How big of boat for reelfoot?

**CrappieKillerJigs** · 12-02-2009, 01:00 PM

another story about reelfoot...
came down this spring on march 27-29...right after the big ice storm...got on the water friday and did pretty good besides cracking my prop...changed my prop out that night at sportsmen north...put back in sat. morning and headed down to buck basin wind started blowing 30-40 mph so we hit the ditch to come back up to camp...got out of the ditch up by grays and looked over to our right by the cut thru and there is a rental boat almost sunk and two guys doing all they can to bail the water...the clutch in the motor was slipping and they didnt have nuff power to power on the camp so we helped the bail the water and pulled them back...it wasnt a fun ride and that was in my 24ft polar kraft running a 90 e-tec...after that and the other storys i hear about sportsmens i wont stay nor tell anyone to stay there due to the crap they send you out in...i wouldnt feel safe in it on that lake...i always say if you dont feel safe then dont do it...so i would make sure you find somwhere that has good stuff before i would go renting a boat

**dogsluvtrux** · 12-02-2009, 08:06 PM

I've always had good luck with the boat's at Bo's landing (we always stay at boyette's).

There is on time I just about got in trouble though, coming back across the lake from Swan Pocket(?) to Bo's and the weather came in faster than I was used too, I was the only one in the boat, the other two guys I was with were in another boat. They got by ok with someone in the bow of the boat, I on the other hand caught a wave wrong it it sure as heck seemed like the bow came up over 45 degrees...poor little 6hp couldn't power out of it. Scared the heck outta me!

Turned and went south with the wind and then made my way around the bank back to Bo's. Took an extra half hour to get back, at least I had the keys...went back to the cabin and fished out of my cooler...must of caught at least six and every one of the weighed 12 oz...sorry no pics to post.

**talltimber** · 12-02-2009, 08:58 PM

One thing about RF that is different than some other lakes is that if you stay til it's almost bad, you've stayed too long. Too many stumps to outrun it to the ramp, at least for me. I don't know where I can run and where I can't on the south end yet. You don't need to be down in a trough and hang a stump, could be bad.

**Fugsy** · 04-04-2013, 06:27 PM

Rushcreekoutdoor has some of the best advice about fishing reelfoot on this site I have ever read.

**Tennessee Trey** · 04-04-2013, 06:59 PM

I fish the Foot every week year round in a 14ft john with a 1975 Evinrude 9.9.
I have had a few moments that had me a bit nervous but have faith in my boat and enough common sense to stay off the lake when it is bad.
It does help that I have run all kinds of boats from Jons to Off shore boats in Fl and have a lot of repect for mother nature.
It's really a great size boat for a single fisherman. I can get to places none of the big boats can. and run all day on a gallon of fuel.
That said I would really like a larger boat for when I have family and friends that want to wet a line. Say a 16ft with a 40hp.

**rushcreekoutdoor** · 04-05-2013, 07:48 AM

Thanks Fugsy. I always felt it was important to really try to help people when they ask. I have some friends who gave freely of their time and knowledge to help me get started, and they still do! I have not been able to fish much in the last two years and it was interesting seeing this old thread. Good luck, happy fishing and may God Bless you.

**duckhunter3635** · 04-05-2013, 04:55 PM

I have hunted ducks and fished the lake for 25 years. I have done both in a 14' jon boat. I think about the best size is a 1756 up to a 2072. I like the small boat for just me and one. But, I really like fishing out of my Phowler 1966. I have a ProDrive mud motor so the stumps are not near as intimedating.

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