Ever wonder how the smallest kid at the dinner table always seems to eat the most?  How do they do it?  It's like they have an bottomless pit.  Well, the white bass on Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas have that same attitude.  They will try to eat anything that looks like a quick, easy meal.  That includes a 6-inch Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper in Chrome/Black.  The splashing and walking action of the Pencil Popper draws vicious strikes from striped bass and any bass with an attitude. 

The prime locations for casting Pencil Poppers is over long, gravely points that have strong southern breezes blowing on them.  Peak time to cast Pencil Poppers is early and late or in low light situations.  During the springtime, the bass seem to prefer shad patterns.  Smaller white bass will just swirl under the surface at the Pencil Popper but big whites will annihilate it. 

On Beaver Lake there is no limit on white bass and large schools of them can be found on long gravel points or shoals.  The action can be fast and furious at times.  It is also not unusual to catch them schooling right before dark.

If it's a bass with a large attitude you are trying to catch, you do not need to look any farther.  Just bring a Pencil Popper with you and the white bass will bring the attitude.

White Bass Chowder 

Ingredients:
2 Cups Water
2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
1 Chopped onion
2 Medium peeled cubed potatoes
1 Can evaporated milk
2 Tablespoons Butter
Pepper        
1 Tablespoon sugar
White Bass filets cut in chunks (Striper filets can be used in place of white bass filets)

In large sauce pan place 2 cups Water, 2 chicken bouillon cubes, 1 chopped onion 2 medium peeled, cubed potatoes. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are tender. Add cubed fish filets; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Add 1 can evaporated milk, 2 tablespoons butter, dash of pepper, 1 tablespoon sugar, Bring just to a simmer do not boil. Serve.

Fish Fry Batter
1st Bowl- Milk approximate 2 cups and 1 egg mix well
2nd Bowl-Saltine crackers crushed, seasoning salt, pepper, flour mix together

When oil in deep fryer is hot, dip white bass filet in milk and egg mixture then roll in Saltine cracker mix. Fry until brown.