Float recommendations

[MNtransplant]

I have read enough on this forum to know that there are oodles of good floats for smallies. My wife just surprised me by asking if we could do a float for our Birthdays the week of July 4th. 

What would be the best combo for scenery and a chance at decent numbers of fish within a couple hours of Springfield?

I have a bunch of fly gear and spinning gear but i could also use tips on baits to try and how to fish them. I almost exclusively jig fish in rivers with maribou and bucktail stuff that i tie.

We would likely try to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds as best as possible. We dont have our own kayaks or canoes so we'd be renting.

[Gavin]

Take your pick from Springfield. James, Finley, Niangua, Gasconade, Big Piney,  Meramec, Big,  Current, Eleven Point, NFoW, and Buffalo, are a bit farther. Hunt around on missouricanoe.org for free maps and outfitters. Its warm enough for topwater now...try that first. Fish walking plugs, buzzbaits,  and poppers around 75% of the time in summer. Sometimes have to drag plastic, fish a fluke, or a crank a plug, swim bait, or spinner bait for them.

 

 

[Flysmallie]

I’d hit the James. James River Outfitters in Galena or Hootentown further up.