basska

I believe it. I've read that big White River Trout are just refined Cats lol. It will be a blast. I'm taking a couple non-experienced friends, so we will probably employ a variety of tactics. After 2 nights there, we drive an hour for 2 nights in Ponca and a float on the Buffalo! It should be unforgettable.

No. An AirBNB I found. It's right next to Copper John's resort in Lakeview.

I saw a photo of him fishing at Cranor's. Will have to watch the video! Thanks.

Can't be mad about that! It should be fun. I hope the time of year is on our side. It's an 8-hour trip. I reckon if we do really well on numbers for any couple hours, I would request to change presentations, however that might look, to target a trophy. I'm also staying 2 nights on the banks of the river in a cabin. I could just chuck out some shrimp at night, darn near like a Cat fisherman, and see if a Brown won't come get it.

Well, we live in an era of sport fishing, especially amongst people in my generation (which will hopefully be benefit our fisheries, even with the takeover of FFS). However, others simply don't like the effort, or fish that don't have white meat. Personally, the only fish I target with plans of making a meal are Crappie, although I want to try White Bass and Walleye. Carp is just not something I would go through the effort for, especially as it's bottom feeding, boney, yellow meat fish.

As I have been thinking about my trip to the White River this April, I have naturally let my curiosity takeover and have restlessly researched the history of Arkansas and Trout. One thing that really has piqued my curiosity are the small populations of Cutthroat and Brook Trout in the state, and the surprising potential for trophy fish to be produced. This being said, I have found nothing on the genetics of the good ole' Arkansas Cutthroat. It's one thing I am sure there is a record of that I just haven't found yet. Trout Junkies out west go crazy for the different subspecies of Cutthroat, and I find it quite fascinating myself. There had to be a body of water or region that AGFC got their fish from, or maybe multiple? For some reason I thought I read that they were Bonneville's at one point. If I was truly into it, I should be able to figure out something by the phenotype of the fish I see in pictures, but I am not that advanced. They generally seem to be a bit tanner looking then other cutthroats I see, with more spots widespread than the average of its species. This seems to resemble most closely a Yellowstone variety. Does anyone know, or have any archived information on this topic?

-4 right now. This should be the yearly low.

Lol. Well, I am hoping for the best. 8-hour trip in late April. I know they are famous for long-arming, but if I could catch multiple fish over 20 inches, I will be thrilled. 2-foot Brown Trout is what I am really praying for.

Not sure. I was not even aware there are multiple guides to be honest.

I've done some additional research, and it really does appear to be quite the haven for bank fisherman when water levels are right. Seriously seems to be a surprisingly equal number of Smallies, Largemouth, Spots, Whites, and Walleye reported. I'm starting to get confident that on the right day in Spring a simple jig and minnow would tire your arms out in no time, but I will have to see. I am excited. Seems like a blast of a river. Will also have to go downstream to Hwy 9.

Cool video. Looks like a great spot to fish. However, can't encourage private fishing.

Eh, the second one was bogus for sure. The first one shouldn't have been a surprise to anybody though, at least in today's era. The NFL has seemed to make it pretty clear that if the QB does not have the ball in his hands, you cannot go helmet to helmet. Not saying I totally agree with all the QB protection, but I feel we have been seeing these calls consistently the past 5 years or so.

Awesome. I will have to watch after work. I booked a guide trip with Cranor's for April. Looking forward to it and hoping to land a trophy Brown!

Yesterday I saw the sun shining, and thought I might try some dock fishing for Crappie. Needless to say, the sun was just a mirage. No fishing! Hoping for a warm February.

Can I take a guess?? I have never fished any of these rivers, but based on what I see Ozark Smallmouth FB Group, I'd go: 1. Gasconade 2. Meramec 3. Big In all seriousness, this spring/summer I have decided I'll spend a weekend exploring and wading creeks in SW MO. Hopefully the Sugar, Shoal and Indian Creeks. All of these are in the alleged peak range of the Neosho strain, and I'll make sure to take note of the appearance of any fish I catch.

Not far at all from the place I stay at Truman. I got a chance to look at the bridge on Hwy N, and it looks like a real nice spot, with some good bank available. I will be testing my luck here next time I go down to Truman... Knowing the Crappie bite at the Marina, I could be looking at quite the Lenten fish fry.

Thanks for all the information, It looks like a trip down to Rich Hill will be in order near the beginning of March.

No problem. I wonder how many members on this forum regularly fish at JAR. It's a great resource for KC guys.

https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/james-reed-memorial-wildlife-area if a “Hybrid Striped Bass” isn’t a more official name for Wiper, educate me.

Alright, this is my last post tonight. I think after this I finally got my daily medicine for the fishing fever (Which seems to be going around - I noticed today has been extremely active for this site.) My question is - Does anybody have any opinions on lakes at James A Reed that seem to favor certain species more than others. I especially am interested in Wipers, but also Crappie, Big Cats and Big Bass. To be honest, once it warms up, I'll probably find myself continuing in many of my habits from last summer - Suburban pond hopping, asking permission for bank fishing on private ponds. However, this Fall and Winter I found myself truly falling in love with JAR, and am curious about learning more about the species density and how and where to target some of these fish. I assume it is mostly self-explanatory, however I can't imagine there aren't some intricacies worth knowing. This year I want to target the Wipers that allegedly swim the JAR lakes. It is funny because I haven't heard too much about them being caught, but there is obviously evidence. I noticed that the MDC seemed to speak more in detail about them in archived prospect reports, making me think maybe the stocking numbers are down. I've never seen any caught, and I wonder if anyone who has has any advice at all for them. When it comes to Crappie, Bass and Catfish.... I'll keep it simple - Do you have a favorite lake for each species? IF there is any fun monster fish stories, I'd love to read those too. I'll start - when it comes to Trout... Coot is a superior lake to Plover 😉

Fishmonger - I was about to post a near identical thread. Very cool. Like yourself, this spring (appears to be it will be May), I am planning on exploring some scenic wadeable Smallmouth streams within a 3 hour radius of where I live in KC. I believe this leaves me with two river basins to explore: The Niangua and The Elk. If I could find a way to get my hands on a reasonably priced copy of 200 Missouri Smallmouth Streams, I think that would benefit us both greatly. My question to you - What neck of the woods are you in and how long have you been fishing/how old are y'all? If you ever want to explore some tribs once it warms up, I'd be game. My question to the more veteran members of the group - While I know the smaller wading creeks that hold excellent fisheries are too delicate to be named explicitly, do you all have any recommendations/preferences towards exploring the tribs of the Niangua and Elk?

- 5 lb Largemouth - Be able to catch a Walleye while targeting them. - Have a 20+ fish Smallmouth day on one of my Ozark stream trips planned. - Get a kayak. - Catch some big flatheads. - Fulfill my guide trip plans on the Gasconade and White River… probably will also look into a Walleye guide..

I think most of us Missourians are less than thrilled with the weather lately, and probably January as a whole. Since the big storm, my fishing fever has become severe. Very severe. So instead of lurking here, pretending to be working diligently, perhaps I’ll start a couple convos on bases I can’t wait to cover when Spring rolls around. The topic is: Within around 2 hours of the KC Metro, what are some of your favorite rivers to target for White Bass and Walleye in the spring time? I won’t ask for specific spots - I’m 20 years old and entering my first FULL year of fishing obsession, and I have a LOT of goals that need fulfilling, one being figuring out this method of fishing - If I could do that with at least some my own intuition, I would be thrilled. With that being said, I don’t have a boat, but am looking at kayaks right now. If any of you know an area or a river with some bank availability, this would be greatly appreciated. Once spring comes around, I will end up heading down Highway Z near Warsaw to a place a buddy of mine has. Almost every other weekend. He doesn’t fish, but boy do we love that retreat, and boy do I love the fishing. With this being said, I know I will have fair proximity to the Maries Des Cygnes, Sac and Pomme De Terre. if anyone has any opinion or advice on targeting these species in Missouri rivers, let me know! Thanks

Let me know how it went if you did end up going down there. Me and a couple buddies are planning on going down to Tulsa for Billy Strings early December. While we are there, I'm campaigning pretty hard for a Cookson Hills float trip, of course, targeting Smallmouth. I have heard a lot of good things about those rivers. However, it wouldn't be too far out of my way to just go to the Elk or Kings River on my way back as well.

Not too far from me at all. I have some Rockhurst roots... My grandfather was the head basketball coach there for 20+ years. As for Catfishing, my go-to spot is Indian Creek. Now, granted, I am not targeting the massive blues and flatheads on the Missouri, but there are some really solid 3-10 lb Channels in the creek. There are multiple access points in both Missouri and Kansas. I really like to use my ultralight and sink a 6/0 Circle Hook with a chunk of hotdog in the deeper pools. I have done really well and fighting those decent channel cats with the setup is fantastic. A few weeks ago, I caught a 27 inch Flathead out of the creek that fought me for about 5 minutes. Really a blast. For Crappie, I have been shamelessly dock shooting the Jackson Co. Lakes various marinas, primarily Longview due to its vicinity to me. Sometimes trying out jigs, but primarily dropping minnows. Last week or two as it is slowly cooling, the bite has been ON, however, I can't say I've seen many fish over 11 inches come out of the Marina. It's good fun when you get the chance. I'm looking to find some places I can reliably bass fish from the bank. I have tried James A Reed and enjoyed it ok. Still saving up for that boat!