Any time and anywhere !!

[Bill Butts]

There are so many lakes and streams to fish for Stripers, Hybrids and Whites in the Ozarks Region it is mind boggling. Like the old saying goes, "so many fish (and places to fish), so little time." That saying couldn't better fit these awesome fish. This forum can help your learning curve, especially if you're just getting started or want to learn about some new areas. Or, maybe you've fished with conventional tackle for these species and you think you might be interested in trying to catch them with a fly rod. It is not difficult to learn.

I'm always looking for new accesses on the rivers I know, and for new opportunities to find some great fishing on lakes or rivers I know little or nothing about. It is a very time consuming process, usually, with lots of trial and error trips. The key is good information to shorten the learning curve. The best source is the internet, in forums like this. You've come to the right place.

My home waters for spring White Bass fishing for many years have been Beaver Creek, James River and the Little Sac River. Three distinctly different characters of water. During the summer and fall, the lakes I've spent the most time catching Whites are Stockton and Bull Shoals. I've probably fished about every river in Southern MO that gets any significant spring spawning runs, but I'm sure the above 3 rivers have accounted for more of my fishing success than all the rest combined that I've fished for the past 30 years.

My personal list of places I want to learn more about is a long one. Northern Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma have some great fishing for all 3 species, and there are a few fisheries in MO I'm still hungry to learn more about.

My personal favorite of the species is the Hybrid Striper because pound for pound it is the hardest hitting, running and fighting. If you have some favorite fisheries you consistently catch 5 to 15# Hybrids, on lakes or in rivers, I would appreciate hearing from you.

What lakes and rivers do you consider your "home waters", and/or where would you like to learn more about?

[Rusty]

Bill,

Wished I could give you first hand knowledge. I haven't fished for hybrids, but I have seen 10-15 lb hybrids that were caught on Spring River in Oklahoma. They look like they had swallowed a basketball. I have also heard they can tear up a good bait casting reels drag systems. I also hear, you catch these monsters on the Neosho River in Oklahoma as well.

[Linhardt]

Hybrids are my personal favorite...... I fish for them on Truman and Truman Tailwaters. Trying to learn the spring white fishing in the tributaries, creeks, and rivers but not having much luck finding right areas or time in my neck of the woods. I have only caught 1 striper in my life and it was a small one about 6 lbs.

[Bill Butts]

Bill,

Wished I could give you first hand knowledge. I haven't fished for hybrids, but I have seen 10-15 lb hybrids that were caught on Spring River in Oklahoma. They look like they had swallowed a basketball. I have also heard they can tear up a good bait casting reels drag systems. I also hear, you catch these monsters on the Neosho River in Oklahoma as well.

russ,

do you have some buddies or contacts that specifically target the hybrids or whites?

It wouldn't matter if they fish with spinning or fly tackle, finding them is the key.

They are not difficult to catch if you know they are in the river you are on.

We plan to hit that hard again this spring, to find some more hybrids that move in as the whites are about done spawning. Will be glad to share with you where to find them.

We caught a jillion whites last year but turned our attention to Arkansas for hybrids when we got the word they were in the spots we fish down there.

let's keep in touch.

[Bill Butts]

Hybrids are my personal favorite...... I fish for them on Truman and Truman Tailwaters. Trying to learn the spring white fishing in the tributaries, creeks, and rivers but not having much luck finding right areas or time in my neck of the woods. I have only caught 1 striper in my life and it was a small one about 6 lbs.

hello,

There are several trib streams of LOZ that receive runs of whites and mixed hybrids but I don't know the accesses personally.

The Big Niangua would have to be one of the best to learn, since the area also hosts many large stripers/hybrids in the underwater springs at HaHaTonka. The fish cannot go above Tunnel Dam, several miles up the river, so the corridor is better defined than most rivers.

If you have a boat, or a buddy with one, I would be learning the upper lake right below the Dam where lots of everything that swims in the lake congregates especially in the spring. Personally visit every bait shop in the area and ask questions until you're blue in the face. When you find someone helpful, build a friendship with them so you can call them any time for info, and report your successes and thankfulness to them.

Another source that you will find very valuable, especially as you get to know them, is to meet (even by phone) the MDC Agent and the Fisheries Biologists for the areas you seek to learn.

The agents know where the locals are successfully fishing in the streams and will tell you exactly where to access the river, and the fisheries guys/gals are many times avid fishermen and are pleased to provide you helpful info, too.

Timely information is the key, even if you already know where to fish. I always tell folks to "network, network, network".

Hope this is helpful. Wish I could provide the names of some fly fishermen that fish those tribs, but I can't.

There is a flyfishing shop and a club in either Jeff or Columbia. I would seek to network with prospective fellow striper enthusiasts there, too.

[Linhardt]

Thanks Butts, I definitely give that advice a try this year.

[Bill Butts]

Thanks Butts, I definitely give that advice a try this year.

Great.

Let me know how you progress during the coming season.

The contacts you accumulate over the years are as important as a secret fishin hole.

My email is available on my profile, too, if you'd like to use it some time.

Keep in touch.

BB

[Rusty]

Bill...I have some ideas where they are catching them. Guys around here keep things so tight lipped, its easier to go catch the hybrids than ask where things are. They will be catching them on both rivers, but usually start on the Spring, first. As low as the water will probably be, a jet motor to get over the riffles will be the best bet. I don't fish for them for the only reason of not having a boat. I can get you a some good crappie in the early spring time if your interested, on the Neosho. Soon after, maybe a week, the whites and hybrids start.

Russ

[Bill Butts]

Bill...I have some ideas where they are catching them. Guys around here keep things so tight lipped, its easier to go catch the hybrids than ask where things are. They will be catching them on both rivers, but usually start on the Spring, first. As low as the water will probably be, a jet motor to get over the riffles will be the best bet. I don't fish for them for the only reason of not having a boat. I can get you a some good crappie in the early spring time if your interested, on the Neosho. Soon after, maybe a week, the whites and hybrids start.

Russ

russ,

there is so much good water on the Spring, I'll show you or take you there.

some is accessible by foot and it is as good as any white bass fishing I've ever experienced.

let's keep in touch.

BB

[Rusty]

russ,

there is so much good water on the Spring, I'll show you or take you there.

some is accessible by foot and it is as good as any white bass fishing I've ever experienced.

let's keep in touch.

BB

Bill,

Sounds good. Something I just remembered, different subject. I can remember going to Spring River and fishing a 6" piece of frayed nylon rope with a plastic worm sinker, and catching gar. Can you imagine doing that with a fly rod. Did it during the hottest part of the summer come to think of it.

Back to the topic at hand. I have waded on the Spring, up by the Kansas line and caught a walleye. Strange fish for this area. We will keep in touch.