Jet Boat Fishing

[ducksbit]

I am thinking of trying the 17ft jon with a 60 jet around the Mill rock area. Has anyone done it? Any other suggestions? Thanks

Jim

[Gavin]

Its small water up there..Last time I floated Mill to Wenkel, we had to drag the canoe around fair number of log jams and over some shallow shoals between pools..I'd probaby lauch from Reiker or Mayers instead. Cheers.

[Bourbeuse River Angler]

I think I would stay on the meramec with that size rig. Mill rock would definitely tear something up. I was between reikers and mayers last weekend with a 17 foot - 35 jet, and had to drag a couple of spots and actually busted a piece off the jet intake shoe right above mayers. I usually fish from the MDC access at 44 and up to Guth's mill. Even in this area, depending on flow, you find a lot of skinny, and really shallow water. Although it's usually pretty good during the spring. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the bourbeuse, but the success of jets on it really depends on how much you care if you hit stuff, or the bottom (it usually happens at least once a trip). If you aren'y looking to travel real far once on the water, up river from reikers (you wont be able to go down) is a pretty long deep hole. good luck, and I hope this helps.

[Al Agnew]

The Bourbeuse is flowing well over 2000 cfs at Union right now, which is plenty of water to run a jetboat in itself. BUT, it'll also be very murky to muddy when it's flowing that much water, and you won't be able to see obstacles. And the river up around Mill Rock will be very narrow, brushy, and log-jammed in places.

In my opinion as a jetboater and canoe angler, jetboats simply have no business being on the Bourbeuse anywhere above Noser Mill. Even if the river is full enough to be doable, a stream that size is simply not jetboat water. Dang it, leave some of the rivers for those of us who want to float without the possibility of encountering a loud, high speed boat in a narrow spot!

[Seth]

I've floated from Mill Rock to Wenkel and I don't think I'd be brave enough to take my jet boat on it and I've got a 1648 with 50hp jet. The only place I've put my boat in on the Bourbeuse was at the Mint Springs access out on Highway EE outside of Owensville. You can go up river a pretty good ways in that spot. Lots of suckers in there if you get to them early enough when gigging season starts.

[ozark trout fisher]

Dang it, leave some of the rivers for those of us who want to float without the possibility of encountering a loud, high speed boat in a narrow spot!

Amen to that.

[ducksbit]

Thats why I ask, I'll stick to canoes there then.

[ozark trout fisher]

Thats why I ask, I'll stick to canoes there then.

Just so you know, I have nothing against jet boaters. Heck, I wish I had one. I just think there are better places than the upper Bourbeuse for them. I don't even have a problem with jet boaters below Mayers or Reikers, just so long as they are responsible and watch for canoes.

[ducksbit]

I'm new to the jet boat scene so I don't want to look like an idiot and piss everyone off. haha Thanks

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm new to the jet boat scene so I don't want to look like an idiot and piss everyone off. haha Thanks

Your fine. No one is pissed off, or thinks your an idiot (at least not me, and I doubt anywhere else) :lol: