Fishing for White Bass - 50 degree water, 10 foot flats and fish are suspended 3-4 feet down... they feed up and minnows are busting the surface. 

 

I have other things I can throw (jerkbaits, spinners, spoons, paddletails) but looking for a cold water crankbait option too. I threw a couple squarebills yesterday but they dive more like 4-5 feet and I was "under" the fish too often.  

 

Need a crankbait that is fairly compact, sticky hooks and preferably flashy since the Whities are visual feeders.  

 

Suggestions?

 

 

14 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Need a crankbait that is fairly compact, sticky hooks and preferably flashy since the Whities are visual feeders.  

 

Suggestions?

 

 

Rapala Jointed Shallow Shad-Rap 07 - 2.75" 3/8oz - 3'-5' running depth - Blue Shad, Clown, Purpledescent, or Silver Shad

 

Sebile Magic Swimmer 095SK & 125SK in Natural Shiner or Holo Greenie. Its a small jointed swimbait that can be retrieved slow down to about 4' or burned just under the surface. Stripers, wipers, whites, LM, SM and Spots ALL love it!

   Bomber Long A 13a, 14a OR 15a, in Chrome/Pink/Blue or Chrome Prism/Black Back. Rapala Countdown CD9 or CD11 in Silver works also, but you have to be on top of it and not let it run too deep.     jj

I would fish a walleye style crank for white bass, or maybe a JB like a Long A. If you want to use a bass crank for some reason, Something with a longer body and a wider wobble fished slower or with sweep and pause retrieve. Match the size of the forage.

You can also run heavier line on on your square bill and it will run shallower.

I have the jerk bait angle covered, but yes heavier line might work too?

6th Sense Crush Mini 25X or Curve Finesse might do the trick. Love their colors.

 

Honestly, I'd also try a 1/4oz lipless of some sort If you didn't want to have to work it so fast to keep it at depth.

 

I was shellacking white bass on the Academy-brand red eye shad copy the other day.

Chrome red eyed shade 

megabass flap slap

The crankbait I have had the most success with for whites is the small size Red Eye Shad . Any shad color works .

Lucky Craft 1.5 or 2.0 RT or DRS in Golden Shiner.  

48 minutes ago, galyonj said:

6th Sense Crush Mini 25X or Curve Finesse might do the trick. Love their colors.

 

Honestly, I'd also try a 1/4oz lipless of some sort If you didn't want to have to work it so fast to keep it at depth.

 

I was shellacking white bass on the Academy-brand red eye shad copy the other day.

That Crush Mini is a great suggestion. And yes, I thought about a lipless crank - Steve Pennaz got me

going on the Warpig, maybe the smaller 1/4 oz size would fit the bill..

8 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

That Crush Mini is a great suggestion. And yes, I thought about a lipless crank - Steve Pennaz got me

going on the Warpig, maybe the smaller 1/4 oz size would fit the bill..

 

This isn't specific to white bass, but if I'm throwing a crank, about 75% of the time, it's a lipless. I like throwing square bills, but they're way less effective for me.

If its not to windy to get a long cast 05 and 07 Shallow Shad Raps can get that deep.  If the wind is too stiff to efficiently use shad raps the X Rap Shad Shallow.  

If were talking white and not striped bass, the 2" Pins Minnow has been a solid producer. Its a small lure but casts well with spinning on 4 or 6lb line.

The 2" version of this bait or throw the 3" version on heavier line. 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Flicker_Shad_HD_Shallow_Crankbait/descpage-BFKS.html

10 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The 2" version of this bait or throw the 3" version on heavier line. 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Flicker_Shad_HD_Shallow_Crankbait/descpage-BFKS.html

I had looked at those earlier, I like the price if the pike bite off a bunch. Although they do look pretty light, I wonder about castability... 

I could use an Alphas SV... 

7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I had looked at those earlier, I like the price if the pike bite off a bunch. Although they do look pretty light, I wonder about castability... 

I could use an Alphas SV... 

The bigger size cast really well but I fish them on spinning gear. They don't target cast well, but I assume you're not casting under overhanging trees or around docks for white bass. There's a standard model that is even cheaper than the HD model also. 

 

This one's worth a look. It's been a winner for me. Versatile bait. Will run right at 3ft with the right line choice, Casts great on casting gear.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ima_Bill_Lowen_Squarebill_Crankbait/descpage-IBLSB.html

Bandit 100 or 200 would be my first choice. 2” small profile and a million colors. Casts well