Thomas Rogers

Fishing tournament Sunday from St Elizabeth my partner had to back out if anyone is interested let me know I got an empty seat

I was out this week dodging rain drops for two days put in Udall fishing was out of control on top water early 32 bass between two of us wiggle warts, 6 xd and plastics on the bottom once the sun came up most fish were still 10/20 ft of water then went down to darn for late evening couple hybrids on top water as well as few bass next morning from 5 am till about 8 am was hot bite slowed way down after that put in at red bank managed 11 hybrids 3 white bass 7 bass all on top water only one dink on the bass off the water by 9:30

Thanks for the reply Seth I currently run my flat bottom jet that is 1648 and it's fine as long as chop is not to bad just hopping the wider and longer will help

Looking into 1752 sport blazer I know modified v would be better for the waters of northfork, bull shoals and table rock but I also enjoy river fishing spend alot of time on big river , mermac and current and with the 40 horse limit on the current not sure I can get the modified v with out going with bigger motor my question any body run the 1752 on these lakes with out getting there teeth rattled out in a little choppy water ?

Thanks for the reply I guess the richwoods through me off when I looked at the gauges looks as if the rain had virtually no effect on the levels should be a good day

Any one been on or near the big river today ? Got a chance to get out in the morning for a float thinking from the park down just curious before my buddy drives down from Alton

Jim I put in yesterday in St Clair ( 30 Bridge) which is a little more down river from were you are talking about went down about 5 miles and then up about 2 miles from the bridge I had no trouble at all navigating the water ,Water temp was 49/50 yesterday when I put in very very clear fishing was good steady all morning from 7 till noon 17 fish to the boat biggest was 15' spot 11 spots 1 white and 5 small mouth all small mouths were in the rocks biggest though was 14' the spots were in the deep rocks or under cover most action was on slow retrieving crank baits 300 series or wiggle warts did have a few on 4" chomper and several on ned rig just when I got bored but most success on crank baits

After seeing some promising reports from the lower Mermec thought I would try another new area Sunday as I continue to learn my way around the lower Meramec decided on Palisades down to the Big River After waiting once again for the nephew did not wait long this time still hit the river @7;30 water temp around 51 degrees action just off the boat ramp throwing a zara spook missed the first blow up before hooking a spot that ran the tape an very nice 18" few more blowups but not hook ups before a huge blow up that i would loose just before the boat that looked to be 18' range stuck with combination of sexy dog and zara spook but just could not get them to hook up decided to switch to a crank and the fun was on between black pearl bomber earlier then switching to blue gill colored wiggle wart was able to land 11 spots from all 13-17 and 1 brownie unfortunately maybe 10 inches not sure how it was going to get that wiggle wart in his mouth but he did wack it pretty good. defiantly a good day the river was navigable and alot clearer then I thought it would ever be. Update decided after a great Sunday morning to go back to Palisades Monday morning had till 10 to burn before having to head to the shop I felt like the top water bite Sunday was there and I missed it. I was actually able to get the nephew out of bed was all excited after my day Sunday to turn him on to some fish unfortunately I learned a hard Mermec lesson just cause they were there yesterday don't mean they still are put in @ 7:30 water temp just a little lower then Sunday but the action was just not there not a single blow up on top water quickly switched to crank baits , jerk baits even some plastics managed one spot caught off slow water just after a riffle on a wiggle wart other then that just a wind burn water was a little choppy as the morning went on but defiantly got some learning to do

Sorry guys for the late response business has been keeping me swamped. Appreciate the responses I did get out Tuesday morning after doing a little more research online reports were saying that Flam city was real low I figured give it a shot if low George winter was a good back up even with reports warning of low conditions there as well. Well after a 45 minute wait for the nephew to get out of bed only to have to drive off with out him (I will never wait more then 5 again) my plans were to be on river by 7 with the wait it was now almost 7:45 decided to just head to George winter to put in the ramp was in good shape no issue didn't event get my toes wet. Spent quite alot of time just getting to know the river as this was the first time in the area aside from the leaves clogging up the grate every now and then . The lower is no current river scenery but despite the more populated area still a beautiful river color was more clear then i expected as i said did not fish hard went up to 141 bridge and back pulled out @ 9;30 was able to land 2 buffalo which was a first for me both on crayfish colored wiggle wart couple missed opportunities with two spots but for light fishing more exploring trip sure beats being in the shop. Thanks for the input guys

Smalliebigs Thanks for the info !! much appreciated I am going to check it out in the am and indeed I will report back hopefully with some nice snap shots.

New to the area looking for boat ramp around Arnold area would like to put my jet in but can settle for a nice 4-5 hour float if any one has any recommendations. Is the lower even navigable with a jet this time of year ? What species should be targeted ?

Thanks for the info guys I got ahold of jeffs last season but they would not shuttle I love the upper black just always tuff if you dont have someone going with you or cant take two vehicles I prefer the scanoe but was thinking at least the jet I can solo it and not depend on shuttle . Been a few years since I have been below hwy k do remeber some good small mouth even large mouth

Any one have any info on transporttation on the black below hwy k Also if I decided to leave the canoe behind is it jet friendly thinking about running up from clearwater

I am looking for an outfiter that will shuttle vehicle from lestervile to hwy k any one know of any

What section of river do you guys recommend not real familiar with the river other then a trip from scotts ford to birdnest last summer but looking at trying out the meramec again leaving in the morning just haven't decided were solo trip staying over night so not a big fan of having to drag the boat to much on my own any suggestions ?