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Like many of our fellow White Bass fishers, you are already thinking ahead to spring. The Spring River is one that seems to warm up a little sooner that most rivers in our region. I have kept a fishing journal of my trips for quite a few years and the earliest i have had a decent day of stream fishing for Whites was on the Spring River on February 22nd several years ago. It was a warm late winter which helped. More important than the date is the water temperature. I have to admit that I didn't record the temp in my journal that day, which is the opposite of what I suggest all people who chase early spring White Bass make a habit to do. 

Another suggestion if you have a boat is to launch at Twin Bridges and go upriver and find the deepest water in the river channel and fish small baits (plastic or hair jigs, or Clouser Minnow flies) deep and with a slow retrieve. When the water is cold, less than 60*, the metabolism of White Bass is slow so they are not aggressive and seem willing to grab smaller baits more willingly. The bites will be soft, almost like a Crappie just mouthing your bait. In this scenario in the early season, you will catch small males mostly, but in good numbers if you locate them. 

Lastly, keep in mind that the ODWC has been planting very good numbers of Hybrid Stripers in recent years, so the future is bright for opportunities to catch some of these tackle busters on this fishery.

Please share your experiences, as there aren't many on this board who report on the Spring River.  It is a beautiful river and wonderful fishery!

 

Bill Butts

Springfield MO

"So many fish, so little time"

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I’m always ready to go soremouth a big bunch of White Bass. I don’t care thing about keeping any to eat. To me, they are a Sport fish only. 

A long haul for me, but one I am willing to make if I get a heads up that it’s happening. 

Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish

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27 minutes ago, Ham said:

I’m always ready to go soremouth a big bunch of White Bass. I don’t care thing about keeping any to eat. To me, they are a Sport fish only. 

A long haul for me, but one I am willing to make if I get a heads up that it’s happening. 

       If I get it figured out again this year Ham we will go. Fly rod trip,

   BilletHead

"We have met the enemy and it is us",

Pogo

   If you compete with your fellow anglers, you become their competitor, If you help them you become their friend"

Lefty Kreh

    " Never display your knowledge, you only share it"

Lefty Kreh

         "Eat more bass and there will be more room for walleye to grow!"

BilletHead

    " One thing in life is for sure. If you are careful you can straddle the barbed wire fence but make one mistake and you will be hurting"

BilletHead

  P.S. "May your fences be short or hope you have long legs"

BilletHead

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I’ll bring the 5 weight and the 6 weight. I’ll put a sink tip on the 6 weight. 

Ill be pretty compelled to bring a spinning rod or two though. 

 

Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish

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27 minutes ago, Ham said:

I’ll bring the 5 weight and the 6 weight. I’ll put a sink tip on the 6 weight. 

Ill be pretty compelled to bring a spinning rod or two though. 

 

         A spinning rig is like bringing a banana in the boat on a fly fishing trip, 

BilletHead

"We have met the enemy and it is us",

Pogo

   If you compete with your fellow anglers, you become their competitor, If you help them you become their friend"

Lefty Kreh

    " Never display your knowledge, you only share it"

Lefty Kreh

         "Eat more bass and there will be more room for walleye to grow!"

BilletHead

    " One thing in life is for sure. If you are careful you can straddle the barbed wire fence but make one mistake and you will be hurting"

BilletHead

  P.S. "May your fences be short or hope you have long legs"

BilletHead

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39 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

Don’t let him fly snob you Ham. I always take one with me. 

         Sellout :)

  If I think it is needed I take one too. 

  BilletHead.

"We have met the enemy and it is us",

Pogo

   If you compete with your fellow anglers, you become their competitor, If you help them you become their friend"

Lefty Kreh

    " Never display your knowledge, you only share it"

Lefty Kreh

         "Eat more bass and there will be more room for walleye to grow!"

BilletHead

    " One thing in life is for sure. If you are careful you can straddle the barbed wire fence but make one mistake and you will be hurting"

BilletHead

  P.S. "May your fences be short or hope you have long legs"

BilletHead

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