Thread: Reelfoot?

Bring your boat. Keep motor trimmed up and take your time drive slow you will be just fine

Bluebank is a nice place. I second bringing your own boat. It's been awhile but I've used both a regular bass boat and a 50 year old plywood boat(Astroglass) on Reelfoot. I just put in close to where I wanted to fish and idled on out there.

Yes, Blue Bank is a great place. Personally I'd be worried about using my own boat. I'm sure idling wherever you want to go wouldn't be much of a problem, but from my experience it's not a matter of IF you're going to hit a stump, but WHEN. Blue Bank offers very reasonable fishing packages that include "Lodging, Boat, Motor, Bait, Gas, & Ice." Fishing Packages | blue-bank-resort As anywhere new, I think you would be wise to hire a guide for at least one day just to get an education on where and how you might want to concentrate your own efforts. I will say this... the times I have crappie fished there I've usually been thinking, "I would be catching a lot more crappie at home than I am here right now." That said, I believe EVERYONE should experience the unique and amazing Reelfoot Lake at least once in your life! Here is an article about my first-ever crappie fishing trip there 17 years ago: Spider-Rigging on Reelfoot - Chattanoogan.com

Been there. I took everyone's advise and rented a boat. Glad I did. As others has said. Its not if you hit a stump, its when. And you will. I have a ranger bass boat and I will not take it. Blue Bank is where I stayed. Nice people and awesome food. Good location. Couldn't find a better place to stay. If you do take your boat, IDLE. IDLE speed only. Motor trimmed up as much as possible. Its not a huge lake. You can idle around and get anywhere you need to catch fish.. They will show you on a map the areas to go.

Originally Posted by rsimms

Yes, Blue Bank is a great place. Personally I'd be worried about using my own boat. I'm sure idling wherever you want to go wouldn't be much of a problem, but from my experience it's not a matter of IF you're going to hit a stump, but WHEN. Blue Bank offers very reasonable fishing packages that include "Lodging, Boat, Motor, Bait, Gas, & Ice." Fishing Packages | blue-bank-resort As anywhere new, I think you would be wise to hire a guide for at least one day just to get an education on where and how you might want to concentrate your own efforts. I will say this... the times I have crappie fished there I've usually been thinking, "I would be catching a lot more crappie at home than I am here right now." That said, I believe EVERYONE should experience the unique and amazing Reelfoot Lake at least once in your life! Here is an article about my first-ever crappie fishing trip there 17 years ago: Spider-Rigging on Reelfoot - Chattanoogan.com

Thanks for all the info, Is the wood in Reelfoot anything like Lake Talquin in the Tallahassee? I've fished there a few times and know it like Reelfoot was flooded without removing any timber, its common to hit a tree stump in 30fow. My Tracker is set up for pretty much any type of Crappie fishing and I favor pushing 14ft poles. If I take it I will idle and watch the electronics. I understand reasons for hiring a guide, but we would only be fishing 2 days. Obtw good Magazine!

If you have your tracker set up already for crappie fishing you will be flat out miserable when you get in that rental boat. You will be limited on what you can do, mainly you can drift fish or anchor and fish. Its spring the water levels will be at pool or above pool. Take your boat and just creep you will be fine.

Originally Posted by Tom 513

Thanks for all the info, Is the wood in Reelfoot anything like Lake Talquin in the Tallahassee? I've fished there a few times and know it like Reelfoot was flooded without removing any timber, its common to hit a tree stump in 30fow. My Tracker is set up for pretty much any type of Crappie fishing and I favor pushing 14ft poles. If I take it I will idle and watch the electronics. I understand reasons for hiring a guide, but we would only be fishing 2 days. Obtw good Magazine!

Yea, if you are set up for "pushing," you will be right at home on Reelfoot. Truth is you can just drop the trolling motor at Blue Bank and start fishing without ever cranking the big motor (if you want). If you go to Blue Bank, tell the owner, Mike Hayes, Richard Simms sent you.

That aluminum boat is fine as others have said. Just take your time and idle. Be versatile in your techniques.