Okie Outdoorsman

Cricket, Thanks for the invite. I am deployed right now but when I get back I will take you up on you offer....I would like to see how you have you boat set up. Thanks again.

Hello all, I am new to the site and the area. I was looking for some advice on boat choices. I will primarily be fishing the Gasconade, Osage Fork and Big Piney as well as some small lakes and ponds. I am sure that I will venture to some other areas but these will be my primary areas. I have narrowed it down to two choices (for the most part because these could easily change based on sound advice). I am looking at getting either a square stern canoe that I can mount a trolling motor on or the one I am leaning towards is a 14ft Jon Boat that I would also mount a trolling motor on and possibly a small outboard in the 5-10 horsepower range. The reason I am leaning towards that is for the space and stablility. However I have limited canoe and river experiance, so I don't know if that wouldn't be a better option. I was just want to make an informed decision with feedback from people who have been on these rivers and what their opinions are for the best all around small boat for the area is. I will be fishing both solo or with one other person. My mind is not nearly made up so I will gladly take any feedback or advice. Also, since I have never really fished these areas I will gladly take any advice that you would think would be helpful for a newcomer.

Hello all, I am very happy that I found this website. My wife and I are both originally from Oklahoma, however we are both stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. I am a very avid outdoorsman to include hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, floating and boating. This site seems like a very informative site and everyone really seems to want to help each other. I am new to river fishing as most of my fishing in Oklahoma was ponds and lakes, but I did pursue various species to include largemouth, crappie, bluegill, catfish, stripers and sand bass (white bass). I have dabbled in fly fishing but just a cheap Wal-Mart rig (I can hear everyone cringing right now) with poppers for bass in ponds. I am looking to get either a square stern canoe that I can mount a trolling motor on or a 14ft jon boat that I will mount a trolling motor on and possibly a small outboard in the 5-10 horsepower range. I am sure that I will get out and explore a lot of places in Missouri but the main areas that I will be fishing will be the Gasconade, Osage Fork, Big Piney and a few small lakes and ponds. I am sure that most of my fishing will stick to the Pulaski, Phelps, Laclede, Miller, Maries and Texas counties area. Any advice on boat choices as well as tactics, tackle and gear for the area would be greatly appreciated. Also any advice that you think would help out a newcomer to the area would be great. Thank you.