2 Day Missouri Lakes Bass & Catfish Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twoday guided fishing trip targeting bass, catfish, and troutExpert instruction with quality tackle provided for skill improvementPrivate experience accommodates up to two guests maximum
Looking to level up your fishing game on some of Missouri's best waters? This two-day guided trip with C&H Fishing Outfitters puts you right where the action is, targeting bass, catfish, trout, and panfish across productive lake systems. Whether you're just getting your feet wet or you've been casting for years, our expert guides tailor the instruction to match your skill level. You'll spend quality time on the water learning proper technique, understanding bait selection, and improving your casting accuracy. With all the gear provided and hands-on coaching throughout, this trip is designed for anglers who want to fish smarter, not just harder.
Your two days start early when you meet your guide at the launch. We're talking about hitting multiple lake systems known for holding quality fish year-round. The beauty of this multi-day format is that you're not rushed - there's time to really dial in your approach and try different techniques. Your guide will assess your current skill level and customize the instruction accordingly. Maybe you need work on reading structure, or perhaps it's time to master that Carolina rig setup. The lakes we fish offer diverse habitat - from shallow flats loaded with bluegill to deeper channels where the big catfish cruise. You'll learn to read the water, understand seasonal patterns, and pick up tricks that'll serve you well long after the trip ends. Each day builds on the last, so by day two you're putting together everything you've learned and seeing real improvement in your catch rate.
We provide quality rods, reels, and a full tackle selection, but the real value is learning when and how to use each setup. For bass, you'll work with both spinning and baitcasting gear, learning proper presentations for soft plastics, crankbaits, and topwater lures. The guide will show you how to work a jig through cover and explain why certain colors produce in different conditions. Catfish tactics are a whole different game - we'll set you up with proper bottom rigs, teach circle hook techniques, and share the best baits for Missouri waters. Whether it's cut shad, nightcrawlers, or prepared baits, you'll learn what works and why. Trout fishing requires a more finesse approach, and we'll cover everything from ultralight spinning setups to proper presentation of small jigs and live bait. The coaching is hands-on throughout - your guide will watch your casting form, help you feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact, and teach you how to play fish properly once they're hooked.
Striped bass are the heavyweight champions of these Missouri lakes, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These fish fight hard and can easily reach 15-20 pounds, with some monsters pushing 30 pounds or more. Spring and fall are prime times when they school up and feed aggressively, but summer fishing can be productive if you know where to find the deeper schools. Stripers are exciting because they hit fast and run hard - perfect for testing your drag settings and fighting technique.
Smallmouth bass are pound-for-pound some of the scrappiest fish you'll encounter. Missouri's clear lakes produce quality smallies that love rocky structure and drop-offs. These bronze fighters typically run 2-4 pounds but don't let the size fool you - they'll jump, dive, and test every knot. Fall fishing is phenomenal when they're fattening up for winter, but they bite consistently through the warmer months if you present baits near their preferred rocky habitat.
Channel catfish are the workhorses of Missouri fishing, and learning to target them effectively opens up year-round fishing opportunities. These whiskered fighters can reach impressive sizes - 5 to 15 pounders are common, with some real slabs pushing 20 pounds or better. They're most active during warmer months and bite best in low-light conditions. What makes catfish special is their willingness to bite when other species shut down, plus they're excellent table fare.
American yellow perch might be smaller than the other target species, but they make up for size with numbers and taste. These schooling fish are perfect for practicing your jigging technique and understanding how fish relate to structure. Peak fishing happens in cooler months when they school tightly. Once you locate a school, you can often catch dozens, making them ideal for building confidence and honing your fish-handling skills.
Bluegill are the perfect species for mastering finesse techniques and understanding fish behavior. These colorful panfish are abundant in Missouri lakes and provide consistent action when larger species are finicky. Spring spawning season offers incredible sight-fishing opportunities in shallow water, while summer fishing focuses on deeper structure. They're also fantastic for learning proper hook-setting timing since they can be light biters.
This two-day trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want - quality instruction, productive waters, and enough time to really improve your skills. You're not just paying for a guide service; you're investing in becoming a better angler. The combination of multiple species, varied techniques, and expert coaching creates a learning experience that pays dividends every time you hit the water. With a maximum of two anglers, you get personalized attention that's impossible on larger trips. Missouri's lakes are fishing well right now, and this top-rated guide service knows exactly where to put you on fish. Don't wait - spots fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. Book your two-day guided experience today and discover why C&H Fishing Outfitters has become the go-to choice for anglers serious about improving their game.
Your fishing platform for this Missouri lakes adventure is a speedy 21-foot Kenner bay boat that'll get you to the hotspots fast. Powered by a Mercury Optima 2-stroke, this rig cruises at up to 53 mph, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The onboard GPS keeps you on course between productive bass structure and catfish holes, while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom contours where trout like to hang. Built for serious angling, this boat handles Missouri's varied lake conditions with ease. Whether you're working shallow coves for largemouth or drifting deeper channels for cats, the stable platform gives you room to cast and fight fish comfortably. Perfect setup for two anglers to learn new techniques and target multiple species across different lake zones during your guided trip.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are smaller fish, usually 7-8 inches, but they make up for size with numbers and taste. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes school up in massive groups around vegetation, docks, and weed beds in shallow to medium depths. Spring brings them shallow for spawning, making them easy targets for light tackle fun. What guests enjoy is the steady action - where you catch one, you'll likely catch twenty. They're also some of the sweetest eating fish in Missouri waters. Ultralight gear with 2-4 lb line makes every fish feel bigger. They're perfect for kids or anyone wanting consistent bites. Pro tip: find one school and work it thoroughly with small jigs or live minnows - perch rarely travel alone, so keep fishing that same spot.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are the perfect starter fish, averaging 8 inches but packing surprising fight for their size. These colorful panfish love shallow, weedy areas around docks, fallen trees, and spawning beds where they feel safe. Spring through early summer is prime time, especially during their spawning runs when males get bright orange bellies and become aggressive. What makes them special is their willingness to bite almost anything and their scrappy nature on light tackle. They're also fantastic eating - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Perfect for teaching kids since they're not picky eaters. My simple trick: use a small hook with a piece of worm under a bobber near any cover. When the bobber goes down, you've got dinner. They school up, so stay put once you find them.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel catfish are Missouri's most reliable fighters, commonly running 5-15 pounds with some real bruisers hitting 30-plus. They cruise muddy bottoms and hold around structure like fallen trees, bridge pilings, and deep holes during the day. Best fishing happens at dusk and dawn when they're actively feeding, though they'll bite year-round. What makes them fun is their steady, powerful fight and the fact they're not picky eaters. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish around - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They use taste buds all over their body to find food, so scent matters. My go-to trick: punch holes in a can of dog food, tie it near your bait, and let that scent trail work its magic. Works every time.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass average 18-20 inches in Missouri waters, but their fight feels twice their size. These bronze-backed scrappy fish love rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and clear water where they can ambush crayfish and minnows. Spring and fall are prime time when they're active in shallower water, though summer finds them deeper where it's cooler. What guests love most is the fight - pound for pound, nothing beats a smallmouth's aerial show and stubborn runs. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild fillets. Early morning and late evening produce the best action. Here's a local trick: when they're deep in summer, try a tube jig on a 3/8 oz weight and let it fall right down those rocky ledges - that's where the big ones hide.
Morone SaxatilisMissouri's striped bass are landlocked beauties that typically run 20-40 pounds, though some push past 50. These silver fighters with their signature dark stripes love structure - rocky points, submerged trees, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. You'll find them in deeper water during summer heat, but they move shallow in spring and fall when water temps hit that sweet spot between 55-68°F. What makes them special? Pure power. When a striper hits, you know it - they'll strip line and test your drag like few freshwater fish can. The meat's excellent too, firm and sweet. My tip: watch for diving birds or surface action - that's your cue to get a live shad or big swimbait in there fast.
Missouri