The annual migration of the white bass, or also known as sand bass on Lake Sam Rayburn is beginning.
White bass from Sam Rayburn are making their annual spawning run up the rivers and streams that feed Lake Sam Rayburn.
Mostly smaller males lead the way. Typically by early February the males will begin to gather up in larger schools. River bends and deeper holes with less current will usually hold these larger schools of males. Once the larger females start to show up the catch rates skyrocket.
A limit of 25 fish can be caught in a matter of minutes once the fish are enmass in the rivers or streams. By the end of April the activity will wind down and the remaining fish will head back downstream.
Recent high lake levels might make it a little more difficult and harder to find the white bass. Any confluence of two tributaries will be a great spot to start. The migrating fish need running water to spawn.
Check on the downstream side of sandbars or the any deeper holes or eddies that schools can stage up in while waiting for others.
Best bait choices include Roadrunners by Blakemore, or any small inline spinner bait work well. Beetle spins, small crankbaits and crappie jigs will take their share of fish. White bass won’t turn down minnows, small crawfish and night crawlers.
Color choice is based on water clarity. White or Chartreuse if the water is clear to stained; darker colors if the water color is stained to muddy.
Photo courtesy: TPWD
