TroutRinger

Richs told me yesterday it would be $50 to Slabtown but didn't think we could get a 4 kayaks in one truck so they wanted us to drop our stuff off, drive all the way there, and then have them drive us all the way back which kind of defeats the purpose. Wilderness wanted $60 PER PERSON. The guy was a jerk on the phone too. I'm still looking for a good two day float with good fishing and a decent shuttle. Any suggestions?

Two friends and I are looking to take our kayaks for an overnighter the weekend after labor day. I was thinking Buck Hollow to Rymers would be a good float since we like to take our time and fish hard, plus it is the only section I know of that we can shuttle ourselves without driving 40 minutes one direction. My question is do you think we'd have any trouble leaving our vehicles at either access overnight?

I guess that's one way to do it lol

I really don't think Diesels are the future for non-HD pickups. I think most Americans associate diesels with higher initial and long term costs. Plus it's different than what we know (gas) and we don't like what we don't know. The near term advancements in MPG are going to come from weight reduction, improved aerodynamics and trannies, and (sadly) smaller turbo engines IMHO.

Amery is correct. The tubes are 2 3/4" with a 1/8 maribou jig inserted up the middle.

I was using a 1/8th maribou jig for the hook

I threw a mustard colored Strike-King Bitsy Tube the whole day and was getting bites in every hole. Caught a lot of small smallmouth and decent sized rock bass. Nothing of significant size while on the river. I had a very unusual amount of fish come off the hook. I have never really had a problem with that before this weekend. Now for the interesting part. I was fishing in a whole about 20 feet from our campsite on Friday night and hooked a monster smallmouth on my 3rd cast...under 20" but not by a lot. About two minutes into the fight it jumped and threw the hook. CRAP! So I slowly moved on with my life and decided I would revisit the whole the next day. Sure enough on my 2nd cast Saturday night in the exact same spot, I got a light bite. Didn't think it was that big at first and the he took off. This time I had him on the line for at least 3 or 4 minutes and the dang thing went right back to the same spot where he jumped the night before. He jumped again and threw the hook. Swear to god it was like watching instant replay. Couldn't believe it. I did get some relief though. Two casts later, I landed the very nice fish in the pic below. On a side note, any ideas on why I was losing so many fish? Except for that big one, it was usually 20-30 seconds into the fight even for small ones. I was using the same tackle I always use for smallie fishing. When fishing the bottom in current, sometimes the fish is just...kind of on the hook when you go to work it a bit so maybe I wasn't getting good hook sets?

I was at the lake around the 65 bridge and a bit downstream. Only caught two bluegill on a rooster tail but was only there for about one hour.

Most of the time, I would be the only one fishing. My girlfriend just likes being on the water. I have considered just trying it a few times because I think you're right that I could resell it for at least what I paid so not much to lose.

My uncle's neighbor is selling a 14' canoe for $225. I'm not sure what kind it is, but my uncle said it is in very good condition. I have only ever used 16-17' canoes on day floats from outfitters. This one would be mostly for use on Springfield Lake and one or two float trips a year on the Jacks Fork or similar rivers. I'm hoping it would be big enough to comfortably hold two people, full size cooler, dry bucket, tackle box, and a couple fishing rods for a day float trip, but small enough for me to solo paddle at Lake Springfield or small coves at LOZ (have a kayak but like to stand up when I fish). Finally, will a 14 footer be transportable in a short bed truck diagonally with the tailgate down?

I have the Ascend D10T. MeatintheFreezer pretty much summed it up though I don't mind the seating too much. The big plus with this kayak is that the whole top is flat making for easy customization. The back is large enough to store a full sized cooler if one was so inclined. The side compartments are great as is the dry container. It's hard to be for the money and does great on rivers and lakes.

I will take it if none of the above work. I live in Springfield.

I'd be interested for sure.

I have that same issue with the Current. I'm used to fishing rivers like the JF that have fish in holes where it looks like fish should be. The Current in places is like one giant hole. Makes it a bit harder to find them.

The Current River from Round Spring to Two Rivers is beautiful. It's the most scenic river I've been on besides the Buffalo.

WOW.

If smallmouth fishing is the top factor, I would say #2. Plus it would be the easiest and cheapest logistically. Just in case you didn't already know, the land around the river near Eminence is private so you'll either have to pay for a camp site or stop above/below town. #3 is probably a good choice, but I haven't floated that section of the current. I personally have never been too fond of the smallie fishing on the current. With the exception of fishing right around Round Spring campground, I haven't had nearly the success there as on the JF...could just be me.

I'll be in Branson for a wedding this weekend and am going to give it a go at some point on Sunday. Since my parents retired and got a place a LOZ last summer I haven't been down. Hopefully I can hook a few. Getting an itch.

GloryDaze pretty much covered it. I would recommend freezing the gallon jugs. They'll keep your food cool and give you cool drinking water. As far as outfitters, Two Rivers Canoe is my preferred outfitter, but Windy's has been fine the couple times I've used them. I also think 8 miles is the MAX. I'd rather do 6 miles/day so I could take my time to enjoy it and not have to rush. Fishing is better on the Jack's Fork from Alley to Two Rivers than the Current just about anywhere IMHO but the Current has better scenery. You'll also run into jet boats on the Current. Rarely happens on the JF.

Wow. I am anxious to learn the facts of what happened. I never drink on floats because there is always plenty of idiots to go around, but this is a whole new level.

Can't say it any better

Wow. That's awesome. ...I hate everyone in that report

I didn't have a tape measure at the time, but my personal best was caught in the first whole below Allie Springs on the Jack's Fork about 4 years ago. It covered the entire paddle blade and then some. Had to be close to 20". I've caught and measured several 17-18 inchers before and since then but none have been in the same class as that fish.

1. Mustard Bitsy Tube 2. Brown/chartreuse bitsy tube 3. Brown bitsy tube Really that's it. Mix some other things in occasionally.

Where did you put in and take out?