White Bass Techniques & Locations

[timmbur]

Anyone ever hear of a white bass technique called the "plunker & fly" supposedly perfected on Lake Herrington??? Sounds kind of like a topwater lure with a fly suspended below it.

Also, what is the best white bass run in the state?? I do very well on the Salt but my buddy swears by Green. Many say Nolin is the best. I'd also like to know where the best white bass runs in Tennessee are located. Any info appreciated.

My guess is they'll start staging to run in about 3 weeks.

[Chubminnow]

I'm not sure about the "plunker-n-fly" method for catching white bass. My hunch is that you're probably on target in thinking it's a top water tied with small fly behind it...although I have heard of catching white bass on the "float-n-fly" technique...not exactly the same float-n-fly method that you read so much about on this website for catching smallmouth, but pretty darn close...actually the float-n-fly technique has been around for years for catching crappie and bluegill.

As for the best places to fish for white bass is beyond me as I have never really placed white bass at the top of my fishing list...I do have at least one, if not two or three, white bass trips planned for March/April. My neighbor and I are going to Nolin River...He's about 80 years old and still as healthy as say a 60 year old. He's been going to Nolin River for years and he says all you do is bank fish and wade for them, I'm looking forward to it...I will say this though, I love getting out on the lake in a boat, etc...but for what ever reason I find it very cool to go catch fish without pulling a boat for two or three hours...all in all it's all good as long as I have rod and reel in hand!

[crappiepappy]

>Anyone ever hear of a white
>bass technique called the "plunker
>& fly" supposedly perfected on
>Lake Herrington??? Sounds kind
>of like a topwater lure
>with a fly suspended below
>it.
>
>Also, what is the best white
>bass run in the state??
> I do very well
>on the Salt but my
>buddy swears by Green. Many
>say Nolin is the best.
>I'd also like to know
>where the best white bass
>runs in Tennessee are located.
>Any info appreciated.
>
>My guess is they'll start staging
>to run in about 3
>weeks.


The "Plunker & fly" rig is a popper or chugger topwater plug with a small jig or fly on a leader. It was originally devised to make a "splash/boil - kerplunk sound" to imitate a White Bass hitting a Shad on/near the surface. Generally used during the early Summer to early fall period - when White Bass are usually chasing Shad on the surface. It's an old method (much like the "original" FnF setup) ... I started using it back in the late 50's. I don't know if it originated or was "perfected" on Herrington lake .... but, I do know it did produce quite well, back then, and probably still does.
The heyday of the "World Famous White Bass Run" of Herrington lake is long gone. You still see years when you can get into them pretty good ... but, you seldom see people leaving the "riffles" area of the lake, with stringers of White Bass dragging the ground.
I haven't targeted White Bass in many years ... so I don't have a clue as to where the best runs in the state are. They're probably on different lakes from year to year. Any lake with a long enough river emptying into it, and sufficient riffles/pools, with the correct amount of water flow should have a decent White Bass run (if White Bass are present in that lake). .............. cp

[gettingonefishin]

The plunker and fly was hot on Herrington when the whites got in the jumps. The plunker was just a big floating device that made noise and splash, could be made out of anything. I know guys that used a thread spool. The fly was usually a lil skunk. We used to tie 3 on a leader and catch 3 white bass each cast. There is no more days like that on Herrington, hasnt been for years. Those jumps were huge. Sometimes stretching over half the lake, thousands of fish. I do believe the whites are trying to comeback. I caught quiet a few last year. Those Hybrids are plentiful and some real nice ones in Herrington. Best bet for the Hybrids after the run is trolling. But KDFW dropped the limit to 15 on Herrington so they must not be as plentiful. Last year trolling was not near as good as it was in the years past. I hope it is better this year. Hooking up with a 5 to 10 lb Hybrid is a blast on ultra light gear, I love it.

Good Luck