Tactics

When schooling in open water in the summertime, these high-energy fish are willing biters that will aggressively chase down and repeatedly strike small baits and lures. More insectivorous than white bass, yellows will key in on insect hatches - and in these situations, a flyrod with a simple foam imitation of the natural will yield heavy catches of this species. Spinning lures (especially small, soft plastic or marabou crappie jigs) can be deadly, especially in deeper water. They also strike small spoons and spinners with reckless abandon. Pounding the bottom while drifting with a vertically presented jigging spoon is a good way to fill up the boat with yellows. However, if they live far enough north to become ice-fishing targets, hardy winter anglers find them quite finicky, staring down the bait and often telegraphing their strikes with only a slight slackening of the line. Small ice flies or small jigging spoons, tipped with maggots, are the ticket when targeting yellows through the ice.