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Springtime River White Bass
Nick Johnson
Finding white bass in rivers can be challenging at times but knowing the locations of key structures such as dams, log
jams and current breaks can greatly improve your odds. Fish the breaks as you would bass or pike, keeping the bait off
of the bottom slightly or even a few inches beneath the surface. White bass roam for prey more than they lie in wait so
fishing different levels of the water column can be beneficial. The speed of retrieval should be moderate except for
very cold water conditions where the speed should be reduced. Reeling the bait in against the current or perpendicular
to it is another helpful hint because white bass do not like to chase bait downstream if they can help it.
jams and current breaks can greatly improve your odds. Fish the breaks as you would bass or pike, keeping the bait off
of the bottom slightly or even a few inches beneath the surface. White bass roam for prey more than they lie in wait so
fishing different levels of the water column can be beneficial. The speed of retrieval should be moderate except for
very cold water conditions where the speed should be reduced. Reeling the bait in against the current or perpendicular
to it is another helpful hint because white bass do not like to chase bait downstream if they can help it.
As far as baits are concerned, anything imitating a shad or similar baitfish will work great. I typically use lures such as
Rapala shad colored baits and white soft plastic twister jigs with a pink ¼ to ½ ounce jig head. Other lures such as
white #4 Mepps with a silver blade or a crappie size spinnerbaits work well too. In the case where different colors are
employed, fire tiger, chartreuse and yellow can be a good choice. These are most often effective in waters with low
visibility.
For the gear, I like to use a medium to medium heavy spinning rod with 8 to 10 pound test mono. This is pretty common
gear for walleyes and bass so there is really no need to go fancy. The medium heavy rod with heavier line may be
needed in areas with populations of wipers because they grow much larger than white bass and require heavier gear
to land effectively. Long casts are sometimes needed especially below dams or along current breaks so having a
longer rod in the 6.5 to 7 foot range is beneficial.
Knowing the waters to be fished and having the right presentation are the building blocks to any fishing scenario.
Applying these tactics presented in a river or stream situation can help improve the odds for catching white bass and
other temperate bass. White bass are not only tasty, but hard fighting for their size. They are willing biters and fairly
common in many of the rivers and large streams throughout the Midwest. Keep in mind that when spring water levels
are on the rise, the white bass will not be far behind.
Rapala shad colored baits and white soft plastic twister jigs with a pink ¼ to ½ ounce jig head. Other lures such as
white #4 Mepps with a silver blade or a crappie size spinnerbaits work well too. In the case where different colors are
employed, fire tiger, chartreuse and yellow can be a good choice. These are most often effective in waters with low
visibility.
For the gear, I like to use a medium to medium heavy spinning rod with 8 to 10 pound test mono. This is pretty common
gear for walleyes and bass so there is really no need to go fancy. The medium heavy rod with heavier line may be
needed in areas with populations of wipers because they grow much larger than white bass and require heavier gear
to land effectively. Long casts are sometimes needed especially below dams or along current breaks so having a
longer rod in the 6.5 to 7 foot range is beneficial.
Knowing the waters to be fished and having the right presentation are the building blocks to any fishing scenario.
Applying these tactics presented in a river or stream situation can help improve the odds for catching white bass and
other temperate bass. White bass are not only tasty, but hard fighting for their size. They are willing biters and fairly
common in many of the rivers and large streams throughout the Midwest. Keep in mind that when spring water levels
are on the rise, the white bass will not be far behind.
