ozarks smallmouth trip

[countryboy65]

I was thinking of taking a four day float trip somewhere in the ozarks for smallmouth and what ever else.  Any suggestions on rivers and or lures and techniques?  It would probably be in June. 

[Drew03cmc]

4 days? Maybe the upper Meramec or the Jacks Fork from the Prongs down. How about doing 2 2 day floats, way easier to plan for, but even if you're set on 4, there's 30 different floats you could do. If you figure 8 miles a day, run the Big Piney down to the Gasconade. Float most of the lower Big River or even the James River. Perhaps from upper Big Sugar down to Grand Lake on the Elk even. Have fun with it.

[paleus]

The Buffalo is a good option, lots of outfitters to help with shuttling you around. There's also Crooked Creek which I've heard is an excellent smallmouth stream, but I've never fished it. I hope to this year.

The Buffalo can be crowded with people on the weekends but is pretty quiet during the week.

The Ned Rig always produces for me on the Buffalo. ZMan TRD in Green Pumpkin/White combo is my favorite color. Inline spinners also work well.

[SDoolittle]

I don't know about a four day trip, but the Current River was a pretty popular place to float and fish for smallmouths when I lived in SE Missouri. Should be close to home for you.

[countryboy65]

I like the sound of the big piney to the gasconade, I've fished the big piney before and always wanted to fish the Gasconade.  About where would you put in for that?

[FryDog62]

Just curious what the average size (and top end size) smallmouth are in the rivers around the Ozarks?   My only frame of reference are the rivers in Minnesota.  With our short seasons here, have thought about doing a trip down your way...

[Bluebasser86]

13 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Just curious what the average size (and top end size) smallmouth are in the rivers around the Ozarks?   My only frame of reference are the rivers in Minnesota.  With our short seasons here, have thought about doing a trip down your way...

Average runs about 8-13 inches (maybe up to 15 depending on the river). Top end size for most is 19-20 inches, anything over that is a mythical creature. A couple of the bigger rivers do kick out some fish over 5 on occasion though, but they're much tougher fishing and slower moving rivers.