White Bass Help Please?

[parsonsles87]

ok here is my dilemma. i live in mansfield which is a hour away from any decent fishing. i love to catch white bass. and i have been catching word of whites in fellows and mcdanials . i dont have a boat but i can get to fellows in like 45 minutes. is there anywhere i can bank fish for whites on fellows or mcdanials or in between? i would greatly appreciate any help.

[parsonsles87]

or if someone knows a place closer to mansfild that i can catch whites i would love to know. personal message me if you have to. i can keep a secret.

[Bill Butts]

I think most guys would suggest you direct your efforts and time to going south.

North Fork River east of Gainesville, the Theodosia area on Bull Shoals, and Beaver Creek and the tailwater below Powersite Dam in the Forsyth area are all excellent White Bass fisheries especially in the Spring.

[MSUFisherBear]

Bill, I certainly agree with your comments on those waters. If you have the time/money make the trip. Otherwise, if you are looking for a quick afternoon out, this is what I have found from Fellows and McDaniels. Fellows - I have only found schools of Whites on the south arm of the lake when schooling on shad. Problem with that scenario is you need a boat to get out there. If you don't have one, or don't have a partner, then I would focus my efforts close to the bridge on the upper end of the north arm. I have caught them there schooling at night through the spring. Problem is this time of year, there are LOTS of people in that area catfishing, so getting a good spot to throw for whites can be difficult.

McDaniel - This one is iffy. Considering the only real place to throw from is the Bridge, it can be tough. The sad thing is, this time of year the whites, especially the males that are making their run right about now, can really do a number when you find them in those flats. Being confined to the bank on that lake with limited fishing areas really limits your abilities.

[parsonsles87]

thanks for the info. im gunna have to at least try these places. im a glutton for punishment

[MSUFisherBear]

Parsons, I also meant to tell you... Don't look for enormous schools like you would see on the lakes Bill mentioned. Someone may correct me on this but I believe the whites are not managed in Fellows like the other species and tend to be an inhabitant of the older river system. I was once told that they were placed there by other anglers. I don't know the validity of that statement but from what I have ever gathered from the MDCs outlook, it seems to be that they are certainly not intended to be a considerable portion of the population.