Quick Lower Meramec Report

[Haris122]

Fished from the park just upstream of 141 in Valley Park. I took the kayak for 3 hours Monday afternoon, going up river until I turned around where a small creek connects maybe a mile or so up. Fishing was tough especially early on. I hit the banks and just a bit out from them, but couldn't connect with anything but a little sunfish at first. Eventually, close to where I turned around I thought I got snagged, but then the line started moving and pulling drag. I had used a little white roostertail with silver spoon there. It fought me for 15-20 seconds, drag even did it's job (yep same light action rod and reel I asked about regarding the drag), but then eventually it broke my leader. I had not changed out the 2 lbs leader I had on there for a while so I guess coupled with abrasion of it, and one final good run, it broke off. It dogged me underwater the entire time so I don't know what it was, but it felt good. All I know is the "encounter" was close to shore. For all I know it could've been a carp or whatever. Once I turned around I essentially just cast out behind me and trolled the middle of the river back. There I got a 11" spotted or largemouth bass on another white roostertail, and 13-14" drum on a crankbait.  

[Mitch f]

My 2 cents, I wouldn't ever use anything under 8lb test on that river. Absolutely no reason for it.

[Hog Wally]

1 hour ago, Haris122 said:

Fished from the park just upstream of 141 in Valley Park. I took the kayak for 3 hours Monday afternoon, going up river until I turned around where a small creek connects maybe a mile or so up. Fishing was tough especially early on. I hit the banks and just a bit out from them, but couldn't connect with anything but a little sunfish at first. Eventually, close to where I turned around I thought I got snagged, but then the line started moving and pulling drag. I had used a little white roostertail with silver spoon there. It fought me for 15-20 seconds, drag even did it's job (yep same light action rod and reel I asked about regarding the drag), but then eventually it broke my leader. I had not changed out the 2 lbs leader I had on there for a while so I guess coupled with abrasion of it, and one final good run, it broke off. It dogged me underwater the entire time so I don't know what it was, but it felt good. All I know is the "encounter" was close to shore. For all I know it could've been a carp or whatever. Once I turned around I essentially just cast out behind me and trolled the middle of the river back. There I got a 11" spotted or largemouth bass on another white roostertail, and 13-14" drum on a crankbait.  

I just can't imagine 2 lb test on the river 

[Greasy B]

As I have gained knowledge and experience my line test has crept up. I now consider 8lb test light,  12lb medium and 14lb heavy. If i didn't occasionally fish clear creeks I would stop rigging the 8lb. 

[Haris122]

Quote

My 2 cents, I wouldn't ever use anything under 8lb test on that river. Absolutely no reason for it.

Yeah, normally I don't go below 4, but I happened to still have the 2 lbs from trying something trout related at Meramec Springs a few weeks back and didn't switch over cause I hoped to catch something only big enough to test my new drag adjustments. To be honest, I don't usually catch much that 2-6 lb line can't handle. So I wasn't expecting a fish over 13-14".

[moguy1973]

There are 5lb+ hybrids in there this time of year.  They like rooster tails.  Wouldn't doubt if that's what it was.

[MOFishwater]

Went out with a neighbor on Saturday on a lower stretch in a canoe. Didnt see anyone else which amazed me, it was beautiful out. We paddled up about 10 mins and just let slow current move us. Buddy hooked into a nice gar on 2nd cast that dragged us around for a while and won a free crankbait after a couple unsuccessful attempts to regain the lure. Few casts later we caught a couple big shad. Another couple casts later I caught a decent spot that was FAT and feeding well. Lost a decent largemouth on a spook. 

We've have made two quick trips and caught 6 diff species (nice walleye other trip). Saw some bald eagles and a kingfisher entertained us a bit. Not bad for about an hour on the water just goofing around, pretty cool to get surprised every time you hook into something. 

 

 

[Smalliebigs]

5 hours ago, MOFishwater said:

Went out with a neighbor on Saturday on a lower stretch in a canoe. Didnt see anyone else which amazed me, it was beautiful out. We paddled up about 10 mins and just let slow current move us. Buddy hooked into a nice gar on 2nd cast that dragged us around for a while and won a free crankbait after a couple unsuccessful attempts to regain the lure. Few casts later we caught a couple big shad. Another couple casts later I caught a decent spot that was FAT and feeding well. Lost a decent largemouth on a spook. 

We've have made two quick trips and caught 6 diff species (nice walleye other trip). Saw some bald eagles and a kingfisher entertained us a bit. Not bad for about an hour on the water just goofing around, pretty cool to get surprised every time you hook into something. 

 

 

sweet man!!!!!.....the LM is my home and I love it....are some un slightly things??? sure but, there is so much wildlife and honestly nobody would believe the fish I catch with my buddies so I just keep it quiet......I will say this though the fish on the LM are finicky at best and feed in specific time frames, if you hit it in one of those time frames it will simply blow your mind.

[MOFishwater]

You're right Smallie! Kind of embarrassed to admit I've been living here almost 4 years and I'm literally 2mins from access and only floated this part 2x. Got my eyes out for a kayak so I can go whenever I want to, waiting for a partner makes for many missed chances. I love living right here and seeing eagles in the backyard, deer and turkeys, etc. I'll never make it back into the city, been there and done that. Working there all day is enough for me. Lived in s. city for 7 years and now I just want to move farther out!

[Johnsfolly]

On ‎10‎/‎6‎/‎2016 at 10:00 AM, MOFishwater said:

We've have made two quick trips and caught 6 diff species (nice walleye other trip).

I love to hear about multispecies trips. Congrats. Too bad on the lost crankbait.