Fishing report 6-17

[riverrat]

Took a long float on Saturday, Hwy 17 to Riddle Bridge - its just above the Smb management area and about 14 miles long. The weather conditions were almost ideal- mostly cloudy with a few light showers. The sun came out twice for about 45 min. each time, really slowing down the bite. I only saw 2 other boats all day. One of them was a jet boat, the guy was complaining about having to pull up over a shoal- my heart REALLY bleeds for him. I started out with a spook, my buddy a buzzbait. They were hitting them all day long except when the sun came out. I tried a fluke, baby chug bug, popR, skitterpop, but the lure of the day was a tiny torpedo. We caught 82 bass, with 56 over 12 in.. The largest smallmouth was 17", 3@16, and plenty of 14-15. lots of fun!

[Wayne SW/MO]

One of them was a jet boat, the guy was complaining about having to pull up over a shoal- my heart REALLY bleeds for him.

Thats sad

Glad to hear the topwater bite was on, it seems to be slow in starting this year.

[BrianK]

Sounds like a great wknd! any pics?

14 mi is a long float especially when fishing. I usually find myself crying as i pass by all the good looking water on the last several miles just to get to the take out before gets too dark.

Do you float that stretch in a canoe or johnboat?

How is the shuttle on those floats (fri and sat)? (i don't have the map in front of me)

Didn't do much fishing this wknd...always the next.

bk

[riverrat]

Sorry but I don't take a camera with me. I've tried that and am too worried about keeping the fish out of the water too long. If the memories fade I just go make some more. I use a paddle john and have to drag a few shoals, but not many. The shuttles on these floats are comparable to the river miles. Both floats could easily be made into 2dayers. The first one could be extended a few miles by taking out at Boiling Springs Campground-located down HwyPP off Hwy 28.