i have never fished reelfoot but am wanting to try some crappie fishing there this year. have heard it is kinda dangerous to navigate at times, i have a 16 48 tin boat with 45hp motor with console. any tips as to when, where, and how would be appreciated.
Majek Reaper
Flashed SHO
Anderson Services LLC
" Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't"
How Shallow can you Run?
Roddy is dead on the money, stayed at Eagles Nest every year growing up, IDLE everywhere. Absolutely beautiful place, everything looks like there could be a brute hanging out on it.
fished it a few years ago. there are stumps on top of stumps. we stayed at blue bank resort and had purchased a package. everything was included down to the minnows. you had to provide your own food, etc. I'd say late February through mid-April. Blue bank was nice with everything you needed all in one place. As far as where to fish, look for creek channels and fish the bends.
One of the most beautiful places on earth in my opinion, I have stayed at Blue Bank Resort several times when duck hunting. Good place. Like others have said, idle everywhere. There are some locals that open it up a little but I would never do that. Keep some JB Weld in your boat in case you hit something and get a leak. Tin boat is the only way I would go out there. Great fishing, have fun.
We go every year and stay at Bluebank.Get the package and use their boats because you will destroy yours (the prop at least) if you take it.We always go the first of April and have a blast.
Even at idle you may want to prepare youself to buy a prop when you get back. If you get a lake map you can see some of the channels and may save you some trouble. I have been there 5 or 6 times and only hit one stump, but I run a jet motor.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Roddy »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> have one thing to say. IDLE</td></tr></table>
paddle very slow
Recovering burn victim. Please be carefull
not planning on staying overnight, live just a little over an hour away, but have never fished it. looking at it on google earth looks like you could get lost. i have a fishmap map of it, looks like you just to pick an area and fish it. i have a hb 798, would like to use it if it would help any but not if i am going to tear something up.
Mike DeArmon
2012 Ranger Z521
250 Yamaha SHO
Definitely idle. There are a few marked channels, but even they aren't great enough to want to run wide open....unless you're these guys:
The water has been low for the past few years as they have been working on the spillway. I believe it was finished up around Thanksgiving and the levels are back to normal, but haven't been down there lately to confirm. With the low levels, many marinas/areas were high and dry, and you can only imagine the navigation issues
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by cbell58 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">i have never fished reelfoot but am wanting to try some crappie fishing there this year. have heard it is kinda dangerous to navigate at times, i have a 16 48 tin boat with 45hp motor with console. any tips as to when, where, and how would be appreciated.</td></tr></table>
I would spend the money and rent a boat from one of the marinas. It will cost you less in the long run. I think you can rent one for the day for around $60. I have seen guys lose an entire motor once, as well as the cowling a couple of times. If you do take yours, make sure you remove the pin so it can kick up WHEN (not if) you hit a stump. I have had to have another boat (my uncle) ram us from the side to get us off of a stump. And that was in the channel. Cool lake though.
Best time to crappie fish is now until mid April. Deepest part of. Reelfoot is out in front of green island point. That's where they will be until the spawn. If you know the lake you can run all over it WOT. If not stay at idle speed if your not in one of the ditches. If you put in at the ramp near blue bank you can idle to green island area in about 15-20 minutes. Catch all the crappie you want just leave my bass alone.
When i was down there in 2005 i stayed at bluebank . Marina lodge was filled up so i had to stay at the hotel down the road
Got the three day package came with a little old tin boat with like a 10hp , trolling motor mounted in rear of boat .
Second day out , somebody before me must have used the boat cause i had motor problems and had to get towed back to the marina .
There was a young guide there named David that saw this happen and said he would take me out on his boat . He obviously new the lake cause he did cruise around on the lake at a good speed in an Aluminum War Eagle . Very nice boat by the way .
If i remember correctly i went in the first week of May . Boy the air temp was already in the high 70's low 80's down there . I brought sweatshirts . Had to buy t-shirts there .
Modified by Crazy D at 6:45 PM 1/8/2012
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by reelfoothicks »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Best time to crappie fish is now until mid April. Deepest part of. Reelfoot is out in front of green island point. That's where they will be until the spawn. If you know the lake you can run all over it WOT. If not stay at idle speed if your not in one of the ditches. If you put in at the ramp near blue bank you can idle to green island area in about 15-20 minutes. Catch all the crappie you want just leave my bass alone.
Let me know when you are going and I'll get you some current crappie info. My brother crappie fishes every week after duck season ends.
I have thought about going too. Sounds like a great place for some R&R.
Is it pretty easy to catch fish or do you have to spend some hours getting to know the lake like anywhere else?
Thanks
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by reelfoothicks »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Let me know when you are going and I'll get you some current crappie info. My brother crappie fishes every week after duck season ends. </td></tr></table>not sure when i will go, will be a couple months anyway. but i will damn sure and try to remember this post.
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