When I clean fish, I tend to check their stomachs to see what they've been eating ... this goes back to when I was a kid & my dad would have us gut the first fish we caught so we could 'match the hatch' better. Anyways, over the last couple years, I've noted that big hybrids tend to have pretty good sized sandbass in their stomach.

Kinda makes me wonder a few things ... do the hybrids develop a preference for sandies over shad after a certain age? does this have a significant effect on sandbass population in a lake? and most importantly, are there any lure designers on here who think they could make a convincing artificial sandbass-design lure to catch monster hybrids? Say a lure about 6"-8" long? I'd be glad to be a beta tester!!

www.acplugs.com/ Hard diving bait with swim tail. I am also experimenting this year with monster daredevil spoons fished slab style - but you need to hover to do it because of drag with broad face. The 3 - 6 lb. hybrids I've caught so far in Hubbard late April/May had empty bellies. Finding a school first is still key, but then upping the ante over them, trying to attract only the biggest one in theory.

Some refer to sandies as bar fish. Saw these, but have not tried them yet.

http://www.lftlures.com/categories/soft-plastics-lft-live-magic-shad-8/products/1308

They also come in 5-1/2". Might have to give them a try some time.

Would be a good Ideal. I have caught some 10" Whites that as I was bringing them up a BIG Hybrid hit. Liked to jerk the rod out of my hand when they did! You could see the marks on them! Below is the pic.

Bar fish = yellow bass

Does TPWD know this?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/wtb/

If they make that in a sandbass pattern, I'm buying some of the 8" models!!

They make a color called Bar Fish (this is the one in the link I previously attached). There is some debate if this refers to sandbass or yellow bass. You might send LFT an e-mail and ask them (lakeforktackle@verizon.net). I thought some of their other colors look more like that of a sandbass. However, if you look at sandbass in the aquariums at BPS and Cabelas, they appear to be darker than they do in sunlight.

You are right. Only heard of yellows being called barfish. I stand corrected!

Zeek the Greek.How big are the hybrids your catching with sandys in them?

Flint the Lake Fork LFT "Live" Magic Shad 8� works great with jig heads or cut a little half C or moon at the mouth (� copper pipe works great for a cutter) then use as a top water popper action lure.

Works great at night around the docks at CC or daytime chasing schoolies. Black, Ch, Bar, wat R/p colors I like

12� - 20� Giant slug o work also

I have never seen hybrids chasing sandbass on the
surface, but I have seen BIG gizzard shad jumping out
of the water many times with a hybrid hot on its tail.

Hybrids will eat almost anything ( chicken liver ),but
I suspect thier main diet is still shad.


Having said that, Lake Texoma doesn't seem to have the
sandbass population that it once had. Whether this is
a function of being preyed on , or competed with, I will
leave that to the biologists.
good luck
MO

this isnt a hybrid

7 to 8 pounds

I agree with Parker, get a bait that is 8" or 10" and let'R rip! I have two baits arriving any day that will fit the 6-7" range!