White bass, or sandbass as they are called in North Texas, is one of the most widely dispersed and often easiest to catch of all the species we anglers target. Did I mention they are also excellent eating? I know, I know, they have that ‘red meat’ strip down the side of the fillet that can give them that ‘fishy’ taste. There is an easy fix that removes the red meat and turns the fillets into snow white strips that are as tasty as any fish in fresh water.
Simply run the fillet knife up a fraction of an inch above the skin while filleting, this leaves the red strip on the skin and results in a beautiful white fillet.
White bass can be very easy to catch on the open waters of our reservoirs, they usually run in big schools and are easy to trick into biting using a variety of baits.
A guide I used to interview often for fishing tips had a saying, "They will hit anything bright and shiny."
He wasn’t wrong.
Most experienced white bass anglers use lead slabs in bright colors to boat white bass when they are stacked on bottom structure, but soft plastics and vibrating crank baits such as Rat-L-Traps are also lethal. The only problem I have with crankbaits is removing the two treble hooks from the fish.
Action is often fast-paced once a feeding school is located and it takes time to dislodge the two treble hooks. In the summer when the big schools scatter, trolling with a deep diving crankbait with a tiny silver spoon trailer is a very effective way to put together a big mess of ‘whites’.
But right now, white bass are gravitating to the rivers and feeder creeks above our lakes, it’s time to procreate for these feisty little battlers and they instinctively head upstream this time of year to deposit their eggs. Usually the males arrive first but a little current and warm early spring sunshine causes the big egg-laden females to push upstream in huge numbers.
To my way of thinking, fishing just doesn’t get any better than walking a slow-moving creek about the time dogwoods are in bloom, tossing downsized Roadrunner jigs or Beetle Spins into the deeper holes often found on the downstream side of steep bends in the creek.
A good friend of mine owns property adjacent a feeder creek above Lake Fork. Several years ago I asked him if he had fished the white bass spawn which usually occurs near the end of February and well into May. He had not and, that first year, we sampled the fishing with a few friends. We caught the spawn at its peak and now, every year about this time, we get a few friends together and enjoy a day on the water. We not only enjoy catching the hard-fighting fish on light tackle but also eating some very fresh fillets.
Since learning of the great creek fishing, not only for white bass but catfish and crappie as well, my buddy has cleared the brush from along the creek which makes accessing the really good spots much easier. He also built a little ‘camp’ on the downstream end of his property. With a fire pit, cleaning table and everything needed for a noontime lunch of fresh fried fish, the spot is perfect for a cook-out.
Each year, we begin our creek fishing by prepping the camp for a fish fry early in the morning. We leave dry wood, skillets, meal, cooking oil, onion and pork 'n beans. We then head upstream and spend the morning fishing our way down to the camp, usually arriving around 11:00 a.m., just in time to begin cleaning fish and building the cookfire. After consuming way too many tasty fillets with all the trimmings, we lounge around our little camp for an hour or so, often soaking up some early spring sunshine like a bunch of turtles fresh out of hibernation!
After lunch some of our group heads back to civilization but we usually repeat our creekbank fishing excursion and often wrap the day up filleting fish again at our little cooking camp. These fillets we freeze for upcoming fish fries. This year, we’re going to do things a bit differently by setting a small trotline down the creek at the camp. Channel catfish usually pack the creek during late spring and summer but every catfish angler knows the big flatheads and blues bite best when the water is still chilly. A little time spent perch jerking at one of the ponds on the ranch should provide enough live bait to entice a big flathead or two to our trotline. What would be wrong with tossing a few pieces of freshly caught flathead catfish fillets into the hot oil along with the white bass?
Tips for fishing the white bass run
When the water is stained or murky, dark colors such as yellow and black or chartreuse work best.
Baits with spinners such as Beetle Spins or Roadrunners are always a good bet.
White lipless vibrating crankbaits draw a lot of strikes; the two treble hooks can be hard to remove. Stick with baits with single "J" style hooks.
When fishing streams from a boat, trolling with one-eight ounce chrome or silver spoons works well to locate concentrations of fish. Once the motherload is located, it’s time to secure the boat and begin casting the Roadrunners or Beetle Spins.
Fish the deeper holes around creek bends. Usually a very slow retrieve works best and when possible present the baits parallel to the bank. But don’t overlook the middle of the creek. Some of the bigger white bass often hold close to bottom in the deepest part of the creek.
Current, warmer water and water clarity are key components to a successful white bass trip.
Light inexpensive tackle works just fine. No need to use line heavier than 10-pound test. Many bank fishermen opt for ultralight spinning reels on short rods. Rods much over 6-feet long often make casting a challenge around brush and trees growing along the creeks.
Don’t overlook fishing smaller tributaries of feeder creeks with clear water. When a distinct mud line is locate, always fish the clear side. The change in water clarity from muddy or stained to clear often concentrates white bass in the more clear water.
Rather than stopping to put fish on a stringer, A light 5 gallon plastic bucket works best for keeping your catch while walking a backwoods creek bank.
Make sure and bring along plenty of baits. It’s a good bet baits will be lost to submerged brush and possibly overhanging limbs.
