I am waiting for the whites to start running at lake georgetown. I started wondering, when should I catch them, before or after they take care of business? And how would I know if they have finished? I know they don't get all disfigured like salmon. But how long do the hang out in the spawn? Do they guard the eggs? Is it practice to keep a female before egg laying and how would I tell?
thanks.

oh no, you dont keep the females, you put them back. Let them lay their eggs

i guess that means they will be really fat, right? like a large mouth female?

When they are done, they will leave the creeks and rivers and head back to the lake. They do not make a "nest" and don't guard the eggs. The females will be larger and much fatter when they are full of eggs.

It's easier to notice the males... and you guys all know how and why! hehehe

Unless you have an extremely low population you are not going to hurt the White bass population by taking spawning fish. You see nature has a way of balancing the populations of many species, especially Shad ( Bait fishes of all types),many fish species, and even coyotes. If the population for a species is low for a particular body of water the spawn will be very successful. If the population is to crowded then the successful spawn will be limited. You would have a very difficult time reducing the numbers of White bass in a lake or river from sport fishing as long as you obey the laws concerning limits. The Black Bass is a very different story you must release them or the populations will suffer badly.
www.lakewhitneystriperfishing.com

That's redundant...oh, you mean fish!

I second that man...

how do the whites actually run?

starts off with a good pair of Nike's or some other good pair of waterproof shoes. then they just run up the creeks.
just kiddin. sorry its gettn late.

+_1 striperfishen, but i personally practice catch and release on just about all my catches

THEY RUN INTO A GAUNTLET IN THE BANKS AND CREEKS
WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE LINED UP THEY ARE RUNNING FOR THERE LIVES!