White Bass

Body Type & Identification: Silver-white with multiple horizontal dark stripes on the sides. Spiny first dorsal fin separated from soft second dorsal. A schooling, open-water species. Distinguished from Striped Bass by the single tooth patch on the tongue (Striped Bass has two).

Preferred Water Temperature: 65°F–75°F. Spring spawning runs up rivers and tailwaters when water reaches 58°F–65°F are the most spectacular and productive fishing. Form large surface-feeding schools ("jumps") in summer and fall that are visible from long distances.

Habitat: Large reservoirs, lakes, and rivers throughout the central and eastern US. Open-water, mid-lake schooling species that follows shad baitfish. Concentrates in river channels, around points, and in creek arm mouths in fall. Spring spawning runs up tributaries are legendary — fish stack up in massive numbers.

Best Lures: Small white or chrome jigs (1/4–1/2 oz) are the classic White Bass lure — cast into surface schools and retrieve fast. Small Rat-L-Trap lipless crankbaits produce excellent results. Chrome blade baits jigged vertically under surface schools are deadly. Small spinnerbaits work around current. Any small, fast-moving lure thrown into a surface "jump" will produce strikes.

Best Baits: Live small shad are outstanding when available. Small live minnows produce consistent results. Cut shad chunks work well at night and in rivers. Small nightcrawlers produce in slower current areas.

Top 5 Destinations: Lake Texoma OK/TX, Keystone Lake OK, Santee Cooper SC, White River AR, Grand Lake OK.