02/18/2016 river report

[Smalliebigs]

Well I had the pleasure of fishing with 3 of the St.Louis 5 today on water none of us had really hit before, especially in the winter. The water temps hovered between 39 and 40 until about 2:00pm when it bumped up to 41. This particular river had just risen a little under a foot from snowfall earlier this week but, was still quite clear IMO. Winter fishing is definitely quite different from summer months in regards to where the fish will be. I have to continually check myself as I think everything looks good that is typical habitat for warmer months but, in the winter the fish just aren't there. On this day watching Mitch F and Hog Wally break down the water and work as a cohesive unit to find the fish in 40 degree water was more than impressive. Weird little nooks with very little flow with deep water, downstream behind timber was the key today....the caveat was these weird little nooks were hard to find. Hog wally and  Mitch just break it down and it's just fun to watch.

  We caught a few on Jerkbaits but, today the Mitch craw ruled the waterway. This bait is just sick!!! It's crazy to think that we are throwing jigs on 5/16th ounce jigheads in the Winter....a far cry from an 1/8 ounce hair jig. Mitch will get mad at me for hyping his craw up once again because he's modest but, when you see these bass we caught I think you might feel the same as I do about his bait.

 The action in one particular area was very hot and heavy as Hog Wally and I had two double ups......poor Mitch was netting fish and taking pics for us.....it was nuts...thanks Mitch It's not very often you double up with a 19 1/2 inch smallmouth and a 17 inch spotted bass. Both were CHUNKY....when I held the Smallie the first thing that struck me was it's girth and weight....very heavy. Hog Wally also nailed some other Spots from 15 to 17, these guys are fishing machines!!!!! 

The jokes we cracked were awesome and it's always just a great time out on the water with these boys.....they brought me out of my Winter doldrums and have me pumped for the new year of river fishing. MOsmallies it seems like you are next up for the Hog Wally-n- Mitch F 20 inch tour, get ready my friend  

 

[MOsmallies]

That is a stud smallmouth Scott!! Well done boys... You guys put the hammer on em!!

[joeD]

Making things happen! Alright! 

(MUST> NOT >GET> JEALOUS>>)

[Hog Wally]

Hilarious Joe d.   I know the feeling.  Not today but most days.    Today ruled.  These guys are awesome dudes to fish with.  

[Smalliebigs]

Someone on this forum  just messaged  me and said I was fibbing about the size of this Smallmouth. ...so let's show you a different  pic that shows length and how chunky it was if you are familiar  with the size of Hawg troughs 

[fishinwrench]

The red mark on that bump board is Baaad news !       Better wipe that off of there

[Smalliebigs]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

The red mark on that bump board is Baaad news !       Better wipe that off of there

Hahahahaha.....I think you may be right Wrench....the 20 inch length is a true bench mark for river bass. it's  tough to catch them over it that's  for sure. This fish wasn't  even close to 20 but the girth and weight  when you held it were really cool......she swam away strong and is growing  hopefully, just not too fast.

[Mitch f]

5 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

The red mark on that bump board is Baaad news !       Better wipe that off of there

Lol, you'll be the first to get the pic when I catch one over 20" this year dawg!!?

Aarons River Pro is beyond belief for me, that thing is like nothing I've ever seen. There was a huge mink (I actually thought it was a beaver or otter at first) crossing the river in a long straight away. We were flying up the river at about 50 mph and didn't have time to react, but the mink dove straight down below the boat and we felt and heard a thump. I guess that mink was used to 60/40 jet boats!?, he misjudged our speed. Oh well

[Brian Jones]

Awesome day guys.  Cannot wait to get out there tomorrow.  

The RP's are undoubtedly the best river boat on the market.  You can never fully appreciate their capabilities until you experience it for yourself.  

[jpb2187]

Sweet fish. I was going to go wade in the Meramec today by Eureka, but it's been a long winter and I don't feel like working too hard for em, so I'm gonna go to a lake that's some easier pickings. (Hopefully)