float trip help

[weezymagic]

ok guys, im going on a float trip with some friends on july 13th to the gasconade river. (http://www.canoemissouri.com/floattrips.html)
i hear its mostly smallie fishing. i wanted to know if anyone had advice on the river in general or just tips for fishing smallies in river. im more used to lm in lakes.

quick specs...
i have one BC with 15# braid (quantum esclade)
i have one spinning with 12#(?) mono (field and stream 30 series)
i have one spinning with 16#(?) mono (crappy quantum with snapbar or some)
my two lines on spinning are getting old so ill probably put some new mono on both since its a good all around line. and depending on money, i might get another BC setup with fluoro or braid with fluoro leader. any suggestions appreciated.

i have never fished the river before and dont know anyone who has unfortunately. and id only like to take one or two setups because my gf is going and will be mad if i only fish all day

[weezymagic]

wow. kinda surprised that i havent gotten any responses yet

[WTL]

I'll give you one if you hang on, lol.

[WTL]

First thing you look for is current. It is like another form of cover. Fish will hide in it, it obstructs visibility and it makes fish much more aggressive.

My lure of choice is often a 4" whitish senko. Most of the time I fish it fast on baitcasting gear with around 10 pound braid. Fish will chase it down in current along drops, current breaks, any cover be it rock or wood. Sometimes if I see a particularly liekly looking spot I will cast to it and deadstick it, waiting for it be be picked up.

Pay attention to how the stream bed is shaped. Little grooves and cuts will be formed in gravel or mud by current, and these serve as real places of attraction. A 1 or 2' groove is similar to a huge dropoff in lake fishing.

[BassinID]

I grew up smallie fishing in rivers. I would definitely say that that you are using too heavy of line. I like 6 to 8 lb flouro. throw t-rigged 4" worms, inline spinners, 3/8 oz jigs, grubs on a jighead, and jerkbaits (hard or soft).

[Crank-Bait-Frank]

It has been 6 years since I've fished at the gasconade river, but I had luck with shallow divers, t-rigged worms, ect. BassinID suggestions are spot on.
That river produces some monster catfish if I remember right, have fun.

[weezymagic]

ok, i can always use a leader on my baitcaster but im thinkin two rods...
baitcaster on a 6'6" with braid and maybe leader for spinners
spinning on a 6'6" with fluoro for t-rigs and jig headed grubs.

im most comfortable with the spinners and decent with t-rigged worms.

any color opinions...if i remember correctly, it is decently clear. so lighter more natural colors?

also, what kind of trailer, if any, on the spinnerbaits

[66KingFisher]

When river/stream fishing from a canoe, I only take one rod(spinning)and a simple tackle box...anything more is just too much to deal with in a canoe....but thats just me....besides, should you turn over you don't want to loose a bunch of tackle.....I'll take one of those little clear plano boxes, that'll hold just a few items....a few small cranks, a couple of jigs or small worms, make sure you got a couple of Beetlespins, and a few inline spinners is about all i'll take other than a stringer and a fillet knife.

Take a little nylon rope with you and tie a nice sized rock to it....use that as a drag along anchor to slow you down or stop you when needed.....works pretty well in shallow rivers and streams.