Thread: Lake Monroe Guide Service

There is a guide service that puts out info about fishing on Monroe. I see huge fish being caught almost every day by these folks that are using this guide service. I want to believe this guy, but I'm finding it hard to.

What do you guys think? Is there someone that can catch large crappies, catfish, and walleyes in Monroe almost every doggone day??

I have fished all my life (I am 69), and it appears to me that catching any crappies of any size in Monroe requires a scientist. Personally I think fishing at Monroe stinks. I don't have enought time left to become a fishery scientist.

We fished it last Saturday.Probably caught at least 150 crappie ..1 keeper.

Same here! been to Monroe several times and caught alot of fish, but all were little! Ive had good luck at Raccoon.

It just takes time and a system to caught good fish at monroe. Not all fish are going to be big but I have caught some dandys there. One of my favorite places to fish for crappies ,walleyes ,wipers, catfish. Ps. I have a place over by harden ridge

It takes a lot of work and lots of fishing to learn the locations and patterns of fish...which change every week. Monroe at 10,000 acres intimidates me. I have been successful there this spring, but many times come home with my tail tucked between my legs. I think if you are just going after that trophy crappie for the wall... Monroe might be your place. If you are more interested in putting filets in the freezer, then go to places like cataract (if they ever get the water down ha ha) or Hardy for example.

I think Bass fishermen actually catch more big crappie by accident at Monroe than the crappie fishermen. Maybe it is the big bait gets big fish thing, I don't know. Crappies have huge mouths. I did notice the guides seem to use 3 inch grubs a lot... as say opposed to the 1.5 or 2 inch ones I might be more inclined to use.

I am on the mailing service of the guides and find their reports helpful...especially on timing and general area of the lake. They usually show a person holding 2 or 3 of the largest fish. I have to see pictures. Words don't get me too excited. Fishermen never stretch it. Anyway, you may want to schedule the guide and see for yourself.

I do know they were supposed to do a crappie show with Midwest Crappie ( Russ Baily ) sometime in late Apr at Monroe. I wondered how that turned out. We had some pretty up and down weather.


HHD

oh... regarding catfish... not unusual to pick up one or 2 while crappie fishing at monroe... although I use jig an bee moth mostly. I had ahold of 4 cats today on my 12 ft crappie rods with 4 lb test line. One of them I couldn't turn and before I could get my spool loosened up to let it run, it snapped my line. I did manage to get this 22 incher in on my crappie line. Took me about 15-20 mins to land it on that light line. The other 2 were throwbacks. Most interesting part of my day was trying to land that fish. Otherwise , after a hard day of fishing at Monroe I had this cat and 3 crappie that were 10, 10, and 11. Not much to show for putting in a full day. Definately came home today with tail tucked.

HHD

Monroe is a huge place to fish. One thing I think helps is to stay mobile. In the past I have had days where you will catch dinks all day then hit the honey hole and boat several fish 13-16 inches. Had the best day of my life there after me and a buddy hit a school of fish 13.5"-16.5" had 39 fish total that came off of 2 spots about 100 yards from each other. Don't be afraid to head way up into deep creek arms and test all the structure you can find. I agree with the bigger bait theory too. Small crank baits, spinners and 3" grubs.

Good luck all

Monroe or the "DEAD SEA" as we call it here is a tough lake for sure. I have been an avid Bass fisherman for years and found Monroe to be the hardest to produce weight out of. I have now turned to Crappie fishing and I too am trying to figure this lake out. I'm on the lake 2-3 times a week. I have managed to pull hundreds of "dinks" out so far. I seem to average 1 nice slab per trip. I know for a fact that the slabs are in this lake. I'm dead set on figuring out when and where they roam. I can believe that a guide can take you out and put some nice fish in the boat most of the time on Monroe. Locals here have sunk enough brush all over this lake to do just that. But I believe you need to take into perspective the amount of water that will hold fish on Monroe. 1/2 the lake is pretty shallow with deep creeks running all through it. So carefully placed brush piles are bound to produce. Over time I hope to have my GPS full of waypoints that will produce fish. Bottom line for me is the thrill of the hunt for slabs on Monroe.

Well i somehow cannot complain. This is my first year fishing Monroe for crappie. And ive got to say i have caught more and better crappie at Monroe this year than i have when i take my yearly trip to Reelfoot Lake, and everybody knows Reelfoot is a great crappie lake. I listen to J and R guide service and their reports, and a few others i have met on here and ill tell you, i have fished every weekend from the first weekend in March till now at Monroe, and Monroe only and i have been giving the fillets away to friends. I have learned that bigger bait, bigger fish. When its hot and sunny find creek channels with brush or standing timber in it. When its cloudy fish are going to scatter makes them a little harder to locate but they are there. Try casting bigger ( 3 inch ) grubs and tubes. Monroe has monsters in it thats for sure. I have caught several 2 and a half pounders this year and lost a 3 pounder at the boat. ( honest to god truth ) I use black and chartruese tubes, under a float either 1/8 or 1/16 ounce. And i also use a black and white. And i cant complain. Im a Monroe a holic now thanks to J and R guide service and and some random others.