junkman

Hay guys, you are right, i would actually be closer to the little Niangua but just thought bigger sounds better for I figured with the water as low as it is, bigger might mean more water. But I have never seen ether one of them personally. If you guys think the little would be better then were would it be the best? By the way just think of all the blind fishing there would be without this site and all that contribute. Thanks

Fishinwrench, thanks for the tip. Not everyone out there is willing to divulge tips like what you did. sounds like it is at least worth a try to see if it will work. And Wayne, sorry but don't know what NRO means. What ever it is it looks to be a little farther south than I expected to go. My appointment is actually just north west of Camdenton. Figured I could go hit around lead mine access or something close for it did not seam to far out of the way. Thanks again for all the advice.

Guys, thanks for the advice. I guess I will just have to see what the weather brings. In a few weeks it would probably be worth floating it just for the scenery, but thought a little fishing would be nice. You want to know the truth, this will be my first float and fish trip I've ever done and also the first for the boy so that's why I was looking for the advice. Wanted it to be enjoyable and memorable experience. Mark

Have another question for the more experienced out there. Was wanting to plan a trip to the Niangua to co-inside with a speaking engagement I have at LOZ for the middle of Oct. But as I have been reading the posts on the forum I am wondering if small mouth bass fishing would even be any good at that time? Never have caught one, so I figured I would try but as some posts have said fall is not the opportune time to fish the streams for them. Question for those out there that know is, would it be worth the time to take a trip down the Niangua for small mouth or should I just fish the lake for whatever? Any reply Appreciated.

20 years ago i bought a 10 foot jon boat for fifty dollars. was the best 50 dollars spent for it got used hundreds if not thousands of hours. had a old trolling motor that I used most of the time but was able to oar it if need be. never had a license on it. thought I was in trouble a few times when the game warden seen me for back then you needed a license on a trolling motor as well. I now have a 12 ft. heavy duty aluminum v bottom with a 9.8 Mercury that I use. I have about $400 in it and figure it will suit my needs for some time. Was a wild ride out in the middle of Stockton though. And it seems pretty slow when out on Truman, but for what I got in it,I'm not going to change any time soon.

David, welcome welcome and may I say thank you for your service. Good to see another member on the forum and i hope you will find yourself the info needed to catch some of the Midwest's species. Sounds like you are well on your way with a put put. Got one my self that is 12ft. Me and the boy have had some grand times in it and I know you will to. And by the way I live in Nevada, Nevada, Missouri that is LOL. Again welcome to the forum. Mark

Gotmuddy, it is a good hijacking for I would like to know the answer to that question as well.

Hay guys, I appreciate so much your wisdom and input, but I have to say there is a canoe in the yard. My nephew brought one home from KC today that he picked up for $125. It was just a cheep Colman 17 footer but figured for the price it will work till I can save a few bucks and then keep my eyes pealed for a good one. Also figured for that price I can always make my money back on it. Now to plan my trip in a few weeks to Niangua river. Again thanks for all your input guys.

I'm just looking for a used canoe that will work for three people to go fishing in, but have found that I can buy an aluminum canoe cheaper then a plastic (that's if you look in the right spot). Most of your like old towns are two seaters but seen a 17 ft. Grumman with four seats for $325. don't need four seats but at least it had three. Yes it would be nice to have one of those nicer ones but I just can't afford one of those right now. Just looking for something cheap, dependable and accommodating to have fun in.

Ok guys I got a new question for you. what advice do you have for a good aluminum canoe. Need one that can set three and be fished out of. thought about a 17 foot Grumman for they seem the highest in price so assume they are a better one. Any advice would be appreciated. I know they will be louder then most but have about a gallon of the liquid rubber that you use to dip tool handles in. Thought it might work to deaden the sound. Tell me if that is a good idea or a bad one. Thanks Mark

Joe , may I be the first to welcome you to the forum. I don't know if you have been following this forum for long but there is a wealth of information to be learned from the ones that post here. And yes there are some on hear that take fly fishing very seriously. I am not much of one but yet have learned allot from their conversations back and forth. If you have questions there seems to be someone on here willing and able to answer it for you. Sounds great that you can make fishing a family affair. I could never see my wife ever holding onto a pole and my youngest of two sons thinks it's boring. But my oldest son which is 12 loves to go wherever it might be to try and tear them up. Happy fishing and again welcome to the forum. Mark

Well could I ask about a Old Town Rockport? Know of one that looks in good shape for $250 with a few accessories. But it might be of the same caliber as the Pelican. Just like the thought of three seats.

Guys thanks for the advice. I figured there was some catch for them being so cheep. And siusaluki I have thought about an aluminum canoe and have even thought about getting one and painting the inside with liquid rubber to deaden the noise. I figured it would add a few pounds to it but I think the benefits would outweigh the cons.

I have a question for all those that know more about canoes then I do. My nephew was wanting to purchase a canoe from Academy Sports for they have them pretty cheep. It is a Pelican Dakota 15.5' Canoe and they are priced at $299. We have been looking for a used one but they are pretty much priced higher then this one new. It will be used on the lazy rivers and creeks and ponds located around my area but will like to do some fishing on some of the clearer streams located in central and southwest Missouri. My question is this a exceptable canoe for the price and will it do the job for novice canoers? Don't plan on doing many over nighters but do need it to accommodate two small adults and one skinny kid. all info appreciated. Mark

I remember when I was a kid (30 plus years ago) that a local river was just full of huge mussels. I mean like about the 10 or 12 inches wide, but no more. I have seen over the years a steady decline to were there aren't any there anymore. my theory is that chemicals in the water has decimated them on that stretch of river for there is more agriculture in my neck of the woods.

Welcome to the forum Ed. I will look forward to your stuff your going to post. sounds like you could have some knowledge we all could maybe glean from. Hay your post brings back some memories for I have spent many a day fishing off a pier in Pensacola Florida. Was always a blast fishing those waters. Always wanted to go back. Again welcome. Mark

Yes when I first started to read this post, I didn't know what a double haul was. so youtube was the first place I went. Now I know what it is and how to cast it. Looks to me like there is alot of info a person could learn from on there.

I have another option for you as well to think about. I have a 9ft. 5/6 wt. fly rod that I use with a micro thumb cast reel on it. I can cast it like a spin cast rod but fill the fight like using a fly rod. Even my 12 year old boy gets a kick out of using it. Plus it can give you a little practice in using a long rod. And congratulations on your first Goggle Eye, never caught one myself.

The last one I heard of around here shot had had the three S's done to it. Shoot, shovel, and shut up. But it must have had a tracking device in it for the MDC found it and dug it up. They are a pretty impressive cat to see, buy for many they are intimidating as well.

Yes it doesn't take long to go through a bag of Gulp minnows at over 5 bucks a bag. And yes went to Bass Pro this evening which is only a 100 miles away and picked up a 100. Hope it works better then a spook and if it will work as good or better then a Chugger Jr. then I will have to add more to my tackle box.

whats your guys take on the Sammy size 65? I didn't hear AL mention it so I will. Like to buy some , but don't know about this one.

Al your posts are great and bring back a lot of memories. I grew up using a Chugger Jr. and wish they were still made. Never have used a Sammie but after reading your post, I have to get some. once you see the strike of the top waters, it is hard not to use them. Took the boy yesterday and tried some top water. the boy caught about a 5 pound large mouth for his first top water catch and now he as well is hooked. Kept telling me over and over how neat it was to see those bass hit with a explosion. i even had to get the spook out to keep in practice.

a friend of mine that lives close to Stockton just the other day was complaining because he believes they are introducing vegetation to the lake. To him it was a bad thing, but I have no Idea. Maybe if you have got used to fishing it without vegetation you hate to start seeing it. He complained that it could start taking over.

I went last night with the boy to a farm pond. Was actually the first time this year that top water was really working. caught several with one about 5 lbs. Was the first top water bass the boy ever caught. Now he is hooked. And yes when fishing those top water plugs the larger lb line is very favorable. Especially when fishing around weed structure which I seen to do. Bummer on your loss.

Anchor!! Why it is a classic. It's one of those that you eventually hang on the wall as the center of a collection. Just think of all the stories you can talk about as how them big ones got away LOL.