Anyone fished white bass in really cold water temps, i.e. mid-30’s?  If so, are the fish much deeper than when water temps were mid-40’s, and what do you use to catch them?

 

I’m assuming blade baits like a Silver Buddy off the bottom or a jig/blade like below tipped with a Gulp minnow.  
 

Any other suggestions?? 

Around here, on our reservoirs, the white bass move very shallow for a stretch as water temps drop into the 50s, especially if you have super windy conditions. They gorge on shad on windblown flates and bars at the mouth of coves. Once water temps drop much below 50 degrees though, they start moving deep, and by the time we're fishing low to mid 40s, they are often down on main lake creek channels in 20'-40' of water. In our natural lakes during those same time periods, they'll often sit in 50'-75' of water. At those depths, every one you catch goes in the well, and you stop fishing once you have your limit because nothing survives the return due to barotrauma.

 

As for baits, blade baits and jigging spoons do most of the deep work here. Need something to get down to those depths fast and still have some feel. Bladed jig might work if it was heavy enough or wind was light and you could stay vertical. Same with other types of small soft plastics on plain jig heads.

When it is that cold I will use a jigging spoon.  I’ve caught them to 65’ in the winter.

Another vote for a jigging spoon, I like a War Eagle, either white or silver. A jigging Rap is a good one too.

Little George

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-BLDICETSPN.html?from=basres

Spoon! I like cotton cordell