Reel Foot Gills

[Fugsy]

Would Reelfoot be a good choice to catch a few BIG bluegills to put on the wall or would another mid south lake be better. Thanks

[T.C.]

I wouldnt go there..........there is a guy on here that guides on some private ponds in TN that would prob put you on better numbers and larger Gills.......

[tnpondmanager]

Much thanks, Young Gun! I fished Reelfoot a couple times years ago, and while the bluegill there are definitely bigger than at the average public lake, I have half a dozen ponds that stomp Reelfoot.

Here are a few that were caught last year from ponds I guide on:

[IMG] 10-7-8-july-26t [/IMG]
[IMG] by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] bluegill oct 1 by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] BBGfri by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] fifth-fish-#2-july-26 by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] bluegill june 5 by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] bluegill 3 june 5 by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] big hybrid april 7 by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] hybrid-on-ruler-oct-4 by tnpondmanager, on Flickr[/IMG]

I don't allow pure-strain bluegill over 9" to be kept, but I would allow a big hybrid bluegill to be kept, and if you wanted to make a replica of a pure-strain I know the best bluegill taxidermist in the country and he specializes in replicas. Give me a shout.

[Cricketcage]

Reelfoot has bigger than average size and plenty of them. I haven't really seen any over 1lb. although I'm sure there must be plenty in there. But a cooler full of 1/2 - 3/4 pounders is easy to come by in good conditions.

[tnpondmanager]

Every fish I posted a photo of above is a pound or better; all but one of them are twenty ounces or better, and the biggest two that were weighed (the two biggest northern-strain weren't weighed, as I wasn't there when they were caught) went 28 and 31 oz.

It's rare that I fish any of my best ponds without catching at least one bluegill over a pound; they averaged over a pound apiece last year in my best pond. I charge $75 a day more than guides on Reelfoot do; if you want to catch the bluegill of a lifetime, it's a pretty easy decision.

[jackie53]

If you like to bream fish and big bream kentucky and barkley is unreal for numbers and size known for big bass and lots of crappie the bream fishing is outstanding!!!!

[killum]

I have fished Reelfoot lake and North Central part of Kentucky Lake, and aside from one big Redear and 4 or 5 of the biggest Bluegills All the fish I have caught at Kentucky Lake out do Reelfoot. There are some big fish in both but I am heading for Kentucky lake in 3-4 weeks to fish for a week and gills and ears are my primary goal. Tnpondmanager has the chops and locations to get you some big fish no doubt. If I were in his neck of the woods, I would beg him for advice and save my pennies for a guide trip. Maybe I should start posting pics here too...

[Locator79]

I've fished Reelfoot many times late May to early June, and caught tons of bull bluegill. Its a cheap trip, and lots of fun. Or stop at Kentucky lake, and catch some monster redear.

[Alphahawk]

If you are wanting a real trophy fish Walt's ponds. If you want some really good Gills to take home go to Kentucky Lake or Barkley.


Regards

[Fugsy]

Thanks! After seeing those pictures of the big Bluegills, I don't think our wall is strong enough to hold up a few mountings. Thanks again.