Why June is the Best for Crappie and Sand Bass

An Overview of Myself

Before we get into why I think June is the best month to target sand bass (white bass) and crappie (black crappie and white crappie) in Texas, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m Captain Jaden Webb, the operator of Castaways Fishing Guide, which is based in Quinlan, Texas. I have been a guide for almost four years now. If you’re looking for someone who knows the secrets to Lake Tawakoni, I’m your guy!

I’ve been fishing in Texas for almost all of my life, so rest assured our guide service will be putting you on top of the hottest bite in the state! What sets us apart from other fishing guides is that each of our outings is unique and customized to the experience level of you and/or your group. When you book your fishing trip with us, you have the chance to experience the magnificent waters of Lake Tawakoni, located a couple of miles from Dallas. Our main targets would be lake-dwelling species like catfish, white bass, and crappie. So if you’re raring to go and hook these fish up, come with us, and let’s set sail to Lake Tawakoni!

Summer Fishing for Texan Sandies and Crappie

June is my favorite month to fish in Texas. I get really excited when this month comes around because it means there are plenty of sand bass (white bass) and crappie coming to the main lake area. It’s because, during this time, these fish go out into deeper water and school up around structures as they aggressively feed. It’s definitely worth coming to Texas in June because you’ll leave with an unforgettable angling experience!

Fishing for white bass and crappie is as hot as the June heat. These structure-oriented fish and schooling fish keep lake anglers busy, so you may see many bending their rods, using cut bait or live bait, or setting up their jigs. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of fish to go around. Because white bass and crappie are migratory fish, they return to the main lake areas in the summer after spawning in northern creeks in the spring. White bass and crappie would have set up camp in the lakes by June. The fish would gather around structures and would be feeding on shad, minnow, crayfish, and other baitfish. If you find yourself on a lake in Texas, there’s a great opportunity there to have a successful white bass and crappie fishing trip. Why? Summer fishing for these state-prolific fish can be very easy because they’re more predictable and easier to pattern during this time compared to when you’re trying to target them during spawning or when they’re in a creek channel. Try to find structures in the main lake and cast your line with your bait or jig there. There’s a good chance you’ll keep your hook busy with biting white bass and crappie while staying in the same spot. 

When it comes to going white bass fishing during the summer in Texas, I cannot recommend it enough. Especially for bass anglers expecting a productive fishing session. Compared to largemouth bass and other black bass species, white bass like swimming around in open water. They like to swim constantly, unlike black bass species that like holding still in a certain area. White bass also shares a similarity with striped bass as both like to be around structures. But striped bass doesn’t feed in open water like white bass. You can often see white bass schooling on the surface chasing baitfish. You can conclude that the best way to lure in sandies is by using live bait or prepared bait (ex., worms, minnows.) Actively feeding fish like these are more likely to turn their attention to moving bait because of their natural instincts. Because of these traits, you have more of a chance of catching white bass, and you even get the bonus of learning how to predict the fish’s behavior. 

For those who want more of a challenge, crappie fishing in Texas is arguably the second best to its bass fishing (prominently largemouth bass and smallmouth bass). Crappie are also migratory fish. But they’re more elusive, making them fun to catch. Plus, they are also great fighters. Like white bass, they are predatory fish, so they actively search out smaller baitfish (even hunting smaller fish of their own species). They also like setting up camp around structures and heavy vegetation like weed beds. Similar to white bass, crappie spawn, and nest in shallow water and near shorelines and then migrate to deeper waters in the summer, where you can likely find them around submerged trees and brush piles. They also like being in areas where the currents are stable and unmoving. 

Like white bass, crappie are best caught using live bait or prepared bait because they are also actively feeding during this time. If you want to use an artificial lure, using a tube jig will do the trick. You can also use small jigs, a small plastic bait or crank bait, a small spinner, a buzz bait, a topwater lure, or a Carolina rig in deeper water. 

Lake Tawakoni is an excellent place for those who want to try out their hand at catching plenty of white bass and crappie in Texas’ June month. The lake holds plenty of structure for these fish to congregate and forage around. It’s also a fantastic fishery for those of you who want to reel in striped bass (including hybrid striped bass) and catfish species like channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Because our guide service mainly operates on this lake, you best believe that I’ve spent several of my June months catching plenty of sandies and crappie in its waters.

I hope this got you excited about June fishing here in Texas. So what are you waiting for? If you want to take part in some exciting white bass and crappie fishing under the Texas summer sun, book your next fishing trip with Castaways Fishing Guide! You can also check out our website and Facebook page for more info and updates. I look forward to hearing from you!