I Need Info On Spotted Bass And Smallies

[Al Agnew]

I pretty much know what the ratio of smallmouth to spotted bass is on the streams I usually fish, but I haven't been on some of the other streams of the Ozarks for quite a while. So any of you who fish for stream bass, please let me know here or by PM the following:

1. Stream stretches you fish (doesn't have to be exact stretches, just the stream if it's a smaller one, or "upper" "middle" "lower" if it's a larger stream. I'm especially interested in the Niangua both above and below Bennett Spring, the James, and the Gasconade below Jerome, but I'd like to hear from anybody who wishes to participate.

2. What is the ratio of smallmouth to spotted bass in your catch?

3. If you've fished this stream for several years or more, has that ratio changed during that time?

4. Any other info you care to give me concerning the bass population of your stream.

Like I said, if you wish to keep it quiet, PM me. I'm not going to divulge secrets, but I'd like to get a better handle on the status of spotted bass vs. smallmouth on the northern Ozark streams especially, but also on streams where spots are native.

[fishinwrench]

I have yet to catch a spot anywhere above Tunnel Dam on the Niangua.

I have not caught a spot between Black Ford and Competition on the Gasconade, but did catch one near Beaver cr. above Competition, ONCE, and it became coon food.

The Little Niangua has considerably fewer numbers of spots in the lower stretch than it does in the middle. And I have never caught a spot in the far upper (Mule Shoe) area of Lil'N.

But from Green ford to Bannister I'd say that it is 30% Spots, 30% LM, and 40% Smallies.

The lower stretch from Bannister down past Fiery fork to the low water crossing at Sulpher Spring the smallies are holding their own and I'd rate it 10% spots, 15% LM, 75% SM.

(makes no sense but that's my experience).

Gravois creek is 40% LM, 30% spots, 30% smallmouth from the bedrock slab under 5 hiway down to TT bridge (the lake). There are no spots above 5 hwy.(yet), and nothing but smallies and very few LM from McCaslin bridge on up to the gravel raping area in the headwaters. The big bedrock slabs might be a barrier that spots don't like to cross, maybe because of the increased current and long stretch of shallow fast water (calf deep or less for 100 yards). The Whites and Gar don't cross it either, during their spawning runs, FWIW.

[creek wader]

Al, these are just rough my "guestimates". In my 5 yrs. experience fishing the Lower Osage and it's tributaries. Also, the N. Moreau and S. Moreau.

The Lower Osage River: ... from Bagnell dam to the lock n' dam above Hwy. 63. : Spotted 60%, Largemouth 30%, Smallmouth 10%.

Maries River: Spotted 15%, Largemouth 35%, Smallmouth 50%.

Big Tavern Creek: Spotted 10%, Largemouth 40%, Smallmouth 50%.

S. Moreau: From it's confluence with the N. Moreau upstream: Spotted 40%, Largemouth 40%, Smallmouth 20%.

N. Moreau: From it's confluence with the S. Moreau upstream: Spotted 60%, Largemouth 40%. (No smallies caught)

Notes:

Al. These are figures are taken from my catches only. No other data used. My lure selection, techniques, and methods, may skew the species %.

Also, These %, doesn't include any spot/smallie hybrids. Which I have caught on all the above mentioned streams. The hybrids are especially common on the Osage and N. Moreau.

I averaged the % on the Maries and Tavern Creek. It seems that the % of smallies increase and the % of spots decrease, the further upstream you travel. The opposite is true the further downstream you go. The largemouth % seems to stay level.

Al, I hope this helps. ..... wader

[Wayne SW/MO]

I haven't run into any spots on the Niangua above and below, Beaver, Finley, James, Elk, Indian, Gasconade, Osage Fork, and Flat creek that I remember, but I have caught a couple of hybrids in the lower end of Bryant.

[Guest]

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[creek wader]

"If you've fished this stream for several years or more, has that ratio changed during that time?"

Al, I over looked this question on my earlier reply. Yes it seems like on all the streams that I fish the spots catch ratio to smallies, have increased. I wouldn't say by a large margin, but, I have noticed that I'm catching more now than in the past.

We had talked about this in past posts. The spots have breached several low water crossings and have entered new sections upstream. This is especially noticeable in the past three years. I think this is in direct correlation to the heavy rains, high water, and flooding, the last several years. On the same note. I have also caught white bass many miles upstream on the small streams, too.

I think this is just a natural occurance. .. wader