White Lightning

Annual spawning run packs fast action on rivers, creeks across the state

• Major river systems that feed large reservoirs with abundant white bass populations are prone to come alive with the brawny sport fish during early spring as the annual spawning run kicks in to gear. (Photo by Matt Williams)
• White bass are aggressive fish that can be readily caught on a variety of artificial baits like small spinners, crank baits and Rat-L-Traps. The 1/4 ounce Blackmore Roadrunner (pictured here) is an all-time favorite. (Photo by Matt Williams)

Outdoors Writer

There is a springtime shindig brewing on rivers and creeks across Texas. Depending on the location, the fun may have already begun.

The life of the party is Morone chrysops. That’s the scientific moniker pinned on white bass, also called sand bass.

The prolific sport fish are well known for tooling around spacious reservoirs in large gangs. They’ve got bull-in-the-china-cabinet manners when struck by the urge to satisfy an insatiable appetite.

White bass provide anglers of all skill levels with loads of year-round fishing fun on a number of lakes from eastern Texas to the Central Texas Hill Country and beyond.

The pleasure meter always sees an uptick in late winter and early spring. That’s when hordes of the pelagic sport fish fin their way upstream from major reservoirs to create another generation of white bass for anglers to catch.

While the annual white bass spawning run has been known to start as early as New Year’s Day, things usually aren’t hitting on all cylinders until late February through mid-March, possibly lasting into April on some watersheds.

Here’s what happens: When the water temperatures and river flows are right, white bass head upstream in droves. The males typically make the move first, soon to be followed by egg-laden females.

There is not much organization once the actual spawning process gets underway. Nor is there a boyfriend/ girlfriend relationship established among the fish. No spawning beds, either.

A female white bass may be in the company of a swarm males when she releases her eggs, often over rock or gravel in relatively shallow water with some current. The males react by spewing milt that fertilizes the eggs, which in turn drift slowly downstream until they attach to a log, rock or some other underwater obstruction.

The eggs generally hatch within a few days and the juveniles continue the journey back to the lake proper. Those that survive the trip will grow to become keeper- sized fish beyond 10 inches long, usually within two years.

White bass are extremely prolific. A single female may produce nearly 1 million eggs.

The spawning run is always the most pronounced on large river systems and tributaries that feed major reservoirs with abundant white bass populations.

Among the best in eastern Texas are the Sabine River (above Toledo Bend), Trinity River (above Livingston), Neches River (above Lake Palestine), and the Angelina River (above Sam Rayburn).

The Navasota River above Lake Limestone also has rich history, as do moving creeks that feed lakes like Somerville, Cooper, Tawakoni, Lavon, Richland Chambers and Ray Hubbard, among others.

In Central Texas, the Colorado River above lakes Buchanan and LBJ, as well the Llano River are known for some good white bass fishing, as are the Nolan/Brazos river that feeds Lake Whitney.

On Lake Waco, places like Hog Creek along with the North, Middle and South Bosque rivers are definitely worth a look, said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist Mike Baird of Waco.

Baird also mentioned the Nolan River above Pat Cleburne Lake, Cowhouse Creek on Lake Belton, the Lampasas River above Stillhouse Hollow Lake, the Brazos above Lake Granbury and the Navasota River above Fort Parker State Park Lake, Lake Mexia and Lake Limestone as potential hotspots.

“These are the main runs around this area,” Baird said. “Tailrace areas can produce some fish also. The spawning run should be in full gear in rivers and creeks where there is water. Belton and Stillhouse Hollow reservoirs are still quite low, and this might affect the runs in these areas.’

The Perdernaes River above Lake Travis is another well known Central Texas hotspot, but it’s not happening this year due to lack of river flow, according to TPWD fisheries biologist Patrick Ireland of San Marcos.

Ireland said the San Gabriel River above Granger Lake appears to be the top prospec in his district this spring.

“The San Gabriel is probably our best white bass run this year,” Ireland said. “The river is in good shape and I’ve received reports of a good spawning run.”

In eastern Texas, both the Angelina and Sabine have been cranking out steady limits recently. I’ve gotten reports of 150 fish days from the Angelina.

Jane Gallenbach at River Ridge says the upper Sabine has been fishing strong between Deadwood and south to Logansport. For big numbers of large whites the Sabine can’t be beat.

“They are catching them like crazy,” Gallenbach said .”Boat trailers with vehicles were parked along the road all the way up the hill at McFadden last weekend. The the parking lot was full.”

Lake Palestine fishing guide Tom Mayne says there has been plenty of traffic on the Neches River as far north as Chandler — a good sign the spring spawning run is heating up on that popular waterway.

As always, the best catches are coming on small jigs, Roadrunners and other small spinners. Some anglers are tipping their baits with small crawfish, but Gallenbach says it’s really not necessary at this stage of the game.

“Just about anything in the tackle box will work,” she said.

One of many neat things about fishing during the spawning run is you don’t always need a boat to catch fish. Some rivers and creeks have public access points that allow anglers to walk stretches of bank and fish from shore.

Just be sure not to breach private property lines getting there. Penalties for trespassing can be brisk.

Another advantage is white bass are social fish. Where you find one there are likely to be plenty of others nearby. Whites run in schools so tight that it’s not uncommon to snatch a dozen or more fish on consecutive casts out of a single spot spot no larger than a pick-up bed.

Sandies are aggressive, too. And they fight like bulls, especially on light light tackle. Those traits make them fairly easy and always fun to catch. It’s a great starter fish for novices and young anglers.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by email, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.