of action or has some flash. After white bass spawn, they return to open waters in lakes and can school in large numbers, making it a great time to fish. In large reservoirs look in the upper section of the lake. These fish can be caught in much the same ways as fishing for schoolers in main-lake areas. White bass tend to swim around searching for baitfish, so where you find large schools of baitfish, you are sure to find hungry white bass nearby. “The tailrace areas also provide perhaps the best opportunity for bank fishing for stripes.”. In northern parts of the U.S. and Canada, white bass move into deeper waters earlier in the fall as they head toward their winter destinations. In the south, they spawn earlier. “They’re loaded with roe, and you can easily catch a three-pounder or bigger at this time of year.”. Fishing white bass in the summer is a favorite of many anglers. We were far up the stream portion of Cedar Creek Lake, a small reservoir in Northwest Alabama. On these spots, they will herd shad and push them to the surface. They are found near deep holes near the tributary mouths where there is good current flow.

Stripes that have a pattern of broken lateral lines are likely hybrids – crosses between the white bass and striped bass – or yellow bass, a smaller relative of the white. During the spring run, these bass will strike at just about anything.

You can find white bass all over the United States. If you’re trying to identify white bass they are commonly a silver to white color or pale green. You can often get a white bass to chase your spoon this way. The moving waters generated by electricity production attract stripes by the thousands, and numerous stripe fishermen as well. “That’s a white,” McVicker said with the confidence accrued through dozens of years on the water. The migration provides any number of opportunities to catch white bass, which are eager feeders and can be caught by using a variety of methods and lure or bait options. They will be found anywhere you can find those 1½- to three-inch schools of yellowtails.

For white bass we recommend either a spinning rod and reel or baitcasting rod and reel. These tend to work very well when ice fishing when the fish are a little bit slower. This particular individual bored into the shallow stream, turned its broadside into the current, and ripped off a short run before succumbing to the steady pressure of the rod. In early fall and summer when white bass come to the surface to feed on smaller baitfish, a spinnerbait can be highly effective. An excellent choice is the Rebel Jumping Minnow in bone color. Look for them in creeks, bays, and rivers feeding on schools of baitfish. Juvenile white bass are known to eat a wide variety of larvae, bugs, and crayfish. “They will show up in that Christmas tree shape on your electronics. It’s always a good idea to carry a crankbait with you when targeting white bass. White bass tend to migrate upstream and you can find huge populations of them. Opt for a slightly heavier outfit – a medium-action casting combo with 10-pound line works well – for casting the surface lures. Most of the white bass fishing we are doing here is from the bank of creeks. The spring run is short, perhaps a two- or three-week window when the action is really hot. McVicker always has an ultralight combo rigged and ready in his boat. Cast your spoon and let it sink all the way to the bottom and bounce it, letting it fall back down.

He was referring to a white bass – also known as stripe and perhaps a half dozen other monikers within its range. The average white bass is between 1 to 3 pounds, so remember to keep your tackle light. They are commonly fished in many lakes and rivers throughout the midwest and the southern United States.

The best conditions for white bass spawning are between 54 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The white bass contrasts with the larger saltwater stripe, which has bold lateral lines, while the lines on a white are more subtle. Most fishermen already own the equipment necessary to catch white bass. What makes the event so grand is that we could have found the same action on a hundred other similar streams in Alabama. A little bit of live bait can make your presentation even more enticing to hungry fish.

For schooling fish, a variety of lures work well. White bass can be found in the boils where veteran anglers account for a lot of fish. Let the white bass pull your lure and then set your hook. Of course, safety concerns are an issue in tailrace areas, and fishermen should always follow safe boating practices. Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. A good spoon lure can be very effective for catching white bass. A few simple white bass tips will help ensure you max out your limit on these great fish. round. Once you find what they like, you'll be able to stick to that lure for the rest of your outing. In the early springtime many smaller baitfish that white bass feed on move into the warmer parts of the lake which are shallower areas. Adult white bass eat minnows, shad, sunfish, yellow perch, saugers, drum, carp, bullhead, and other smaller fish species. While grubs and Rooster Tails account for many fish, try a small surface lure when the whites are actively feeding.

This is why in later winter tailwater fishing for white bass can be very productive. Jigs in 1/16th and 1/8th ounce weights are ideal for stream fishing. Whether during the spring spawning run or during schooling action later in the year, the overlooked white bass is one of Alabama’s fishing gems. Particularly in the midwest to southern parts of the country.

The distended belly of the fish looked almost grotesque compared to the normally sleek lines of the typical white bass. In late winter or early spring, the fish begin to appear on shallow flats at the mouth of main-lake tributaries. For now we will focus on the white bass spawn and what it takes to catch them. If you’re going to jig spoons look for large schools of baitfish that white bass eat such as shad. White bass don’t jump, but they do a lot of their fighting near the surface. Cash in with these bank fishing tips on landing bass from the shore. The fish, however, sailed into the open water and actually made the drag sing for a few precious seconds before turning. that will really grab their attention, not only during spring but year For fish in shallow water, I will normally start with the Slider grub, but I also like to catch them on the spoon in deeper water.”.