MISSOURI ANGLERS

[cart7t]

I'm the new guy here, and am always ready to throw some lines. During the weeks are best for me.

I live in St. Louis, and thus, must deal with Busch Wildlife. It's got more pressure than Kevin Federline looking at an EPT stick.

I plan on hitting Lake of the Ozarks sometime - have never fished it - does anyone know if you can rent boats there?

Also, what river waters arouns STL are the easiest to access from the shores - and still provide decent fishing?

You can rent boats from most resorts down at LOZ.  DO NOT plan on fishing from a rental boat on the weekends not even this time of year.  There is serious large boat traffic down there from around April - Oct anymore that really gets that lake rocking in a serious way.  

As for bank fishing,  The Big River down in Jefferson county has many access points to bank fish from.  There are several low water damns that have blown out over the years and each one has access to reach above and below the d**n for fishing.  You can also rent canoes if you'd like to try your hand at floating.

The Big has a trophy section for Smallmouth bass on it's upper reaches.  You can also catch skads of Kentucky bass on that river and keep them.  They're somewhat a nuisance fish on the lower sections and the conservation dept. encourages you to keep them.   Very good fishing BTW.

[MoBassFishN]

St. Louis, south county area. I haven't been able to do much fishing in the last 10 years, but hope to make up for it in the near future. Name is Gary.

[405z06]

The Big has a trophy section for Smallmouth bass on it's upper reaches.  You can also catch skads of Kentucky bass on that river and keep them.  They're somewhat a nuisance fish on the lower sections and the conservation dept. encourages you to keep them.   Very good fishing BTW.

Cart7 - could you give specifics about the whereabouts of a good area for spots? I'd love to take my ulta-lite and catch a mess of those fightin' SOB's.

[Bassbum80]

Sorry...I'm not from MO but I thought this would be a perfect place to ask that if anyone has any good info on Mark Twain I would appreciate it.  We are going there in about 10 days.  We have never been there so any help is great (from fishing tips & campgrounds to places to go get a beer!)

All help is much appreciated!

Thanks

[cart7t]

The Big has a trophy section for Smallmouth bass on it's upper reaches.  You can also catch skads of Kentucky bass on that river and keep them.  They're somewhat a nuisance fish on the lower sections and the conservation dept. encourages you to keep them.   Very good fishing BTW.

Cart7 - could you give specifics about the whereabouts of a good area for spots? I'd love to take my ulta-lite and catch a mess of those fightin' SOB's.

There is bank fishing above and below the low water dams at House Springs, Cedar Hill and Byrnes Mill.  The trophy smallmouth area runs from St. Genevieve county into Jefferson county.  I'm not sure there are many bank fishing spots in that stretch but you should be able to find some canoe liveries if you're intested in floating it.  I fished the Big around Parkhills down a few miles, caught some nice smallmouth and that was before the 18" trophy sections were announced.  Go to the Missouri conservation Dept website to get more info.  

or

the best idea is to call Fords bait and tackle at  636-285-2564 in Cedar Hill. He's located right on the banks of the Big in CH at the low water dam. He could fill you in on the best bank fishing spots and probably hook you up with a canoe for a float through the trophy SMB section.

[darren]

I'm in Wentzville, MO about 2 and a half hours from Sedalia, MO where my uncle lives and is in the air force stationed at Whiteman afb...  We fished at truman lake last weekend but unfortunately it was colder than a witches titty and we only caught 6 smaaaaaaaaaalllll ones......darren

[scl]

BB80

Just came back from Twain on Wednesday.  Fished for 4 days all over, threw everything in the boat at them.  2 fish, a white bass and a 12" LM.  Gorgeous water, great cover and structure, temps from 55-66 degrees.  Just no dang fish.  Best looking spot was up by Middle Fork.  Hope you have better luck

Scott >

[Bassbum80]

BB80

Just came back from Twain on Wednesday. Fished for 4 days all over, threw everything in the boat at them. 2 fish, a white bass and a 12" LM. Gorgeous water, great cover and structure, temps from 55-66 degrees. Just no dang fish. Best looking spot was up by Middle Fork. Hope you have better luck

Scott >

Ouch...that's really discouraging!  Was the water or air temps 55-66? Maybe we will have to change our plan and fish a different lake. I have read a lot of reports that said the fishing was slow but the reports had the lake temp around 45-50. I thought after a week or so of 80's the fishing might turn on with a little warmer water. I guess not. I really appreciate the info...this could impact our whole week.

RJ

[scl]

No that was water temp.  Air temp was 70-80 during days.  Weather fairly stable.  Bluebird skies on days 1 and 2.  Caught a fish on each day  Day three, ovrcast, falling barometer, storms forecast and a little rain during the day.  Fished best water that day without hit. that was 65 degree water at the west end of the lake.

Don't know where you're coming from but guys are saying Truman's the better bet.  Would have been another 4 hours for me.

Any ither info you need let me know, but I don't have much to offer.   :-[

[Bassbum80]

Yeah I am comming from Chicago.  This started as a weekend trip then stretched slowly into a 4+ day trip b/c we cannot find any good lakes within a 3 hr drive.  We really can't stretch the drive much farther.  We thought Twain would be good but Truman & Table Rock & Bull Shoals are too far for us.  We've definately got a problem on our hands.  I appreciate the info though...that helps us a lot in this decision!

[cart7t]

I'd still suggest Lake of the Ozarks.  It's only an extra hour or 2 past MT and the fishing potential would be so much better.  I'm leaving for the lake tomorrow and staying down till Sunday.  The crappie bite is also hot right now as the fish are on the beds.  

[srv1990]

Yeah I am comming from Chicago. This started as a weekend trip then stretched slowly into a 4+ day trip b/c we cannot find any good lakes within a 3 hr drive. We really can't stretch the drive much farther. We thought Twain would be good but Truman & Table Rock & Bull Shoals are too far for us. We've definately got a problem on our hands. I appreciate the info though...that helps us a lot in this decision!

Hey BB80,

I've only fished Mark Twain once and that was in the dead of summer a couple years ago and I didn't do too well.  However here's a link to a MT fishing report that will help.  The latest report (4/16) indicates very good fishing for both bass and crappie.  Your timing appears to be great.  Check it out:

http://www.midwestbasstournaments.com/mtwainreports.htm

...and good luck!  Be sure to let us know how you did.

[Bassbum80]

SRV...we just saw that report yesterday & it's about the only thing that saved us from not going there.  I'm still not that confident in that lake but that's where we decided to go. Yeah...if we are in fact still going, I am happier to see that report than the ones before.  Hopefully the timing is in our favor!  Thanks for the help!

[bassinandrew88]

im in lee's summit, MO...suburb of KC, are there any western MO fisherman on here?

[senile1]

Hey, BassinAndrew.  I live in the Park Hill area about 8 miles south of KCI airport.  I fish mostly at Smithville and Truman.  Do you know anything about the fishing at Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake?  

Ed

[Fatman1267MM]

I'm in Liberty, fish alot of farm ponds in Lawson, Excelsior Springs and areas north

[senile1]

Welcome to the forum, Fatman.  I haven't been posting too long either.  I'd love to get hooked up on some farm ponds.  Are these owned by people you know or did you just drive around and ask farmers for permission?

[Fat Rap]

Mmm... farm ponds.

I'd love to tackle one of those legendary lunker-lairs.

[Fatman1267MM]

We own a couple, and have several friends places we can fish.

We also go to northern Arkansas and fish the White River and Crooked Creek also.  I'm not really new to the forum, I've been reading for several months

[senile1]

Oh, I guess I should have said "Welcome to posting."  I've been reading this site for almost a year but I didn't start posting until recently so I assume I'm new to the forum even though I've read it alot.  

[lunker_D]

Hello All,

 New to the Forum, looking forward to learnng something new from the many who participate on here.

 I'm in the Columbia area which affords me a 2.5 hour drive to most of the good fishing this state has to offer.

 Anyone happen to fish with micro tackle? Just curious. happy fishing.

[Ikaika]

I am in St. Louis....Clayton to be exact.

Dude I live in Clayton too, about 100 feet away from Bally's...where are you at?

[beastieboy]

Im in Florissant Missouri (North county area of St.louis) . Not too many good spots up here..I usually fish Lake Of Ozarks. Parents live up on the four mile marker.

<---------Pic of 5.8 lbs. bass caught at Beaver Dam Lake over in IL.

[roadwarrior]

lunker_D,

Welcome aboard!

[dink]

Beastie,

Are they (IDNR) still spraying the weeds every year on Beaver Dam Lake?