405z06

I have fished the Fabick lakes a few times, not in a few years though. Both of them have largemouth, The largest one also has crappie, not sure if they are in the smaller lake. When I fished them I got some shiners from Denny Dennis and my Frabil aerated bucket and got plenty of action and many fish. Nothing over 13" or so. It might be fun if you take your ultra-light. The smaller lake had a lot of turtles and it was impossible to keep the bait away from the turtles, but I did catch some bass. From what I have read, it's not good for a lake that small to have crappie AND bass. Too many predators, I guess. Perhaps that is why the bass were all stunted. It is a place I would only go if I had a major jones for some fishing. Once I figured out that you could catch smallmouth less than an hour away from here, I never went back. I know I also went to Unger a few years ago one time. I din't catch anything, didn't see anything, and haven't been back.

Wow, what a fish! Congrats!

Yeah, if you hit that early, you will be fine. Might see some jets, but you will be well ahead of the canoes/tubes. I haven't done with a darn anywhere on the Meramec this year, look forward to your report. It's very pretty, lots of big bluffs. I, too, self-shuttle with a buddy and 2 vehicles, and one stretch that we did a lot last year was Scott's Ford to Riverview. It's longer than 5 miles, but nice section of river, good fishing (last year at least) and can avoid the crowds for the most part if you put in fairly early, even on summer weekends.

I stayed at Rich's this past Saturday night after floating 6x back to their place. They didn't have anything...no ice, the cooler that in the past had soda and gatorade was empty and turned off. The grounds weren't cut in some areas right near the office and behind my cabin. I kinda chalked it up to it still being a couple of weeks away from their prime season, but I definately noticed what you mentioned.

I solo float quite a bit and have never even heard that before.

Thanks, I relly enjoed that. Looking forward to the rest!

I THOUGHT YOU MOSTLY FISH FORE WHITEBAS?

My guess is that if they are locked in, it won't matter. The high tomorrow is still going to be near 70 I think, so it's not like the highs in the 30s or 40s. Again, I am just just guessing, but the crazy high water and fluctuations that we have had in the past few years would do more harm to the spawn than a mild cold front. Looking forward to seeing other opinions.

excellent!

We used to stay at Robin's Resort in the heart of Osage Beach. They have some old-shcool cabins, and some newer condos. Right an the mouth of the Glaize off the main channel, visible from the Grand Glaize Bride. Close to outlet malls for the gals, has a pool for the kids, crappie wells at the ends of docks for evening fishing. Also, the main point and cove back to the docks are good fishing and easily acccessible from the bank. http://www.robinsresort.net/

Was talking to my fishing buddy Tuesday morning, and as luck would have it, both of our afternoons were looking open to sneak away for a short, close-to-home float on the Big River. It's a section that I had never been on, but my buddy swore that there were big smallies. It was probably only about a 2-mile float and we caught about 12 fish total: about 3 largemouth, this one smallmouth caught right before takeout, and the rest spots. My estimation is that was about between 18 and 19".

Your just a selfish jet owner who doesn't care that boats like yours are hurting the smallmouth in our rivers. Now, let's all sit back and wonder why it's so darn hard to catch an 18-inch smallmouth on the Meramec. Yeah, that sums up my posts/thoughts perfectly. I saw 3 boats and want to ban them because I deserve to be alone on the river. This was my first float trip ever. If I ever do another float and I ever see another person, whether it be in a canoe, kayak, or raft, I reserve the right to want those banned, too. Or maybe you could take your jet to Lake of the Ozarks, Truman, or Twain.

I've never had a problem with jet owners being rude. They usually see me and slow down, ask me if I am catching anything. It has nothing to do with the owners of the boats. They are usually good people. It's what problems the actual boats create. I have an idea, let's have a boat which will allow a high degree of efeciency in regards to gigging, so much so that a tiny, tiny fraction of poachers could possibly decimate an entire "trophy" population of smallmouth. Then, when the surviving adult smallmouth are guided by instinct to spawn, these same boats create turbulence and turbidity that possibly alter the beds and the spawn? So many people worked so hard to protect this river 35 years ago for this? Like I said, might as well put the plans for a dam back on the table if the river is going to be full of jets with 200HP motors.

I floated out of Ozark Outdoors today, 9 mle float from "the bluffs". The 1st 1/4 mile area right there where they put you in is usually a good indicator of what your day will be like, fishing-wise. Didn't get anything. Then it started to really pick up, several smallies + several lookers. I was getting encouraged. It was beautifull. Perfect. Then I get to the area that has the sign for "Garrison's Scenic take-out" and there is a jet boat being launched by a truck on that gravel bar up ahead. Never seen that before. No biggie, jets are part of the deal on the river. But just as the river turns there past Garrison's take out, now in addtion to that boat there are 3 more jets all getting ready to take off right as I am coming through. The biggest fish I ever caught on this river was right were these boats are. What the hell? That's not even a public boat ramp, is it? I asked if there was a tournament? No, just fishing they said. It literally ruined the rest of the day. There was so much jet traffic that the water from there on down to Onondaga was muddy as hell and the smallie bight died. Really pissed me off. After that I caught a couple of largemouth and a bucnh of spots, for whatever reason. I usually don't catch a lot of spots up there. I don't think I caught another smallie after the 4 boats took off. I'd only be half joking if I said I would support a ban on all gas engines on the Meramec. The way the traffic was today and what it did for the water clarity disgusted me. That's not the way it should be, IMO. Might as well put the plans back in place for the dam if that's what this river is gonna look like from the jets. I'll get over it I'll hit the Big Piney next time. /end rant

beautiful markings on that fish after spending some time in the clear water of a livewell/tank. didn't see in the article what the previous record was. Biggest I've caught is 8 lbs, and that was in Florida, which is no big deal.

It's the summer weekends to be concerned about. Weekdays are no big deal. On weekends we usually start real early and get off the water before 11, depending on how good the fishing is, the boat traffic, and weather. There will always be no-wake coves and places to fish - finding peaceful places to fish isn't the problem - it's the trek back on the main channel that is the concern. If you must be out on the main channel after 11 on a summer weekend: 1) don't be in a hurry, 2) empty your bladder before leaving, 3) tie the rods and reels down, 4) and get ready for super rough water. You'll know by 10 or 11 if the bite is worth fighting through traffic. Weekdays you will be fine anytime, and weekends before noon. I guess it also depends on your boat. I'm talking about a modern 20+ ft fiberglass boat.

I was down there myself 3/21 just to kill a little time and must have snagged this guy with a spinnerbait

I've never been to Canada (to fish) but in 2009 I spend 3 days in April fishing the Susquehanna at Harrisburg, Pa. I am not exagerating when I say that that I caught more smallmouth over 15" in those 3 days that I have on Missouri rivers/streams in the last 5 years combined, in just a tiny micro-fraction of time, comparably speaking. The biggest fish of the whole trip (and biggest smallie of my life) was the first fish caught on the first morning. My dad was using my digital camera for the first time and didn't quite know what he was doing and the pictures didnt come out, but here are a couple of pics from other fish on that trip.

pisses me off seeing those pics

I assume this is members only?

Im looking for any helpful tips to help my smallmouth catch during the winter/cold months on the upper Meramec. This is my first year venturing out during the winter. My buddy and I fish out of a jon boat with a trolling motor. Because of the shorter days we usually do 5 mile floats (either Onodoga to Campbell bridge or the bridge to Blue Springs access). I am open to other areas of the Meramec if anyone has suggestions. During the warmer months I like to run and gun with a spinnerbait and fish fast and usually do 10 mile floats. I realize that probably won't work as well in the cold. I've read a couple interesting article on hair jigs for cold-water smallies, but was looking for other opinions.

and accidentally cast my spinnerbait in the home of a 21" largemouth right below riverview access

we had the river pretty much to ourselves. We ended up setting up camp below 6X and got an early start, so we really didn't see anyone on the stretch from there to Ross on Sunday, either.

Well, fishing was really tough for us this weekend. We did the 15 miles over 2 days and didn't catch much worth talking about. We didn't measure a single fish nor have one worthy of getting the camera out. The weather was nice, and the float was beautiful, but my buddy and I were disappointed. Back in June we hit 6X to Ross back to back days on a weekend early in the month and absolutely tore 'em up. Not cooperating this time though. Oh well...

This weekend a small group of us will be floating the Piney from Slabtown to Ross, camping overnight somewhere Sat. night. I have floated Six Crossings to Ross several times, but never floated above 6x. Both Wilderness Ridge and Riches Last Resort list the Slabtown to Ross float at 15 miles & 6X to Ross float as 7 miles. However, link below lists the total float at 15 miles, but indicate that is ~ 10 miles from Slabtown to 6X, and then ~ 5 miles fro 6x to Ross. http://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/piney.html The reason I ask is that we were talking about setting up camp somewhere shortly after the 1/2 way point, and assumed that meant somewhere past 6X. But the maps indicate that's not that case. Thoughts? Also, I have always had good fishing from 6X to Ross. Is the fishing from Slabtown to 6X similarly good? Thanks