And speaking of White Bass

[Ham]

So, I definitely noticed in Toledo Bend that the White Bass moved up lake following the old Sabine River channel to go up the Sabine and spawn by the 10's of thousands. I am sure that all the major creek arms had smaller runs of spawning fish and I know that people anchored boats and party barges near necked down bridge areas to intercept White Bass and crappie headed to and from the spawn in other creek arms to try and take advantage of that opportunity.

Upper Toledo Bend was quite a long haul for a day trip (even a very successful one) from my old stomping grounds so I did not make that trip very often. What I would like to figure out is if White Bass head up lake to major creek arms and stage in deeper channels waiting for the right conditions to drive them on further up the creeks. Bull Shoals and Norfork are a good bit closer and I am willing to suffer some poor results trying to get dialed in on this, but I wondered if I could get confirmation from those that know if this is even an idea worth pursuing.

 

[tho1mas]

I  for 25+ years rented a stall at Beaver Creek Dock on Feb 15th to start fishing for the whites. They stage down at Snap Holler, 39mm & Cedar Creek. Depending on the water temp & rains they slowly move up the lake into Beaver Creek, Swan & on up to the dam. Usually by the end of April it was over. Towards the late 80's each year we caught fewer & fewer. I have heard they have made a come back but am almost too old to try again.

Fun times - 1/8 oz chartruse Bass Napper jigs.

Good luck.

[Ham]

Thanks tho1mas, I will look at the maps and try to get a feel for other areas a little close to Mtn Home. I am glad to hear that you had success doing what I hope to work out in some other areas

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

It is a blast up there if you hit it right. Last year i got down there right after a thunder storm and everyone was pulling out. Me and a buddy caught 40-50. It gets very crowded at times. at one point I was trying different baits just to see what they wouldnt bite. My dad went the next day and didnt have a bite. Hard to beat a white vibric rooster tail up there

[Ham]

7 hours ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

at one point I was trying different baits just to see what they wouldnt bite. My dad went the next day and didnt have a bite. Hard to beat a white vibric rooster tail up there

That's one of the things that drives me crazy about White Bass. The light switch on and off nature of them. Last year my Dad and a friend went and found a big bay off of a river and literally could not throw a bait in the water without catching one, they caught 100's on a Tuesday I think. We went on a Thursday and barely caught anything there. We had to go find a different group of fish. 

At times, I know they are there, but they will not stinking bite. 

Im really trying to find them staged before that start the big spring runs. 

 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I know what ya mean, we caught a lot trolling last year about this time from K-dock up to Beaver creek. Beaver Creek is a total zoo when it is on, i actually had someone hook a jerkbait into my motor from the bank one year.   Im gonna look hard for them in Shoal Creek this year. We have got into them before in the spring and it is a lot more secluded 

[trythisonemv]

Had days on little sac and James that were about the same! One day slamming them the next no fish! Hope this year is a good run since the water level is higher it should be really good!

[Terrierman]

Hybrids are the same way. 
On or off. No in between.  Great fishing or total frustration wondering what's wrong.
And what's wrong is wrong day in the wrong place. 

[Ham]

I prefer an honest fish like a river smallie. During warmer water if conditions are halfway decent, they bite every day. God Bless Em.

[Terrierman]

2 minutes ago, Ham said:

I prefer an honest fish like a river smallie. During warmer water if conditions are halfway decent, they bite every day. God Bless Em.

Amen.  Them and tailrace trout.  Predictable if you even halfway know what you are doing.