White Bass
Morone chrysops · also called Sand Bass, Sandy
The white bass (Morone chrysops), known locally as sand bass, is a schooling temperate bass abundant in Central Texas lakes like Travis, Buchanan and LBJ. It is famous for its spring spawning run up feeder creeks and for summer surface-schooling — fast, light-tackle action and good eating.
Why: Sand bass — fast, schooling fun.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Striped Bass · Hybrid Striped Bass · All Central Texas bass species
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
Sand bass are pure fun. They travel in big schools, so when you find them the action is fast and nonstop — perfect for kids and for filling a cooler if you want to keep a few. The spring run, when they push up the tributaries to spawn, is a Central Texas tradition, and the summer topwater schooling on lakes like Travis and Buchanan can be wide open at first light. We catch them on small swimbaits, slabs and reaction baits.
White Bass at a glance
- Scientific name
- Morone chrysops
- Family
- Moronidae
- Type
- Temperate Bass
- Typical size
- 0.75 lbs average
- Trophy size
- 2 lbs+
- Texas record
- 5.56 lbs — Colorado River (1977)
How to identify a White Bass
Silver-white sides with dark, thin horizontal stripes and a white belly.
- Silvery body with several faint, unbroken horizontal stripes
- Deep, laterally compressed body
- Single tooth patch near the back of the tongue
- Two dorsal fins clearly separated
Quick tell: Deeper-bodied and smaller than a striper, with fainter, often broken stripes and one tongue tooth-patch (a striper has two).
Similar species: Striped Bass · Hybrid Striped Bass
Where to catch White Bass in Central Texas
Abundant in Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Lake Buchanan, Lake LBJ, Marble Falls, Stillhouse, Canyon and Belton.
Lake Travis · Lake Austin · Lake Buchanan · Lake LBJ · Lake Marble Falls · Stillhouse Hollow · Canyon Lake · Lake Belton
How we catch them
A roaming, schooling predator that corners shad and blows up on the surface — chase the birds and the boils.
Spawn: February–April (upstream run) (around 54–65°F). Runs up rivers and feeder creeks in late winter and spring to spawn over gravel — a well-loved seasonal bite.
Go-to techniques: Swimbait Fishing, Crankbait Fishing, Jerkbait, Offshore / Ledge Fishing.
Best lures: Swimbait, Lipless Crankbait, Underspin, Medium-Diving Crankbait, Fluke / Soft Jerkbait.
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall.
The fight: Scrappy and dogged on light tackle — pulls well above its weight.
Eating & regulations
Good table fare — one of the fish we're happy to keep for a fry if you'd like.
Statewide daily bag and 10-inch minimum on most waters; check current regulations.
White Bass FAQs
What is the white bass run?
It's the late-winter to spring migration of sand bass up the feeder creeks and rivers to spawn — a fast, fun, numbers-heavy bite that's a Central Texas tradition.
Can we keep white bass to eat?
Yes — sand bass are good eating and one of the species we're glad to keep a few of within the limit.
Keep exploring
All Central Texas bass species · Guadalupe bass — the Texas state fish · Central Texas bass fishing guide · All 16 lakes we fish
Want to catch a White Bass? See trip rates and book, or call or text 512-762-0190.