Back-to-Back 100+ Fish Days – 132 White Bass

CLIENTS: This morning, Wednesday, March 11, I fished with a two man team once again in support of the Temple College study comparing white bass populations on Lake Belton and Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir. Joining me is Air Force veteran Dennis Graham, and his nephew, Jay Standard.

Conducting the research this morning was Professor Jason Locklin and two students, both young ladies from Academy, Texas, Audrey Wildes and Jenna Krueger.

ABOUT THE WHITE BASS STUDY:
Through April of 2026, researchers will be measuring and weighing the white bass captured by my clients to consider establish a baseline of fish quality on both lakes. If you come out fishing with me to help collect these fish, you will get $70 deducted from your fee in exchange for allowing researchers to accompany your party on my boat. We have designated one sampling day per lake, per month through April of 2026. We will still be catching and releasing all fish.

REMAINING OPEN DATES FOR DISCOUNTED WHITE BASS STUDY FISHING TRIPS:
Tuesday, 24 March – Trip discounted $70, from $315 to $245

TODAY’S DATE: 11 March 2026 (AM)


NEXT OPEN DATES FOR FISHING: 24 March (AM or PM)

PHOTO CAPTION: From left: USAF veteran Dennis Graham and Jay Standard with a few of the 132 white bass they took using vertical tactics with warming water conditions on Lake Belton. Their catch was made on the white, 5/8 oz. Bladed Hazy Eye Slab with stinger hook.

FIND LURES HERE: https://whitebasstools.com/


WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton


SUMMARY OF HOW WE FISHED:

As I woke in the 4 o’clock hour, a storm system had just begun dropping rain as it moved from southwest to northeast. These storms would continue for another three hours, but cleared from west to east beginning right around our trip start time of 7:30 AM.

This worked out very well, as it kept even the light weekday traffic down and presented us with ideal, prefrontal conditions, thanks to a cold front making its way in from the west and due to hit our area later in the afternoon today.

I witnessed the first bit of threadfin shad spawning taking place right at first light, and so I knew that the turbulence of the overnight storms was not going to hinder our fishing. Indeed, those shad up in the shallows drew the white bass up shallower than they already had been.

We spent our first three hours in water under 25 feet deep working white, 5/8-ounce Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs in conjunction with a splasher and Garmin LiveScope and fished until some mid-morning brightening pushed the fish deeper and settled the bite down significantly.

By 10 AM things had settled down and we moved out to the 30 to 40 foot mark to continue catching these cooler water fish at a slower, but consistent rate. At the four hour mark, our fish count stood at 132 with 100% of the catch consisting of white bass. With poor conditions anticipated tomorrow with post-frontal clear, calm, cloudless conditions, we anticipate getting back on the action come Friday.

RESULTS: 132 fish, all caught and released

TUTORIAL VIDEO ON HOW “SLOW SMOKE” A BLADED HAZY EYE SLAB VERTICALLY: Click here for tutorial

OBSERVATIONS:

-Next to no topwater action today following a weekend cooldown.

-Fishing has improved dramatically with this early spring warmup we are in the midst of

-Light bird action “got us close enough” to allow sonar to do the rest

LATEST WATER TEMPERATURE PROFILE:

Taken on Lake Belton on 05 March 2026, approx. 6:20AM…

Bob Maindelle

Full-time, Professional Fishing Guide and Owner of Holding the Line Guide Service

Belton Lake Fishing Guide, Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide

(254) 368 7411 (call or text)

Website: www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

E-mail: Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bobmaindelle