BassMaster#1

Thanks Al, compiling a list would be a great idea. Most people may already know this site, but here it is for those of you who don't. http://www.missouricanoe.org/directory.html. I can say these outfitters are petty flexible with putting anglers in early with advance notice. Maybe someone can start a separate thread and add to it with their experiences of differnt outfiters. Meramec river area Adventure outdoors or (Fagens) Huzzah valley resort Gasconade/Piney Route 66 canoe rental

Man, it’s really tuff relying on a outfitter to shuttle you. Looks like Gnade Hills can only put me in at Barlow Ford to the campground, which is 6miles. I really wanted to do the Hazelgreen access, but the Hills only offers a 4 mile float to this place. I called Washington state park and the guy I spoke with said that he would only do the first 4 miles in the park as the other 3 miles is to shallow and isn't worth fishing. He also said there was no flow and wouldn't advise putting in people who wanted to tube. Not to mention they wouldn't be able to get me on the water till 8:30a.m. and the canoe had to be back by 4:00. Guess I'm thinking either the upper meramec with my 10' pond prowler or a rental from Boiling Springs resort. I can do 5 miles on the Big Piney and 2 miles on the Gasconade. Does anyone have any info on this particular stretch of water? My buddy and I floated the Gasconade last year in our kayaks from route 66 to Jerome, but we didn't catch a single fish on the two miles we were on lower Big Piney. Trying to get this figured out before Sunday rolls around. thanks

It looks like the Hills put you in at Black ford, which is a 10 mile float or Barlow ford, which is a 6 mile float. For time sake, is this stretch of 10 mile float faster or comparable to a 10 mile stretch on the upper Mearmec river? Does the water in this stretch move pretty fast and is there less dead water or deep pools? Would there be a different outfitter to go with on a better stretch of water in the same general area or is this pretty much it? Thanks for the help, just trying to pick the best water that not over 2hrs from my house.

Man, tuff decesion does any one else have any input? I know both of these stretch's are great, but I I'm having a hard time deciding.

My Cousin is in town and he wants to do some small mouth fishing. I was originally going to do the upper meramec, but decided I wanted to do a stretch I've never done before and the wife ok it, so a longer float won't be a problem. So, the choice is the Gasconade with Gasconade hills or the Big River with Washington state park. If i do the Gasconade, it would be either Black or Barlow to the hills. We will be renting a canoe on this trip, so I'm looking for the best water where I can get out and fish the rapids and not just float by them. In your opinion, which stretch will offer up the best opportunity to catch some nice small mouth? Thanks

Like Moguy said, the fishing was tough on the Current. I only caught 3 on a tube and 1 on a spinnerbait, then had to resort to minnows because the fishing was so tough. I can usually hold my own with these two baits any river I go to, but not so much on the current. I was certain I would catch a bunch on a least a minnow, but only ended up with 7. We saw more drum than we did smallmouth, and couldn't produce a top water bite on either the Jacks or Current. I would like to say to the top water bite wasn’t producing because it was to clear water, but I caught some pretty good fish on top water at table rock and most streams don't get a clear as table rock. All in all it was a good float, but don't think I would drive 3hrs to fish the current again when there is just as good fishing close to home. The Jacks was a great river to fish that reminded me of huzzah in a way. If I would d like to try the Current again, but would try the upper current next time. I'm hitting the Meramec this weekend, to get a last chance at trying to catch that 4lb + smallmouth I’ve been chasing so long before hunting season kicks in.

Mark, I would recommend the section Al said from Hwy 8 to Scotts Ford, which is a 9 mile float. The first mile or so isn't any good till you hit the spring so you can paddle past this part till you hit the spring. This section and the huzzah is my favorite place for catching nice size smallmouth. I really like this section because you never know what you’re going to catch from trout, smallmouth, largemouth and rock bass. I floated it about 6weeks ago and caught a few 15" to 17" trout along with some smaller smallmouth and largemouth, but there are some bigger ones in this stretch. Call Mark at adventure outdoors 573-775-5744, he has 8-10ft pond prowlers he rents for the same price as a canoe. . Takes longer to get down stream, but give you a chance to stand up and stretch. For an extra $2 dollars he will put you in at Meramec Springs shaving off an extra Mile to make the float 8-7 miles. You could also check camping rates at Meramec State Park, I'm not sure but I think you can get a cabin from them for like 50-70 dollars.

Seems they stop making them. I know the bass pro cranking stick is telescopic but was looking for a glass rod. May just have to get that. Thanks

I had a 7'9" kistler micro magnesium ts crankbait rod that broke on my last outing. I sent it back to tackle warehouse for a replacement, but just received an email they don't carry the rod anymore. My $120 was refunded but now I'm in the market for a new rod. Wish I could just find this rod again for the same price I played for it. Maybe someone can help me find another perfect crankbait rod. Needs to be under $150 somewhere in the 7'6" to 7'10", telescopic and handle 6xd and dd22. Would also prefer split grip and micro. Thanks for the help

Got a buddy going to Mermet springs this weekend so his son can get scuba certified. My buddy was looking for something to do too waste time while his son get certified, so he came accross mermet springs lake. Anyone fished this lake before? thanks

Still for sale and still in great shape. $50 dollars shipped

I just bought it from cabelas last July for $120. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the reel. I took it with me on 8 fishing trips but didn't spend much time deep cranking. The reason I'm getting rid of it is because I got a lews reel for Christmas that I'm going to use for deep cranking. You can look and the cabelas website and verify how much I paid for it.

I'm located in the st.louis area. What area are you in? If you are close by I can can meet you or I can ship the reel to you. Shipping should be around 6 - 8 dollars.

I have an Okuma Citrix reel for sale. It is a 5.4 gear ratio in right hand i bought last year for deep cranking, but really didn't use it that much. The reel is in great shape. The silver side plate does have weathered look from where my palm was sitting. Like I said I didn't really use it that much, but think the oils on my hands are what make the plate have a discolored look. It retails for $120 and I'm asking $50. PM me if interested. Thanks

I’m heading down to Bull Shoals for the weekend tomorrow to do some fishing. We will be putting in around the Oakland Marina area. Can any one suggest some good places to fish around this area? I would like to get into some nice smallmouth and largemouth and hopefully 1 or 2 walleyes. Should I be focusing on the shallow bite rather than the deep bite? Would trying the mouths of creeks and maybe back half way be good for the largemouth? I guess trying the points and secondary points in creeks would be good for the smallmouth? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Well i do wet my knots and checked the guides and nothing wrong there, so i guess your on to something Al. I am tring to really launch the bait when i cast. i guess im thinking if i can really get into it i can get it out further. i guess i can use heavier line. what did your buddy do to correct the problem?

ok I metioned i got my lures back but it looks like the line broke about 1.5' to 2" above where my knot was tied. Would this indicated new line or new knot. Funny thing was I went out again today to play arond with the rod again but was able to cast the same rod with same line without any breaks. Then I put the 3/4 oz lure on another rod to check out how this rod would throw the lures. I did noticed that the line is 10lb test but has the diameter of 8lb mono. The rod is a cheaper berkley rod rated to 3/4 oz but feels pretty noodlie. On the second cast with this rod the line snapped. I got my lure back and found out that this line snapped about 2" inches above my knot. Now this line is spooled with Suffix braid and 10lb yo-zuri leader. I have no doubt that a lighter lure would have cast fine but I wanted to see if I could cast the dd22.

went back to the lake today to see if I could find my crank baits and sure enougth I did. was supprised about this one. rod guides are fine but I'm going to try it again with a 3/4oz washer and see what gives. If i can cast fine with out the line snapping I will caulk it up to bad knot, but if line breaks again I'm throwing on the 12lb stuff to test.

The line was just put on. The funny thing is I was using the same rod in medium heavy with 12lb of same line las week with no trouble. Idecided to exchange the rto for medium power and spool 10lb line. Then I go out today and this happens. That's way I'm confused if its the line or lighter rod. I was fishing from shore today to try the rod out and the dd22 doesn't float. I guess I'll try 12lb line but there a lot of pros using 10lb line. I love the sensitivity of braid but not sure it can get down to 16ft with a 6 xd. I also like yo-zuri but haven't used it for my cranking rod yet, wil yo-zuri get down this deep.

I have a bass pro cranking stick 7 6" in medium with 10lb red label segur line. I went out to the lake to test the rod out and lost two lures on two cast. the first cast was with a norman dd22 in 3/4oz and the second crankbait in 3/4oz. two cast and the line broke on both cast. Could this be the line or the rod being to weak to cast these lures? the rod is rated to 5/8 oz i belive. What is your folks opinion on this? I would love to get to the bottom of this, i cant afford to lose more lures.

Sounds like a great time. I've been wanting to try the bourbeuse out. Where did you put in and where did you take out?

Decided to float the upper meramec yesterday to compare it to the huzzah. I've always did good by meramec springs, but wanted so see how this sectiong fished. I floated the 6mile streatch above birds nest, put in at 8:30 and was of the water by 3. I ended up putting 21 in the kayak...... 4spots, 1 goggleye and 16 smallmouth. Nothing of any size, but didn't see any big ones either. I was supprised at how shallow this streach of the meramec was exspecilly the last 2 miles. The max depth on the last two miles was like 2 to 3 feet. That's why i was able to do this float so quick. I would just paddle past the small streches with low warter and very little fish besides gar and drum. All in all it was a good day, but I would have to say that the Huzzah is a much better stream for catching smallmouth. You catch more and you catch bigger fish. I've been out twice this year on the huzzah and landed 30 on the first float and 20 the next, in the kayak. One that weighed in at 3lbs last year and 2lbs this year. Now this may change after this weeked and all the floaters, but just my personal experince.

Have you been floating downstream from the robertsville area or going up stream? I"m five minutes from the there, but didn't do to hot last year on that stretch with all the high water. I Usually just go to the upper meramec.

I use the alberto (modified albright knot) knot and have no problems at all. It's easy and quick once you get the hang of it. Knot wars rates it better than then the uni to uni knot. http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

I'm with everyone else, SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. My cousion signed up for a lifetime membership and never got a single hook in the mail. With a lot of complaining he was able to get a refund.