August is the time of year when huge schools of White Bass begin to swarm up and down rivers looking for schools of minnows and baitfish. White Bass, often called Stripers or Striped Bass are common in the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. They are very different from Striped Bass which are salt water fish often reaching 6 feet in length and over 100 pounds. Freshwater White Bass grow up to about 16 inches and 4 pounds.
White Bass are not related to either Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass. These fish are actually members of the panfish family while the White Bass are members of the temperate bass group of fish. They are savage fighters and when you find a school of them the action can be amazing. These fish roam in huge packs and usually drive a school of small fish up against a bank or island and then tear into them like a pack of wolves.
When you see the water boiling and small fish jumping that is the time to start throwing a small lure into the fray. Almost anything will work but good choices are a 1/8 oz lead head jig with a white or yellow twister tail, a Ratl Trap, Rebel Pop R, Mepps #1 or #2 silver spinner or a #5 silver Rapala. The action can be amazing and these fish fight like mad. The only time I ever saw teenage boys ask to quit fishing was once after we’d been fighting 4# White Bass for over an hour non-stop.
There are many of these great fighting fish in both of our rivers and they are very active this time of year. When you’re on the river, watch for the water boiling and baitfish jumping and then get in there and you’ll have some of the fastest fishing you’ll ever see. And, they’re not bad eating either.
by: Dan Bomkamp -author and host of "How's Fishing"
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