TroutRinger

Planning a one-day, Saturday float trip (2 nights camping). Want to go somewhere new and Big Piney and 11 Point have been on my list for a while. Main Criteria: -Fishing: We would prefer Smallie's but trout is fine too. (Don't want to worry about any lure restrictions though) -Scenery and Water Quality: I love me some bluffs and clear, spring-fed streams. If you have a better suggestion, I'm open but it has to be within 3 hours of St. Louis and Springfield. I've already floated the Meramec, Big, Current, Jack's Fork, Niangua, and Huzzah. Thanks EDIT: Right now the plan is for mid to late June.

That's basically how I fish Bitsy Tubes which is what I use 80% of the time. Should be an easy transition.

By swing do you mean move the rod tip sideways?

Well I'll definitely give it a try. That's pretty much in line with my style of smallie fishing too...also just realized I bought marabou road runners, not ones for grubs. I'll have to pick some up.

Ok Ron, after reading your original post in this topic I went out and bought some Road Runners but how do you generally work them?

$2 pack of Yellow 1/8 White River Marabou Jigs $2 pack of Brown or Olive 1/8 White River Marabou Jigs 3 $4 packs of Strike King Bitsy Tubes (3 different colors) That's 18$ and I could live on that. Honestly, anything else and I'm just spending money to be spending it. Might use the lures but probably not with as much success. I am always surprised at how many people use Wee craws or similar crankbaits so often. I just don't like casting expensive, snag-prone lures close to cover or in/near fast current where the fish like to sit. And since you have to reel them in for the action, it's very difficult to get them close to the cover anyway. Obviously it works for some us though.

I've only been there in the summer so I can't say for sure but I doubt that would be a great option. If I were you, I'd go upstream by Prongs are farther. Should be some very nice fishing up there this time of the year and little pressure.

Title says it all. Too nice to be inside. Don't have any secret spots but would be happy to use yours lol. PM me if you're interested.

Trying to get a group of friends together for a float trip on Sunday. Was thinking either the James or Niangua Rivers since they're within an hour of Springfield. How are they looking right now? Is there anything else within an hour I'm missing? Thanks

GREAT FISH! ...and Pflueger President's are my favorite

Very good point here.

It's going to be interesting and exciting. Several writers at the Eastcoast Sports Network (I mean ESPN) think they belong in the Top 10. While they might, I don't see them actually jumping that far. If they beat Villanova, then it will happen.

It would be cheaper and more effective to buy a .22 than an air rifle. I got a Marlin 795 last Black Friday for $100. Then spend $50 on a .22 scope and rings. It shoots penny size 7-8 shot groups at 50 yards. You won't get that out of an air rifle without spending over $150...and it is semi-automatic. edit: Just an FYI. In many of the conservation areas around Springfield you can't use single projectile rifles (have to use shotguns) for squirrels. Have to drive about 30 minutes to the nearest public land where you can use a .22 or air rifle.

I'd be interested in seeing some ideas here. I have always used a dropper rig. Usually with a midge on the bottom or a second san juan if they are really hitting them. ...and now that I think of it, last time I believe I even used an egg as a float with a san juan as a trailer and slayed them on both.

I posted on another forum how I heard A LOT of rapid gunfire. Way too fast for any but the first shot to be aimed at all. Some people don't deserve to hunt.

After 10+ years of trying different reels, I now exclusively use Pflueger spinning reels. Most of mine are the President series, but I do use two Trion's for smallie fishing. In my opinion, Pflueger makes by far the best reels for the money. Those Trions have been soaked several times as one might expect would happen float and wade fishing. Haven't had an issue yet.

Haven't been there but based on just about everything I have ever heard it's hard to beat the scenery on the Buffalo. Might want to look into that for the family trip.

Well that narrows it down to about 100 places....not that's a good problem!

With the limited water clarity there I have always used Trilene XL or XT in 10-12 1bs. P-Line CX Premium is excellent stuff though and all my ultra-light outfits have that spooled.

Maybe I am just over-thinking this but it seems like spreading the clusters up so much and only putting 3 in one place won't have a significant effect on the trout population. Had they put a large amount of them in one place, it could have created some current breaks, deep water, etc. This method won't do that. Also, I feel anglers are now going to target these clusters meaning any fish around them aren't going to have as good of chance at growing big.

That's very cool.

I only have two comments: 1. This is one of the most interesting discussions we've had on this board in a while 2. Sprint, how the hell did they fish a Texas rigged Senko in 55ft of water!?!?!

lol...Well that's a first

Thanks for the report. Where did you get those huge dry bags from?

Almost every time I go there I see people breaking some rule, most commonly around the boat ramp. So far it hasn't been anything more serious then using an illegal lure and one instance of an illegal rainbow. They always seem to be clueless tourists so I politely let them know the rules. So far, they've been apologetic and immediately stopped the violations, but I always have the game thief number ready. More signs might work, although people don't pay attention to signs, and it would be an eye sore as well. More enforcement might be more effective. I've never seen a DNR or CA officer near the water.