Thread: Sand Bass fishing

Originally Posted by giantsfan

I was around the Arkansas River at Kaw Saturday and didnt see anyone fishing the river for Sandies so its safe to say they haven't started up north.

Around here, the old saying is that when the dogwoods and redbuds bloom, the sandie's and crappie are moving into the creeks and up river to spawn.
With this warm weather, I'd say its soon.

Originally Posted by dennishoddy

Around here, the old saying is that when the dogwoods and redbuds bloom, the sandie's and crappie are moving into the creeks and up river to spawn.
With this warm weather, I'd say its soon.

That is the saying which is why I need to start hitting the rivers and creeks for the sandies as my crappie skills are lacking. I have fished Kaw twice for crappies this winter with zero luck. I see people catch the crappies and I cant so I just accepted I stink at crappie fishing haha.

Originally Posted by giantsfan

That is the saying which is why I need to start hitting the rivers and creeks for the sandies as my crappie skills are lacking. I have fished Kaw twice for crappies this winter with zero luck. I see people catch the crappies and I cant so I just accepted I stink at crappie fishing haha.

this warm rain predicted to be 1" and temps in the mid 70's this weekend should really turn them on in the creeks.

I kinda hate fishing the creeks on kaw when its good. So many boats on every stob that you can walk across them without getting your feet wet. Not my style to anchor and put out a bobber. I'll do it if necessary, but usually its not.

During the run try a 3-5 wt flyrod with a Clouser Minnow. What fun!

Remove the red meat off of the fillet helps considerably.

I agree with cricket george; trim/cut out only the white meat from the fillet and do not take any of the darker strip (blood line). Seeing as how there is no limit on size or quantity it don't hurt to take a few more fish if needed since your keeping a smaller portion of the fillet. I have taken sandies and crappies cut them both to about same size pieces fried'em up served them in the same bowl and no one could tell the difference.

exactly. just remove the red meat and it's good stuff. Texture isn't exactly the same as crappie so I can tell because of that. We love it though.

Sand bass has a different consistency than crappie.
We love to grill sand bass, but crappie falls apart on the grill.

Originally Posted by dennishoddy

Sand bass has a different consistency than crappie.
We love to grill sand bass, but crappie falls apart on the grill.

My thoughts exactly on using sand bass. When fried and de-redmeated, I just don't notice the richness that crappie has. So I just don't put forth the effort and enjoy my grilled cilantro, lime or blackened fish tacos! Make sure and garnish with come fresh coleslaw and fresh cilantro too.

Heading out to Keystone this weekend, to check to check on the Sand Bass and to see if we can get on some Crappie. I will let yall know how we do.