The one that got away

[MrErickson]

Some background:

• This summer is the first time I've really chased Smallmouth with any determination.  I've gotten pretty good at finding those 13 and 14 inch fish which keeps my enjoyment level high during floats.
• I live near Shelvin and Delaware, so I've floated that stretch a lot.  I've also made it down to Hootentown a couple times, weaving in and out of recreational canoes and rafts like a slalom skier.
• Because I fancy myself a goal-oriented individual, I proclaimed this "The Summer of The James" meaning I would float from Springfield Lake to Galena in sections this summer (spoiler alert: I'm not gonna make it this summer).
• Your reports of 18+ inch fish have me salivating and working harder to land one of those big boys (or girls).  Before today I had pulled in several 16 inch fish but nothing bigger.
• I grew up fishing farm ponds, small lakes and muddy creeks in North Missouri, so this clear water river fishing stuff is different.  Learning is fun.

With all that in mind, today I floated from Hootentown to Ponce and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I'd say it is my favorite stretch I've been on thus far.  I hit the water about 6 am, and the topwater bite was on.

The river is wide, current is good and obstacles are few.  I was trying to meet a ride at Ponce at 1, so I didn't dally during the first few miles.  Pulled in plenty of fish, size was good.  As I went through a deep fast run, I hooked into a fish that took some drag and turned the kayak.  I was sure my 18 inch goal had been reached.  After fighting, beaching, landing and measuring, the tale of the tape said 17 inches.  No disappointment - it is still my largest yet.

5 casts later in the same run, I hooked into something with shoulders.  A couple minutes (it seemed like) of singing drag, current runs and then came the breach.  The football sized brown beauty was noticeably bigger than the 17 inch puny minnow I had just landed.  Bronze back glistened in the morning sun as the beast cleared the water.  Ferocious head shake, splash down and SNAP.  My lucky crankbait swam off in the mouth of a picture worthy Smallmouth.

Still no disappointment.  It was an awesome day.  I got to Ponce at noon.  6 hours to float 6.5 miles with a couple fishing stops.  If I wasn't under a time crunch I could have stretched the float to 8.  Boaz gauge said 300 cfs.

Of course all the fish I caught were released.  

Best Wishes.

[Smalliebigs]

SWEET REPORT!!!!

It sounds like you had a 19 or a 20 to me. I honestly love it when people like you are out there having fun learning and admiring the Bronze beauties of the Ozarks.

Keep on doing what yer doing......awesome post my friend

[Flysmallie]

There are some monsters in the James. I've tangled with a couple of them but always end up on the loosing side as well. Keep after it, you are getting close. 

[bassfisher]

Last fall on the James around river cut

[curtisce]

Smallies aren't the only thing to chase after down on that stretch

[nhornback]

Unfortunately that one isn't my catch, but I'll share it anyways.  a buddy of mine pulled that one in several weeks back around McCall bridge.  6lb LM... 

[curtisce]

well fed LM  

[crappie_adams83]

That is a great stretch of river that is where the start of the trophy bass sectioned to where they have to be 15" and you're even only allowed one smallie to keep so instead of keeping it they normally get released so I can't wait to hit it Friday 

[ICI]

MrE, your story sounds very familiar.  I am 20 years behind though.  I grew up in Tulsa area fishing spots and ponds that seem to always produce.  Never had to really "learn" to fish.  After college moved to Los Angeles and got stuck there for 16 year.  Now I had the opportunity to move where I wanted and we chose Springfield area.  

Now that I’m here, a month now, I’ve been told and from what I ready you have to get a yak to find the good holes.  So, good coincident, it’s my bday this week so I got an ascend 12t.  

Up to this point I’ve been going out about 3 days a week after work and bank fishing. I’ve tried Delaware, a little at shelvin rock, SF lake, McCracken bridge and fellows off the bridge on the east side.  I have been nonstop watching vids, learning techniques I never had to use as a kid.  Senko's have been the only successful option for me so far and mostly below the spillway at McCracken.  Dropping them of the ledges of the rocks I’ve got a few decent LM, nothing over 2lbs yet though.  

Back to the James - I want to take a trip, my first kayak trip on Monday, I know it may be busy, but still.  I'd like to run a 3-5 hr. run.  I've searched and it seems the Delaware to Shelvin Rock is 8hr+, is that true for you?

I have 20 years to make up for so any suggestion are welcome....

[RSBreth]

Delaware to Shelvin is 4 hours max, if you park on the bank for one entire hour. Don't know where you are getting 8 from. Figure floating downstream about 1 hour per mile, but I go a little faster than that.