Sand Bass
Hello fellow anglers. Sorry but I had to take some time off from writing to complete my tasks of editing new shows. Now I didn’t say I took any time off from fishing. That is my true passion and is a necessity for a true addict like me.
It just so happens that Cody and I had a chance to go sand bass fishing on Ft. Gibson with a few other future addicted anglers. I had received a few emails from Dan Martin of Kwick Strike Guide Service, asking if we would like to join him for a day on the lake. Of course we could not refuse an offer like that, so I called a few nominee members of our ATFA club (Addicted to Fishing Anonymous) and asked if they would like to join us for a day of sand bass fishing with Dan. Joining us for the day was Justin Martin and his Dad Mike, Easton Rampy and his Dad David.
Now I have never been much for trolling around the lake in search of fish, but I have to admit it was quite enjoyable just sitting on a soft cushioned seat and watching kids hook fish after fish. I love to eat sand bass but have never really gone hunting for them. Dan gave me a quick lesson on how to find these roaming fish and off we went.
It is really quite simple; just throw on a few of your favorite cranks baits, spoons or spinners and go searching for schooling fish. I have found that sand bass typically like white and flashy colors when it comes to the bait that you choose. So we proceeded to troll around ledges, humps and flats in search of the white bass, which is our state fish by the way.
Dan had a unique system that I promised I would not give away, however, I can give you a general idea of how to keep your lines from being tangled during the hunt. We had four poles out, each running at a set depth and length. Of course the back two, both one on the left and the other on the right side, run further behind the boat than the other two on the front of the pontoon boat. This was done by the use of counters on all of the reels. The only thing is when a fish hits on the two back poles you have to reel the fish with the line directly behind the motor to prevent tangling up with the other poles.
So there you have it the complete technique for trolling for sand bass. Like I said it is quite enjoyable to let someone else drive and just sit around enjoying other people’s company. Yes, you get interrupted by the occasional fish jumping on the end of you line, but that is what you have kids for. Let them do all the work reeling in fish after fish while the thought of a tasty sand bass covered in corn meal and smothered in lemon lingers in your head.
With all that being said, we had a very good time with our newly accepted ATFA members. We finished up the day by having a nice shore lunch of deep fried sand bass, smothered with lemon and all the fixings. A meal that would enlighten anyone’s tastes buds. Just the thought of it now has me yearning for another day on the lake with Cody and friends fishing for more sand bass.
Remember, take a kid fishing and instill a memory that will last a lifetime.
