Late December to February (ice fishing) look for these fish in the deeper sections of the lake. You’ll need to have a spinning rod setup with 4-6lb monofilament or fluorocarbon. The optimal water temperatures are 12 to 20 °C (54 to 68 °F). Many seem to think it’s […] Fishing for white bass is pretty simple. Catching white bass is pretty straight forward. If you have a sonar and can find a deeper school of shad, you should be able to … Little eddies of water danced past the drifting johnboat. The white bass at Utah Lake have definitely turned on. Personally, I like to initially start out by casting a small jig in the 1/16- to 1/8-ounce weight range that has been tipped with a plastic twister tail in the 2- to 3-inch size. In late Summer and early Autumn, schools of White Bass feed near the surface of the water on shad in the southern United States. Several incomplete lines or stripes run horizontally on each side of the body. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Once the guides locate a school, they ease in quietly using a trolling motor and fish under the schooling shad with deep-running crankbaits and white jigs tipped with white curly tailed grubs. White bass fishing in the summer changes a lot from early to late summer. The white bass won’t be very far behind, so find the baitfish and you can find the white bass. White bass tend to migrate upstream and you can find huge populations of them. White bass are typically found in large to medium-sized rivers, but they also inhabit larger lakes and reservoirs in some areas. White bass will congregate to these areas looking to feed on small bait fish and other forage.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'tiltfishing_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_14',119,'0','0'])); After the spawn when water temperatures continue to rise white bass will begin heading out to deeper cooler water, where they will spend their summer. For more information about fishing for white bass check out this article: Winter White Bass Blast! Man-made reservoirs present different options than natural lakes. LINCOLN, Neb. The versatility, effectiveness and overall ability to get you some big bites makes the swim jig a must have for... 20 Kayak Fishing Tips to Make You a Better Angler. In the early summer when the water temps haven’t gotten too hot, it will be easier to find them near the surface. The second location where trophy striped bass are found in July is not as obvious as the fast water below the big dams. At times I was confused and became frustrated. They concentrate under bridges and where long points "squeeze" the size of the lake down, so trolling or casting those areas works well. Colors: White, chartreuse, black, silver and pink. Tiltfishing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you are reading this article you are probably wondering how you can catch white bass. You will find that autumn white bass will take both small and big lures. Seasonal Patterns Winter. “During the summer, white bass will school up and force gizzard shad to boil on the water surface during the feeding frenzy. I referenced sand bass a few times in this video, that’s what we call them here in Texas but sand bass and white bass are one in the same. After the spawn when water temperatures continue to rise white bass will begin heading out to deeper cooler water, where they will spend their summer. White bass are typically found in large to medium-sized rivers, but they also inhabit larger lakes and reservoirs in some areas. Catching White Bass In Summer. Often times anglers waste a ton of time fishing in unproductive areas. Colors: White, chartreuse, black, gray, flies with sparkle and flash are the best. When anglers find good numbers of stripers, the fish tend to run smaller. There is some great fishing on our rivers in the Midwest that contain white bass. Also during the summer, local guides look for shad schools breaking the surface as a result of being chased by white bass, stripers and hybrids. They often spawn in moving water in a tributary stream, but they will spawn in windswept lake shores. White bass are active fish that feed constantly. Then you can pick up and find them again and repeat the process. Catfishing tips, techniques and information from professional catfish guides anglers. White bass are silvery shading from dark-gray or black on the back to white on the belly. Fishing for white bass is pretty straightforward and simple however there are some key tips and strategies you should keep in mind as you fish for and target these fish. (Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission) By staying versatile and fishing for a variety of species, an angler can almost always find something biting somewhere in the state – even in late summer. Aaron Warner is an avid angler with over 15 years of experience. The flash, sound and vibration of these lures is what makes these spinners so effective. Check the annual Nebraska Fishing Forecast for other picks at OutdoorNebraska.gov/fishingforecast. In this weeks video I take you out on a Texas lake in the later part of the summer and cover a bunch of tips and techniques to help you catch more white bass (and I’m not trolling either). Fishing for spawning White Bass can be hit or miss. In late Summer and early Autumn, schools of White Bass feed near the surface of the water on shad in the southern United States. For more information about fishing for white bass in the fall check out this article: It’s Time for Huge White Bass. For more in-depth information on how to target and catch white bass, please continue reading below. Fluorocarbon is my preferred choice because of the sensitivity but monofilament is more affordable and works great as well. Here are some high percentage areas that are typically great places to catch white bass: Best White Bass Fishing Spotseval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'tiltfishing_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_17',118,'0','0'])); One of the great things about fishing for white bass is that you can catch them year round as long as you know what to look for and what to use. Technique: Vary your retrieval speed and mix it up by adding hops and jerks. Spring, summer, and fall offers the best trophy fishing. The key to having success in the summer is to find current & cooler water. Late December to February (ice fishing) look for these fish in the deeper sections of the lake. Techniques for catching summer white bass often vary greatly as water temperature changes. Filed Under: Techniques Tagged With: white bass, Chad Ferguson is a pro catfish guide with over fifteen years experience fishing professionally for catfish, outdoor writer, photographer and noted authority on catfish fishing. He has participated and won fishing tournaments all over the country and enjoys fishing for bass, trout, walleye and other species. White Bass Summer Fishing Deep Water Techniques. Most anglers will throw in the towel and wait until spring to fish again, but this can be a big mistake. In summer and fall, you will most likely be fishing deeper water or at least over deeper water. – Mid-to-late-summer provides some of the best opportunities to catch white bass and wipers in Nebraska. Because these fishing don’t get very big the best rod and reel setup for these fish is a light to medium power, 6-7-foot rod. You can catch so many that you'll wind up going home with a sore arm and some great memories. 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. Here is the different gear you’ll need to get started: An average white bass is typically around 12 inches. Schools of fish, numbering from less than a dozen fish to several hundred fish, will begin to move upstream together. You can catch fish all day long, even in the heat of the day. It seems that the voracious whites are often at their best just as other species have entered their summer … On warm days they tend to feed on the surface. This site is owned and operated by Aaron Warner. They’re an easy fish to target, they taste great and they are a lot of fun to catch.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',108,'0','0'])); Here are 4 easy steps on how to catch white bass: Let’s talk about each of these in more detail.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-box-4','ezslot_5',109,'0','0'])); Just like any other type of fishing, having the right setup and gear is super important and will make your life a lot easier. Because white bass aren’t very big and the baits and lures you’ll be using are fairly small, the best line to use is 4-6lb monofilament or fluorocarbon. This light fishing setup will allow you to easily cast lighter baits and lures and will make fishing these feisty fish a lot of fun. Look for several clear spots about the size of a butter dish lid. "A lot of times, fish will be concentrated in one small spot. Required fields are marked *. One of my favorite ways to target bass in grass and around cover is with a swim jig. The first thing you’ll need to identify is what bodies of water have a good population of white bass near you. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',114,'0','0'])); Here are the best baits and lures to use while fishing for white bass. Tip: A worm and a bobber is super effective especially for kids. Seasonal Patterns Winter. The most productive white bass areas are rivers, creeks and streams or anywhere there is current. “Whites are easy to catch,” McVicker said. Summer bass fishing is really fun once you know where to look! To help you be successful regardless of what time of year you are fishing in, I’ve created this quick guide on how to catch white bass by the different seasons. In lakes look for the baitfish. But to consistently find white bass, it takes knowing dozens of potential fish-holding locations and how to "read" those fish. But to consistently find white bass, it takes knowing dozens of potential fish-holding locations and how to "read" those fish. Technique: Mix up the speed of your retrieval by adding hops and jerks. This transition and the spawn provides anglers with some great fishing opportunities. Best Baits: Red worms, night crawlers, wax worms and thin white bass meat. In the summer, schools of white bass roam open water chasing baitfish. Surface Fishing. During the summer months in Texas lakes, white bass can be found surface-feeding in huge schools in mornings and evenings, and even during the midday heat. So when you start to get those bites, it would be wise to get your line back in the water. Whites prefer to spend their time in water deeper than 10-feet. When of the most important things to understand when trying to catch white bass is selecting the right baits and lures. During the summer months anglers enjoy good success for white bass averaging between one and two pounds. During this time of year white bass will typically be found schooling deep around humps, river bars, long points and other types of structure. However, after years of experience and fishing with other anglers. As the summer progresses, the water warms up. Having success as angler in a kayak is a... Our passion for fishing is what drives us to do everything possible to empower other anglers. If fly fishing is more your style, there are plenty of flies that will help you catch a ton of white bass.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tiltfishing_com-leader-3','ezslot_11',117,'0','0'])); Here some of the most effective from my experience: Another very effective way to catch white bass with is with live bait. They don't usually stick to cover but rather travel in packs. I’d go from spot to spot fishing different lures trying to understand how to catch these fish. White bass fishing is a real blast! Your email address will not be published. White Bass Autumn Fishing Drifting is another successful fall technique. Try doing this at the peak of a hot summer day when the sun is high in the sky. In the early spring when the water temperature hits 55 to 60°F, white bass will gather in the upper ends of reservoirs and begin migrating into creek arms and tributary streams leaving behind their winter homes. So how do you catch white bass? If you can find these areas, you’ll have a lot of success. But they often move into shallows to feed. He adds that one key to catching these fish is to hold the boat out from the bank and to cast at a 45-degree upcurrent angle into the hole. Winter can be a great time to catch white bass. Plastic Trailers: 1.5 to 3inch. Best Flies: Clouser minnow, wooly bugger, sparkle minnow. Schools of small shad can be the key here. I was able to learn key strategies, tips and techniques on how to successfully catch white bass.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'tiltfishing_com-box-3','ezslot_6',106,'0','0'])); And in this no-nonsense guide, I’ll share with you everything I’ve learned over the years and show you exactly how to catch white bass. White bass fishing in the summer changes a lot from early to late summer. -- Jarid; I find that fishing under any type of bridge or tree that shades part of the water can be extremely beneficial. Getting the Jump on Late-Summer White Bass Sunrise that summer day was spectacular. Anglers can look for boils on the surface, baitfish jumping out of the water, and frenzied gull activity … "A lot of times, fish will be concentrated in one small spot. White bass isn’t very big so it’s important to have a small bait profile. When the white bass schools retreat to their deeper-water, summer haunts, McVickers slays white bass, yellow bass, and a variety of other species by bouncing a Cotton Cordell jigging spoon around drops, ledges, and humps. During the summer, white bass are continually moving in search of food. … During the summer, white bass are continually moving in search of food. White bass will group up and become more aggressive making them easy targets once you can track them down. If you’re fishing a river system, look upstream. Catching white bass in the summertime can be all about finding what they’re feeding on. You can do this by simply performing a google search where you’ll find plenty of websites with information on where you can find white bass. The new multi-year 2016-2017 Illinois Fishing Information booklet lists more than a … They’ve had all spring and summer to feed up and will be some of the biggest you’ll catch all year. White and chartreuse tube jigs seemed to be the most effective. Many anglers resort to trolling for white bass when it gets really hot but in most cases there are better ways to catch these fish. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-leader-1','ezslot_3',112,'0','0'])); Some other helpful items you’ll need when fishing for white bass is a nice set of pliers and some line snippers. Crankbaits, jigs, swimbaits & spinners are all great ways to catch white bass in the summer. Get more exclusive catfish fishing tips here by email, make sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram and Twitter, Your email address will not be published. Rarely is there an “ace in the hole”. Once you’ve found a good place to try it’s time to start scouting out some areas to start fishing. .mobile-leaderboard-2-multi{display:block !important;float:none;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-top:15px !important;min-height:400px;min-width:580px;text-align:center !important;}eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tiltfishing_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_15',121,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tiltfishing_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',121,'0','1'])); You can find and catch white bass all winter long fishing lakes through the ice, in river or in open water. One of the most important aspects of fishing is understanding where to find and catch the fish that you are targeting. Next you’ll need to select a lure (my favorite is a small jig). Seek out spawning sunfish to find an exceptionally large summer bass. The sand bass then head back to the main lake afterward where they can still be caught around sandy flats and later in … We caught around 20 white bass in a couple of hours and had many bites where we could not connect. They are known to find their home spawning ground even if it is moved to a different part of the same lake. During that time, white bass and wipers chase baitfish towards the surface, usually early and late in the day. White bass do not leave the reservoir en masse as many imagine. Techniques for catching summer white bass often vary greatly as water temperature changes. In the spring, look for white bass as they're running up creeks and rivers to spawn. Spring, summer, and fall offers the best trophy fishing. White bass may be found anywhere throughout the water column based on where the baitfish are. In the spring the best areas are typically going to be where the water temperature is the warmest. Common Techniques:  Worm and bobber, tipping your jig with some bait or a light weight jig head with a casting bubble is also effective. This is also a great option for kid and for those that are beginners.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tiltfishing_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',116,'0','0'])); Here are some specific details on the best tube & jigs for white bass: Tip: Try adding a small amount of bait to your jig hook. Cool Facts. Most of the white bass fishing we are doing here is from the bank of creeks. April through October produce the highest number of wipers and white bass. -- Jarid; I find that fishing under any type of bridge or tree that shades part of the water can be extremely beneficial. Try doing this at the peak of a hot summer day when the sun is high in the sky. Below I’ve listed my favorite baits as well as some tips. The springtime is one of the best times of the year to fish for white bass. Broad strokes of tangerine orange painted the White and Mississippi rivers at their juncture in southeast Arkansas. Davis Creek, Calamus, Sutherland, Swanson and Sherman are some of the best reservoirs for white bass this year. Summer fishing for White Bass on “the main lake” is more predictable and is far easier to pattern fish than it was on feeder creeks during the Spring spawn. Many anglers resort to trolling for white bass when it gets really hot but in most cases there are better ways to catch these fish. As far as color, I’ll try to match the forage base in the waters I am fishing. Here are some tips on choosing the right spinner for while targeting white bass”eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tiltfishing_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',115,'0','0'])); Another effective way to catch white bass is with small crank baits and spoons. In rivers target eddies, bends, breaks and shade, Mix in jerks & twitches when using artificial lures. Part of the fun of catching white bass is that they travel in schools, which means if you catch one fish, there are plenty more nearby. At Tilt Fishing we do that by creating articles, videos, and helpful content that is dedicated to helping you improve as an angler and in turn enhance your fishing experience in the great outdoors. White bass will usually start heading down to deeper cooler water. During the summer months anglers enjoy good success for white bass averaging between one and two pounds. I hope that you have found this how to catch white bass fishing guide to be helpful and that you use the techniques, lures and strategies we discussed in this post to help you catch more white bass and in turn have a great time out on the water. Finding sunfish beds are extremely easy. Red worms, wax worms and white bass meat are all great choices. The big stripers won’t be far away. The best waters in Nebraska for summer white bass and wipers tend to be large reservoirs where those open-water predators thrive. An angler searches for white bass on an August evening before the sun sets on Calamus Reservoir in Loup County. The action, vibration and bait imitation makes these another fun way to catch them. Where Will They Be?