New to Fishing near Meramec State Park

[BigTony]

Hey all Meramec anglers, I was hoping you veterans could help out a new fisher on the hunt.

I moved into the area about 3 years ago, and finally have a situation where I can restart my desire to fish.  My wife has offered to purchase a boat for my birthday, and I am looking forward to taking out my 5 yr old son fishing with me.

I understand different stretches of the Meramec River are fairly different from one another and was hoping for some guidance on the boat that would best suite the river.  While I live right next to the state park, I have no qualms about driving for some quality fishing.  It was suggested to me that a 14-16 ft flatbottom jon boat would suite my purposes, large enough to be versatile and comfortable, yet light enough to pull through shallow sections of the river.  While this seems like it might work, I was wondering if the seasoned fisherman who venture these waters on a regular basis might have addition or more specific insight on a craft that would work best.  I prefer to fish for bass, however I have been unable to fish for such a time that any bites would mean a good time.

I understand jet boats are all the rage and work well in the shallows, I am unsure if my budget has the room to fit the luxury.  Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

[moguy1973]

I'd get a 16' with a jet on it, then you don't have to drag it through the riffles.  You have one of the better stretches of the Meramec to fish for smallies.  Probably had my best day of fishing for smallmouth from the park down to the caverns.

[drew03cmc]

Moguy, any suggestions on a jet motor for say a 1436 or a 1648 jon? How small is too small? Is a 25/40 acceptable or should one go larger?

[ColdWaterFshr]

10 hours ago, BigTony said:

 It was suggested to me that a 14-16 ft flatbottom jon boat would suite my purposes, large enough to be versatile and comfortable, yet light enough to pull through shallow sections of the river.  While this seems like it might work, I was wondering if the seasoned fisherman who venture these waters on a regular basis might have addition or more specific insight on a craft that would work best.  I prefer to fish for bass, however I have been unable to fish for such a time that any bites would mean a good time.

I understand jet boats are all the rage and work well in the shallows, I am unsure if my budget has the room to fit the luxury.  Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

Go RiverPro or go home son.  And be sure to keep to the far right of the channel!

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Cracking me up!!

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, ColdWaterFshr said:

Go RiverPro or go home son.  And be sure to keep to the far right of the channel!

 

Haha......

yep, Paul Dallas takes no prisoners!

[Smalliebigs]

1 hour ago, ColdWaterFshr said:

Go RiverPro or go home son.  And be sure to keep to the far right of the channel!

 

good advice

[BigTony]

2 hours ago, ColdWaterFshr said:

Go RiverPro or go home son.  And be sure to keep to the far right of the channel!

 

Well that's a touch out of my price range, haha. I hope the advice about the channel is genuine, if so then thanks.  I am looking at used boats with and without jet motors, anything in particular to avoid?

[Hog Wally]

I like 50 hp jet on a 16 ' 52" 

[ColdWaterFshr]

Have to stir the pot every now and then.  This dump has gotten stale.