3 Day Fishing Trip in Missouri Lakes and Rivers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threeday private charter targets bass and catfish across multiple lakesExpert guide provides personalized instruction for up to two guestsAll equipment and tackle included with customized daily fishing plans
Missouri's got some of the best freshwater fishing in the Midwest, and this 3-day private charter with C&H Fishing Outfitters puts you right in the heart of it all. Guide Hollis Crawford knows these waters like the back of his hand – we're talking Truman Lake, Mark Twain Lake, Long Branch Lake, and stretches of the mighty Mississippi River that most anglers only dream about. This isn't your typical day trip where you're rushing to wet a line before heading home. Three full days means you get to really dial in on what's working, adapt to changing conditions, and target multiple species across different water types. Perfect for two anglers who want personalized attention and the kind of fishing stories that last a lifetime.
Each morning starts with Hollis sizing up conditions and putting together a game plan based on what the fish are doing. Maybe we're hitting structure on Truman Lake for some quality largemouth action, or working the deeper channels of Mark Twain for stripers. The beauty of a multi-day trip is flexibility – if the bass aren't cooperating on day one, we've got two more days to adjust tactics and find what's biting. All your gear is covered: rods, reels, tackle, and bait get matched to whatever we're targeting that day. You're not lugging a tackle box around or wondering if you brought the right setup. Hollis has been guiding these waters for years, so he knows which presentations work best for each species and season. The boat's equipped for comfort during those long days, and with just two guests max, you're getting plenty of one-on-one coaching whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or someone who just loves being on the water.
Missouri's diverse waters call for different approaches, and that's where Hollis really shines. On the big reservoirs like Truman and Mark Twain, we might be working deep structure with jigs and plastics for largemouth, then switching to live bait rigs for stripers cruising the thermocline. The Mississippi River sections fish completely different – current breaks, wing dams, and eddies where catfish stack up and smallmouth ambush baitfish. You'll get hands-on with everything from casting accuracy around timber to reading your electronics for suspended fish. Bottom fishing for channels means learning how to feel the bite through current, while bass fishing might have you perfecting that hookset timing on a Texas rig. Each day builds on the last, so by day three you're not just catching fish – you're understanding why they're where they are and how to consistently put them in the boat. The tackle selection changes based on conditions and target species, but expect everything from finesse presentations to heavy cover techniques depending on what Missouri's waters are serving up.
Striped bass are the lake powerhouses that'll test your drag system and make you question your arm strength. These silver bullets can push 20+ pounds in Missouri's big reservoirs and fight like they're twice that size. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding in schools, often busting baitfish on the surface in spectacular displays. What makes them special here is how they use the deep water and structure – Hollis knows exactly where they stage during different seasons and weather patterns.
Smallmouth bass are pound-for-pound some of the scrappiest fighters in freshwater, and Missouri's rivers and rocky lakes grow some beautiful bronze-backed specimens. They love current breaks, rocky points, and areas where crawfish are abundant. Summer fishing can be fantastic when they're shallow and aggressive, but they'll also surprise you by hitting deep presentations in winter. The acrobatic fights and their willingness to absolutely slam a well-presented lure make them a favorite among serious bass anglers.
Channel catfish are Missouri classics that provide consistent action and excellent table fare. These whisker fish can be caught year-round but really turn on during warmer months when they're actively feeding. They'll hit everything from cut bait to prepared baits, and the bigger specimens – we're talking 10-15 pounders – provide surprising fights on medium tackle. What's great about channels is they're often willing biters when other species get finicky, making them perfect backup targets during tough conditions.
American yellow perch might not be the biggest fish in these waters, but they're scrappy little fighters that often travel in schools. When you find them, you can usually catch several, making for fast action that keeps things exciting. They're particularly active during cooler months and provide excellent light-tackle fishing. Their willingness to bite small jigs and live bait makes them great for working on technique and building confidence on the water.
Bluegill round out the mix as reliable panfish that are always fun to catch, especially on light tackle. They're aggressive during the spawn and can be found around structure year-round. While they might not be the primary target on a multi-day trip, they're fantastic when you want consistent action or when teaching someone the basics of reading structure and presentation. Plus, a mess of bluegill makes for some of the best eating you'll find in freshwater.
Three days on Missouri's top fishing waters with a guide who knows every underwater hump, creek channel, and honey hole is the kind of trip that changes how you think about fishing. You're not just getting a guided fishing trip – you're getting a masterclass in reading water, understanding fish behavior, and adapting to conditions from someone who's made a living at it. The personalized attention means you'll pick up techniques and local knowledge that'll make you a better angler long after you head home. With all gear included and a maximum of two guests, this is intimate fishing at its finest. Missouri's waters are calling, and Hollis Crawford is ready to show you why anglers keep coming back to these lakes and rivers year after year. Don't wait – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially for multi-day
Our 21-foot Kenner bay boat is built for serious fishing across Missouri's prime waters. The Mercury Optima 2-stroke engine delivers plenty of power to get you between fishing spots quickly, hitting speeds up to 53 mph when you need to chase the bite. This setup handles everything from the open waters of Truman Lake to the river channels of the Mississippi with confidence. The GPS navigation keeps you on target while the fish finder helps locate those deep bass structures and catfish holes that produce consistent action. With space for two anglers, there's plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without feeling cramped. The boat's design cuts through chop well, so you stay comfortable during those long days targeting largemouth bass, stripers, and whatever else is biting in Missouri's lakes and rivers.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are schooling fish that provide fast action once you locate them. These golden beauties with dark vertical bars typically run 6-10 inches and travel in groups of dozens. Look for them around weed beds, docks, and shallow structure in clear water. They prefer cooler water, so spring and fall offer the best fishing when they move shallow to feed. What makes them popular is the steady bite - where you catch one, you'll usually catch several more. They're also outstanding table fare with sweet, white fillets that many consider the best-tasting freshwater fish. Light tackle makes the fight more enjoyable on these smaller fish. Local secret: small minnows or worms fished just off the bottom near submerged vegetation will often trigger feeding frenzies.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and family-friendly fishing. These colorful panfish average 6-8 inches with deep, compressed bodies that make them surprisingly strong fighters. They school up in shallow bays, around docks, and near spawning beds in spring. You'll find them in quiet coves with vegetation where they feed on insects and small baitfish. Spring through early summer offers the best action during their spawning period. Guests love them because they're aggressive, easy to catch, and kids especially enjoy the steady bite. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. These fish aren't picky - they'll hit everything from worms to small jigs. My favorite setup is a small bobber with a cricket or worm fished around shallow cover during dawn or dusk.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats are Missouri's most reliable fish - they're always hungry and put up a solid fight. These whiskered bottom-dwellers average 2-5 pounds but can push 20+ in our big waters. They love structure like fallen trees, rock piles, and creek channels where they hunt using their incredible sense of smell. You'll find them in lakes, rivers, and ponds throughout the state. Summer nights are prime time, but they bite year-round. What guests appreciate is their consistent action and excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Their slippery skin and sharp fins keep things interesting when landing them. Pro tip: fresh cut shad or chicken livers on the bottom near structure during low-light periods will usually produce steady action.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are the scrappiest fighters pound-for-pound in our Missouri waters. These bronze-backed beauties average 12-16 inches but fight like fish twice their size with aerial jumps and bulldogging runs. You'll find them around rocky structure, bluff walls, and gravel bottoms in clear water. They love current breaks along the Mississippi River and rocky points on our lakes. Spring and fall fishing is outstanding when water temps hit that 60-70 degree sweet spot. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and willingness to hit topwater lures. They're also tasty on the table with sweet, firm meat. Here's a local trick: during summer heat, target them deep along bluff walls using tube jigs - they stack up in the shade.
Morone SaxatilisStripers in Missouri's lakes are landlocked descendants of the original coastal fish, and they've adapted beautifully to our freshwater systems. These silver fish with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds here, though some monsters push 50+. They're structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, points, and submerged timber in deeper water. Spring and fall are prime times when they're actively feeding and easier to locate. What guests love most is the raw power - these fish make serious runs and test your drag system. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat. My go-to technique is trolling large shad-pattern lures near creek channels early morning, especially when you see baitfish activity on the surface.
Missouri