Lower Big report 3/18

[Brian Jones]

A tale of two trips so to speak.  Put in this afternoon about 3:40 and only managed three fish (the worst of times).  However, one of them was this 20 incher that weighed 4.01 (the best of times). This is my best Big River smallie to date after fishing this creek for more than half my life.  Water temp was 54.6 to 55.  Wind was pretty aggravating most of the afternoon and the air temp dropped 11 degrees from when I put in until I took out.  Water color looks good.  Some color but pretty decent visibility.  

[Mitch f]

Brian that is awesome man! Big brute!!

[Smalliebigs]

Sweet Brian!!!....kudos my friend 

[MOsmallies]

Nice Brian! You have put some BIG river bass in the boat this winter/early spring. Always enjoy your reports!

[Smallieguy87]

Very nice fish! The Big and can produce some great smallmouth and is really one of my favorite places to catch smallmouth. Nice work man!

[405z06]

I have a love/hate relationship with the lower Big. For the weekend of 3/12 we had plans to hit the Meramec near Steelville, but the water got high and flowing, and our only real option was to float the lower Big. The water was up, swift, and muddy, but we got off the schneid for 2016 with 4 smallies, 1 largemouth, and the fattest 13" spot I have ever seen. In the first 30 minutes we broke one of our two paddles and lost a bait-caster combo worth $400+.

It seems pics of fish always look much smaller than reality, but this fish was 19" for sure. Probably the biggest fish we'll see all year. But I look forward to the days of 100 fish and sunburns over rainy and cold. I like action,

[Smalliebigs]

57 minutes ago, 405z06 said:

I have a love/hate relationship with the lower Big. For the weekend of 3/12 we had plans to hit the Meramec near Steelville, but the water got high and flowing, and our only real option was to float the lower Big. The water was up, swift, and muddy, but we got off the schneid for 2016 with 4 smallies, 1 largemouth, and the fattest 13" spot I have ever seen. In the first 30 minutes we broke one of our two paddles and lost a bait-caster combo worth $400+.

It seems pics of fish always look much smaller than reality, but this fish was 19" for sure. Probably the biggest fish we'll see all year. But I look forward to the days of 100 fish and sunburns over rainy and cold. I like action,

Man what a beautiful  Smallie...kudos to whoever caught it

[Smallieguy87]

Haven't lost a rod and reel yet but have broke a paddle or two on the big before.

[Hog Wally]

Is it just me or are these rivers chock full of big fish.   Good fish Brian.  Lower or middle big though ?  Let's categorize the big   Where's lower stop?  Pm me  

[go4ducks2]

Very nice!!