12/9 and 12/10: Still finding and catching white bass on shallow (13 to 18 fow) structures casting and slow-working a Mepps #4 along the bottom. Found fish at Key Ranch Drop-off, 3-Jug Hump, Merrimac Point, Campbell's Hump, and East Dam Hump. Water temp at 57.5 degrees. Found some fish on deeper humps (Dam Ridge and Long Ridge West), but they are almost all 8 to 9 inches.

12/12/2020: Best winter day in several years with 110 white bass, a cat, and a yellow bass. Ninety percent of the whites were magnum size (14 to 16.5 inches and fat). Details: It was cool and choppy, but sunny, and I decided to head north and check out spots I hadn't been to in a while. I left the dock at 9:15 AM, and the first stop was Kevin's Point; there was a large concentration in 15 to 18 fow. I spot-locked in 14 fow and cast down-slope to them. Was catching one about every 2 or 3 casts when I got a call from buddy Gordon, who wanted to join me.

With 14 already caught, I headed back to dock to pick him up. We checked out Saint Annes East before heading back north and caught six there. Next stop was Carolyn Estates Point and caught several in 12 to 16 fow. Then, back to Kevin's Point where we caught quite a few more. Then headed farther north to the Rock Pile. Caught about 5 there and then went to Enchanted Isle Ridge. That's where we caught the most. We left there with the count at 85. We caught 6 more at Doll-house Point in 12 to 18 fow. The last stop was 3-Jug Hump, where we caught the remaining fish in 20 to 23 fow. We headed home at 4:05 PM. Gordon and I both used #4 silver Mepps exclusively. Fish wanted the Mepps kept very close to the bottom and cranked just fast enough to spin the blade. Here we are with a double:

Sounds like a great day. Thanks for the detailed report.

Awesome winter day, DC!

How to work a Mepps #4 in deeper (20 to 30 fow):
The #4 Mepps is 1/3 oz and falls reasonably fast with the 10 lb fluorocarbon, small diameter line that we use. You can work it two ways. If right over the fish, let it free fall to the bottom. Then leave a little slack in the line, jig it a couple of times, then slowly lift it up with the rod just fast enough to make the blade spin. Drop back to the bottom and repeat. Or, instead of lifting with the rod, crank it up a couple of turns just fast enough to make the blade spin. The Mepps is the best at getting the blade to spin quickly and slowly. The other approach is, when you have fish a casting distance away from the boat, make a cast and let it free fall to the bottom. Then take up the slack and make a slow drag about 3 turns of the reel keeping the rod tip as low as possible and pointing the rod somewhat toward the line. Repeat all the way back to the boat. We caught them both ways Saturday. Most of the structures where we find white bass on the bottom like Saturday have sandy bottoms and, for the most part, are clear of stumps and snags.

Thanks so much for the report, Dennis. My neighbor and I also went out for a quick trip on Saturday around 3pm. We arrived at the enchanted isle area around 3:15. No fish on the sonar so we moved on to the rock pile area where we found a large school. The bite was very good and we ended up with around 25 fish. All were very large white bass. I also caught a nice Hybrid. All fish were caught in 16 fow. We left around 4:15 because my neighbor had to pull ribs off his smoker. We both caught fish on our last cast. All on #4 Mepps.

Tim

Thanks for the report and welcome to the forum. Always good to hear Mepps is working for others.

Monday 12/14/2020: Beautiful day today after a rainy Sunday. I got out from 12:30 to 4:30 PM, and fish were still shallow (12 to 17) as well as deep (20 to 27 fow). I caught 50 whites, two hybrids 20 and 21 inches, and a 16 inch LMB all on #4 Mepps. Water temp is 56.5 degrees. I caught them shallow at Key Ranch Drop-off and Merimac Point and deep at Long Ridge West and 3-Jug Hump. I left each spot still catching fish.

Awesome thread.

It was nice to finally meet you on Monday Dennis. I enjoy your posts. Thank you for helping us less experienced fisherman. Look forward to seeing you on the water again.

Thank you for stopping by and saying hello. To all, any time you see my boat, you are welcome to come by, say hello, and even fish alongside if you want.

Thursday Dec 17: Went out from 11 AM til 4 PM and looked at some deep structures. Found and caught fish at Midlake Hump and Spillway Hump in 20 to 24 fow. Also, caught some in 15 to 17 fow at Merimac Point. Caught fish off bottom fishing both vertically right over them and casting and work baiting back to boat. Caught most on #4 Mepps but experimented and caught a few on Sassy Shad. Also, tried drifting and deadsticking with thumper on. Fish came up under the boat but couldn't get any to bite. Ended up with 50 mostly magnum white bass, 2 cats, and a 21 inch hybrid.

GREAT REPORT AS ALWAYS DENNIS THANK YOU.