Ideas On Smallmouth Rivers Near St. Louis

[LarrySTL]

Two years ago I was asking the same things and I am still not out of the woods but I can go out and on a decent day expect to catch an ok number of smallmouth with a few of them decent size. I did exactly what this thread is saying to do.

The Delorme MO Atlas ( best for figuring out how to get to a particular access spot), 200 Mo Smallmouth Adventures ( best for deciding where I wanted to try to get to) and the USGS gauges for water flow and depth. I am nowhere near where some guys like Al and Gavin and Smalliebigs are, but I am past the point of feeling inept and I can figure things out a lot faster on a given day. Last year took me more than one outing to catch a smallmouth; this year took me about 25 minutes the first day. Etc.

Some of what you are looking for is small enough that its not on a state highway map. The creeks can be small enough that the riffles would not float a stick, let alone a yak or canoe, especially at this years water levels. Al told me longgg casts, that if I could see the fish they already saw me and I was too close, and he was right. Dull colored clothes. If you can make the cast without even getting your feet in the water, stay on the shore. Look for seams in current, between faster and not-as-fast water. I won't say dont throw at the calm largemouth-looking water, but don't spend much time throwing there. I'm using 8 lb line and thats pretty common. Lots of topwaters, especially walk-the-dog ones, and some small to medium size plastics in places where the bottom isnt wall to wall snot moss.

Be quiet, be subtle in the approach, and cast as far as you can.

I'm still clomping around in the boondocks exploring, but now I am catching some fish while I explore.

Repeat as needed.

On a non-fish note: locking gas cap on your vehicle if it doesnt already have one, and put the "security screws" on your license plates.

Good luck, you can do this !

[Gavin]

Larry's advice is spot on...Good smallmouth are where you find them..Long casts and stealth...never hurt a darn thing. Smallie addicts are way more secretive than trout fisherman...They will never give up good walk & wade water on a public forum...if your lucky...they might narrow it down to 10 miles of float water ......PM them...or better yet...meet in person...and put something on the table about X,Y & Z .and the Questions and some note comparing might start.

If it goes well...you might get a few hints about new areas to explore.....Then there is the other puzzle about obtaining access, rounding up a crew if you want to float it....not all that easy, but a heck of alot of fun! I usually try to scout possible access points on new water on my way home from someplace else when time allows. Hope we havent ticked you off...A membership the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance couldnt hurt...Havent been to a meeting in 5-6 years...but you will probably meet some folks, and pick up some info there. Good luck to ya!

[ColdWaterFshr]

There it is.

[Mitch f]

There it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7TGlcHy3ug