I am thinking of taking my Sea Eagle to some Ozark streams this fall. What are my best bets for a nice smallmouth bass fishing trip? In addition to location how on earth do I get my car from the launch point down to where I will take my kayak out of the water? I've never done anything like this before so any tips or info on logistics is appreciated. 

I enjoy the Elk, but it gets pretty low and require quite a bit of dragging in a canoe, which I don't mind because I like to get out and fish anyways. It has tons of smallmouth with some pretty nice ones mixed in, a decent largemouth population with some big ones mixed in, quite a few goggleye, and a mix of several other species in smaller numbers. Tons of suckers everywhere, but I've never tried fishing for them. 

The James river has been really good to me.I fish it alot by the Springfield area.Holds all three Smallies,Spots ,and Largemouth.Spinnerbait bite is on right now.

Check out the Ozark Anglers forums

Everything that I read states that the Gasconade is the best river in Missouri for trophy smallmouth.  It also has great numbers.  It has almost 300 miles of water so you will want to read up on it before you choose your spot.  The special management area in Phelps and Pulaski counties is where I would probably put in.  It is quite a drive from KC though.

You'll need to find an outfitter to shuttle you if you are going to be by yourself.  If you are wanting to go in the fall a lot of outfitters aren't in operation during that time so finding one to shuttle you to a put in or drive your car to the take out can be difficult.

Current River in South/Central

 

i travel by motor home with my fishing buddies. we are looking to come to Missouri in te fall.

we would like to find any stream or river where we can float and wade fish. what is on the priority list is a place to park the motor home. either a state park or rv park that is close to the fishing.

any suggestions?

thanks

Mike Kearney

New Orleans, Louisiana

White River below Bull Shoals Dam. The park is on the river.

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/bull-shoals-white-river-state-park

 

You can catch trout from the bank or wading. If you want to catch bass, you

will need a boat for the lake. My best advice to  hire my guide, Tim "hotdawg"

Curtis.

https://www.hotdawgguideservice.com/

Pull up the Missouri Conservation website.  You can do a search on smallmouth and pull up all of the streams and small rivers in southern Mo. where the smallies are concentrated.

I've been fishing the Big Piney river on occasion for smallies and really like it. The area from the Slabtown bridge access to Ross access is a smallmouth conservation area with tight regulations on what fish you can keep... think it is something like only 1 and it has to be at least 15 or 17 inches... something like that. Quick search on google maps shows that there might be a couple campgrounds where you could possibly park your rv surrounding the slabtown bridge access, but as I have never been to these campgrounds personally, can't say. 

 

I bring up the Big Piney because I'm not exactly a smallmouth expert but it seems like they are everywhere on that river. I haven't been skunked fishing it. It also offers opportunity for great size smallmouth. Some areas near springs hold trout also.

On 9/4/2022 at 4:47 PM, Gutierrez said:

I've been fishing the Big Piney river on occasion for smallies and really like it. The area from the Slabtown bridge access to Ross access is a smallmouth conservation area with tight regulations on what fish you can keep... think it is something like only 1 and it has to be at least 15 or 17 inches... something like that. Quick search on google maps shows that there might be a couple campgrounds where you could possibly park your rv surrounding the slabtown bridge access, but as I have never been to these campgrounds personally, can't say. 

 

I bring up the Big Piney because I'm not exactly a smallmouth expert but it seems like they are everywhere on that river. I haven't been skunked fishing it. It also offers opportunity for great size smallmouth. Some areas near springs hold trout also.

Great to hear! Just found this forum tonight and created an account.

I’m putting in on the big piney courtesy of boiling spring campground and they’re gonna shuttle my yak and I up, and then I’ll finish on the Gasconade about a half mile or so down from the confluence. Bringing tubes, Ned rigs, and plastic craws. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated!