Yellow bass on flies or lures

[Johnsfolly]

I want to catch some yellow bass to complete my goal to catch all of the temperate bass species in the US. I saw on some blogs with some guys having success catching yellow bass on flies and crappie jigs. Since these fish are found in the midwest I would like to find a way to limit my having to lug bait around as I travel. So any ideas on what baits may be good for this species would be appreciated. Also best times of year etc if you are wiling to share.

I have plans to try a tailwater in Illinois the weekend after Xmas and planning on soaking some worms.Maybe I will get to put them on the list then.

[fishinwrench]

A Clouser, probably a #6 would be my choice on the flyrod.

Sassy Shad on a 1/8 head if using spinning gear.

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44 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

I want to catch some yellow bass to complete my goal to catch all of the temperate bass species in the US. I saw on some blogs with some guys having success catching yellow bass on flies and crappie jigs. Since these fish are found in the midwest I would like to find a way to limit my having to lug bait around as I travel. So any ideas on what baits may be good for this species would be appreciated. Also best times of year etc if you are wiling to share.

I have plans to try a tailwater in Illinois the weekend after Xmas and planning on soaking some worms.Maybe I will get to put them on the list then.

Which lake?  I've fished about all of them.

[Guest]

4

[FishnDave]

Good luck on your quest!  If you don't reach your goal in Illinois, Clear Lake, Iowa, has some good-sized Yellow Bass, as does West Okoboji Lake, Iowa.

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7 minutes ago, siusaluki said:

Crab orchard lake is full of them near the dam but they are usually tiny.  Rend lake and Carlyle also good bets.  PM me if you want to know a lake with some in the 12-15” range.

@Johnsfolly is on the hunt for them.  I've caught them at Rend and Carlyle.  Rend might be too low to have a tailwater???  Carlyle is probably his best bet don't you think?  Shelbyville maybe?

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Oh yeah, I forgot.  Chartreuse/white or blue/white clouser caught them for me.

[Johnsfolly]

I am currently looking at fishing the Kaskasia River below Carlyle since it will be on our way back to MD next weekend. Shelbyville is not too far off out of the way either.

2 hours ago, FishnDave said:

Good luck on your quest!  If you don't reach your goal in Illinois, Clear Lake, Iowa, has some good-sized Yellow Bass, as does West Okoboji Lake, Iowa.

I have looked at Clear Lake and Okoboji Lake over the last few years to try to ice fish for yellow bass, but never put together the time or convinced my daughter to go with me.

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51 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

I am currently looking at fishing the Kaskasia River below Carlyle since it will be on our way back to MD next weekend. Shelbyville is not too far off out of the way either.

I have looked at Clear Lake and Okoboji Lake over the last few years to try to ice fish for yellow bass, but never put together the time or convinced my daughter to go with me.

I think Carlyle is your best bet.  Take some pictures please, I haven’t been there in a couple years.  Good luck!  

[Ham]

I have had VERY minimal success with artificial lures on yellow bass.

i have caught a very few on 1 inch Gulp Minnows. I really suggest natural baits.