Baits
Bait your hook. Sand bass prefer shad and soft bait such as marabou tailed jigs. When fishing with a lure, choose a lure that is flashy and easily able to catch the sand bass' attention. White or chartreuse grub on a 1/4-ounce or 1/8-ounce jighead is also an ideal set-up for large sand bass. A sidewinder reel is your best reel option; the reel is designed for bass fishing and can handle the weight of large sand bass.
Locations
Cast your line near streams and other moving water. Start at the mouth of a creek, if possible, and follow the tide. When temperatures start to rise, you'll notice a decrease in sand bass populations. This is because sand bass migrate to deeper waters during the spring, and remain there until the end of the year. Fish at lower depths in the main part of the lake you are fishing and continue using the same bait choices as detailed in Section 1.
Feeding Patterns
Regardless of what season you fish, bait fish can help you determine if large sand bass are feeding on bait feet. Birds frequently hunt bait fish, and offer an indication that sand bass are near. The first place you should always look is near running water and near the surface of the water. You'll notice schools of sand bass splashing the water in a feeding frenzy. Large sand bass will be present within the school, but feeding closer to the bottom, so choose a prime spot near the commotion to cast your line deep.
Bottom Fishing
When bottom fishing for large sand bass, which is an option all season long, it's essential that you keep your fishing line slightly above the bottom. Your objective is to keep your lure or bait suspended slightly above the bottom, so you can set your hook without losing your catch in the rocks. For the best action, cast your line as far out horizontally as possible. Let your lure or bait sink to an intermediate or lower depth, which you can manipulate using bobbers, and then wait for large sand bass to strike your line. The largest sand bass frequently remain at the bottom where wounded shad can be found after a feeding.
