7 Bridge To Scecht

[big rich]

Floated 3 days on the 15th through the 17th on this 14 mile float. first two days were really good as we were after SMB only. End up catching quite a few LMB too. Largest SMB was about almost 4 lbs. Plenty of fish in the 2-3 pound range though. Not alot of small fish as we were tossing larger baits. We changed colors on the second day around 10:30 and the fishing immediatly was non stop. Can't believe a color change/lure change could make that much difference. Had one big smallie break me off to boot. It was not a monster just a nice 3.5 smallie. Water was great that time of year as always. Some top water, but fish were not chasing lures down until we made the change. Averaged probably 80 smallies per day between me and my buddy. Float on!

[mzrealfish]

I am headed down next weekend and floating the same run. I do well with jig and craw as well as texas rigged tubes and hula grubs. I would love to know what your "larger baits" were. I am used to the river being up higher than this level so I am willing to try any tips you have to offer.

Thanks,

Mark Z.

[big rich]

I am headed down next weekend and floating the same run. I do well with jig and craw as well as texas rigged tubes and hula grubs. I would love to know what your "larger baits" were. I am used to the river being up higher than this level so I am willing to try any tips you have to offer.

Thanks,

Mark Z.

[big rich]

larger baits we used, large pop r's, buzzbaits and 7 inch sassy shads. leave the pop r sit for up to 20 seconds after the first pop, hard to do, but worth the wait. anything plastic, go to the next size up. Now, when i say this the water was literally up 4 inches and had some good off color to it. We could have just hit it perfect on our float. It was overcast and spitting rain almost the entire trip. I only throu brown colored soft baits, houdini colored from zoom is the ticket. Houdini colored LARGE FLUKES! Always have a square billed crankbait tied on. match the color of the rebel crawdad that everyone loves, get the same color but upgrade to a bigger sized crankbait. Make sure it is a SQUARE BILL, not rounded. Hold on tight, if that bite is on, it will be all you need to throw. If this doens't work, make sure you have some smaller baits so the4 trip is not a bust. I have also flaoted this river in October, this OCt looks to be good, but I have floated in OCt and without cloud cover this river won't give it up as much. good luckand maybe this could help.

[mzrealfish]

Thanks Rich,

Funny, but I have some 6 or 7 inch sassy's that I use for farm pond LM up here in KC. Never thought to try them on the Gasconade. I've got the cranks and rebels covered. Most of my large plastic is in brown or watermelon and 5-6 inch craw tubes. I think we can rule out the river coming back up between now and then, but I agree, we always hope for at least overcast. Our best days have been in the rain as well whether it was sprinkling or coming down pretty well. Unfortunately, it looks like it is going to be a bright and sunny weekend but we will make the most of it no matter what.

Thanks again,

Mark

[mzrealfish]

We had a great float last weekend. Did well with SM on sliver/black back cranks, yamamoto fat Ika green pumpkin, yamamoto senko sweet potato wacky rigged and jig and craw brown/pumpkin. My brother caught a nice crappie on the crank as well as a nice white bass. 1st white bass we have seen that far up river. Went caving Saturday. As for fishing, nothing over 2 1/4 lbs. but lots of 1 to 1 1/2 lb. smallies. Did catch about 15 google-eye, 12 spotted bass and 6 largemouth. Already planning our April trip.

More photos once I develop some film.

Thanks,

Mark Z.

[creek wader]

Did you use an outfitter? Or did you shuttle yourselves. If so, who did you use?

[Greasy B]

Good question, a while ago Ozark Springs Resort would do shuttles but I don’t think that’s the case now. Gasconade Hills Resort may have done it at one time but the logistics are not good, I’m not sure that’s an option. Leaving a vehicle overnight at the access is a little scary. It’s a great stretch of river, well worth the extra effort/risk to float.

[mzrealfish]

Happy holidays all! Sorry I have been away from the site recently. We always use Andy Sheldon @ Rt. 66 canoe rental (573) 855-3394 or (573)336-2730. We have used him for the last 8 years and he is always willing to take us anywhere we want to go. He keeps our vehicle(s) at his place and drops them off the day we are planning on getting off the river. Cheaper if you drive him back to his place so he doesn't have to hire someone else to pick him up. We have put on at 4 different spots on the Big Piney and 6 different places on the Gasconade while we have been using him. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Mark