Meramec Springs 8/18

[Mitch f]

3 minutes ago, bkbying89 said:

Mitch F.

I believe they release more fish today than they did years ago. There are just more people fishing now so the frenzy ends faster. I get to the parks during the week and there are people everywhere.I haven't fished a park during the weekend in quite a while but I assume that they are crowded.

That could very well be.

[Haris122]

I can't say I ever made it down there at the buzzer. I think the earliest I ever got down there was around 9 and by that point the bites were only a bit faster than usual. The crowds on Thursday afternoon were surprisingly light I thought. Lighter than I remember it being any time in the last 3-4 trips I went during the catch and keep season for sure, and maybe even some of the catch and release trips. That close to the weekend I was expecting more people around when we got there, and they stayed light the entire time we were there.

I've got another trip planned for this Tuesday. Supposed to meet up with a friend and get going at 6 in the morning so I might get there by 7:30. Might not be too late past the buzzer.  Certainly would be the closest to it that I ever made it down there. I'm thinking I need to spool a reel up with 2 pound line all the way, just to see how much that changes things. In the past the 4# or 4# with 18-22" of 2# leader worked good enough most of the time, but maybe this will make that extra difference. I just get paranoid that I'd hook a monster and then either have it break off real easy, or have the reel seize up and chafe the line off in no time.

[Seth]

The only reason I go with a full spool of 2# is for the extra casting distance. if you can toss your stuff far enough with the 4# main line, I would just go with a 2# leader. As for going at the buzzer, I usually only get down that early for the opener. I've been doing that for years simply out of tradition. After that, I usually show up around noon. It is more challenging, but it is still usually not a problem to get a decent limit and then some. Honestly, if I only catch my limit then it was a pretty slow day.

I notice that you guys are using spinners a lot. That is one bait that I have never done all that well on. Trout worms, green/whtie rubber legged jigs, white or chartreuse trout magnets are about all I use. Velveeta cheese and DoubleD 007 are great baits for drifting below a float on a #20 treble if it gets really tough. I still carry a jar of yellow and rainbow powerbait in my vest as well. The bait is for backup in case I am having a tough day with lures.

[moguy1973]

I'm not sure why people feel the need to use 2# line at the trout parks.  I've never had any problem at any of them catching fish using 4# or even 6# line on spinning gear and 4# on the fly rod.  The fish there aren't that smart.

[bkbying89]

I think that I always spooled up with 2#, I guess I believed that the farther I could cast the more fish got to admire my lure. Now I only flail the water with the fly rod. That keeps them awake.

[Seth]

8 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

I'm not sure why people feel the need to use 2# line at the trout parks.  I've never had any problem at any of them catching fish using 4# or even 6# line on spinning gear and 4# on the fly rod.  The fish there aren't that smart.

I can't say if it makes a difference or not to be honest. Like I said, I mainly use it for the extra castng distance it gives me. Besides, it definitely can't hurt when the water is crystal clear. The water has been dingy most of the season so it is unlikely that 2# line made a difference this year.

[Haris122]

I thought the water on Thursday was pretty clear to be honest, but I feel like it usually is. Not clear enough to keep them from biting, but I will say I had quite a few times that they followed the lure for a while, and then just turned back around. Probably cause they saw me near shore, and thought "On second hand, let's not". Probably also why my best luck seemed to be close to turbulent water, where they didn't see me for a while, but could definitely make out the shine from the blade on the roostertail.

[stlfisher]

Meramac Springs is a place I avoid in the summer...it is kinda a pain the way it is set up and it gets cleaned out. Winter can be fun, but a lot of better options in that area this time of year IMO. Google eye, smallmouth, trout all kinds of fish in there

[Seth]

Crowds are another reason I go mid day. Most of the anglers get down there early, get their fish and get out of there. You can go down and fish any hole in the park from mid day on without being overly crowded.

[bkbying89]

I guess I am eating crow today. Went to Maramec Springs today and lost one fish early and missed another later in the day. It seemed like no one was catching on anything. Bait , lures or flies. This was the first time I had fished the park since the end of C&R. Now I remember why. I hate All that grass and moss. Sorry Mitch F.