Lower Meramec Info

[Thomas Rogers]

New to the area looking for boat ramp around Arnold area would like to put my jet in but can settle for a nice 4-5 hour float if any one has any recommendations. Is the lower even navigable with a jet this time of year ? What species should be targeted ?

[Smalliebigs]

Hey Thomas welcome to the area. The closest  ramp to Arnold is in Arnold and it's called Flam City...stupid auto correct  on this darn Samsung sucks!!!

The river is navigable all the way up to HWY 8 in Saint James if you know what Yer doing.

Right now on the lower Meramec  I would be targeting White bass and Spotted bass....or if they don't play put on a crawdad  crank bait and the Drum will abide. 

For the Whites use any medium diving shad pattern  crank bait.....the lower river is full of very jagged  rocks so keep your rod tip up and don't just obliterate  the rocks but make contact....otherwise  you will be in a lure graveyard. ...

My rule of thumb is only use cranks that cost 5$ down there.....Storm Smash Shads are cheap and effective. ...Bomber 3's and 4's in shad patterns and craw patterns.....cheap jerkbait s. ....I say this because you will lose some baits. ...

Good luck and come back here  and report man!!

Sorry the next ramp up from Flam is George Winter park in Fenton.....we really need some rain bad and douche the system  out bigtime

[Thomas Rogers]

Smalliebigs Thanks for the info !! much appreciated I am going to check it out in the am and indeed I will report back hopefully with some nice snap shots. 

 

[semble]

If you don't want to wait for the George Winter to open, Meramec Marina has a ramp on the other side of the river.  Careful at any of the ramps, water is low and you will be at the end of the ramp when launching.

[Thomas Rogers]

Sorry guys for the late response business has been keeping me swamped. Appreciate the responses I did get out Tuesday morning after doing a little more research online reports were saying that Flam city was real low I figured give it a shot if low George winter was a good back up even with reports warning of low conditions there as well. Well after a 45 minute wait for the nephew to get out of bed only to have to drive off with out him (I will never wait more then 5 again) my plans were to be on river by 7 with the wait it was now almost 7:45  decided to just head to George winter to put in the ramp was in good shape no issue  didn't event get my toes wet. Spent quite alot of time just getting to know the river as this was the first time in the area aside from the leaves clogging up the grate every now and then . The lower is no current river scenery but despite the more populated area still a beautiful river color was more clear then i expected as i said did not fish hard went up to 141 bridge and back pulled out @ 9;30 was able to land 2 buffalo which was a first for me both on crayfish colored wiggle wart couple missed opportunities with two spots but for light fishing more exploring trip sure beats being in the shop. Thanks for the input guys

[Mitch f]

 What is it with Buffalo and wiggle warts? I caught one the other day on a WW

[Smalliebigs]

Tatonka .....I have been seeing them too...I was know as Artisan  Rough fish guy and now I am Runs with Temperate Lightning 

[mjk86]

There's a lot of drum on that river.  I caught 3 the other day just under why 44 on a pearl white bandit 200.  Since I'm throwing everything back when I walk the bank anyway I think the drum are tons of fun to catch!!  1 of the three was a giant...at least the biggest I ever caught Prolly 6 or 8#  the other 2 were smaller.