So I have been wanting to get into "True Bass" fishing. I love fishing for whites and have just recently caught my first couple of hybrids on Somerville and Calaveras.
Today I went to Buchanan for the first time and of course I somehow managed to leave my FF at home ! Found a couple whites but I couldn't find the numbers. Granted fishing blind is tough.
But I managed to hook into my first ever striper. Such a fun fight.

I was trolling one rod with a 3 way swivel 3 foot leader with a DD22 and 6 foot leader with spoons / shad raps. The other rod I had an umbrella rig and then switched out to a jet diver with single jighead and paddletail. I found it interesting that all fish caught hit the DD22 rig. Not a single one on paddletail. I was using only the 10ft jet diver so probably needed to use a deeper one.
Does anyone use jet divers for these fish ?

I have tried out the hellpet rig a couple times unsuccessfully. I see some folks put a weight on the front while others leave the treble in place as sometimes it will get hit.
I think I like the 3 way swivel with the deep diver better as it seems the crank gets hit just as much as trailer.

Anyways I feel like I have been out of place as I have tried getting into LMB and Crappie fishing but neither one has really hit the nail on the head for me.
I am excited to explore this new world that I just recently discovered. Most anglers I talk to roll their eyes when I talk about targeting whites. I don't get it personally. Their loss.

I see your in a yak. Lot of good areas out in front of Llano Cnty boat ramp and black rock easily accessible in a yak

Nice post and some nice fish. Not bad for the very first time fishing a huge lake especially without a graph (fish finder). Good job.

Been there done that.
Leave your electronics at home and it will probably be the last time you do it
Glad you were able to find a way to put one in the boat

I am actually in a Bote Rover (https://www.boteboard.com/products/rover). Its fun but I would never buy it again.
I did launch at Llano County Park. That is a crazy walk way. I felt like I was walking the plank at the ramp it is so high up but i'm assuming that is just because lake is low.
I didn't try to go up that far but from looking at the maps it looks like you can run all the way up the colorado. I am assuming the whites will start heading up that way in another month or so.
I've heard talk they are already starting to head up the creeks at somerville.

I used to bass fish a lot and I would catch a few per trip. It was fun but man when I would read reports of people catch 100+ whites per day I would get really envious. Eventually, I switched and started fishing for whites and crappie and now I rarely ever go bass fishing. The lures are cheaper, the gear is cheaper and you just have a ton more fun.

Same here @longhorn1687!! 20 years ago I accidentally stumbled across some white bass while LMB fishing and have never gone back! And now I have caught white bass in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Michigan!!