White Bass

[Sam]

White bass are 'way up in James River already - kinda surprising for this early in the year.

I bank-fished Blunk Hole at Galena yesterday afternoon. A chartreuse swimming minnow on a 1/8 oz. jig head worked best. I ended up with 10 white bass and released a smallmouth, a largemouth, and a goggleye.

The way it started out, I thought I was going to get a limit for sure - but being white bass they turn on and off and there are dry spells. What's also surprising is the size - they're running BIG. Not real good eating like crappie, but they're sure fun to catch.

There were lots of fishermen, and I'm not going this weekend because of the crowds. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (if the weather allows) I'm gonna take my boat and go crappie fishing - the freezer is badly in need of filets.

I'd say the white bass are just coming up - they're in there by the hundreds, not the thousands yet. But with no cold weather in the forecast, they'll probably just go ahead and spawn out in the next couple of weeks and then it'll be over. If there's heavy rain and the river gets up, it'll be over sooner.

In a tree top by the water, just across from the bank fishermen above Blunk Hole, there are bald eagles on a nest. They've got babies they're bringing food (shad) to, and that's fun to watch. If you want your kids to feel what a fight a 3-pound white bass can put up in river current, the next week or two is the time to show 'em.

[Bill Babler]

Sam, Great, Great Report. Just watch'en that eagle has to be worth the price of admission. I wouldn't even need to catch a fish. Might take my wife up and see if we could get a picture. I bought one of them tel-o-photo type lenses for just such an opportunity and that would be a great way to break it in. We won't get too close.

Thanks

[Sam]

Bill - with a telephoto lens I think you could get some great eagle pictures there. You won't bother the eagles, fishermen are buzzing up and down in boats right by their tree and they're not paying a bit of attention. The nest is pretty high up.

I think you'd get the best pictures from the opposite bank where we were. From a boat, you'd be too close and the bottom of the nest would be in the way. We went in at the access the old timers call "Gentry Cave Hole", about 1/2 mile by road above Galena Park. That's the one that has a wooded stile across the fence for fishermen and you hike down a steep ridge to the water just above Blunk Hole.

With a strong telephoto lens, you could probably take some shots from that ridge clear across the river - and then you'd be at the same height, or above, the nest.

Take yer fishing pole.

[bobby b.]

Sam -

I'm new to the area and trying to learn.

Where do the whites spawn - these places you are talking about are not on my maps.

Can you explain a bit for a new guy? Is this area boatable with a John boat and/or how do you get to the area you walk in to?????

Thanks

[Dutch]

Sam

Look here for your answer http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry32708

[bobby b.]

Got it I think - I'll try tomorrow.

Thanks