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We are making our first trip to Reelfoot in the middle of March. Just wondering if anyone can help is out with what kind of rigs and baits to bring. Will be staying at a local resort using their boat. We have a guide booked but would like to at least have some of the right equipment to start. Any help is appreciated. And since we are from Wisconsin we are really looking forward to some open water!
Not much help I know but maybe bring an ice auger just in case this winter never ends :banghead
Headin there ourselves in march too. Bring some 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs. Minners are always good with chartreuse and black jigs. Deep water this year. The cold is gonna leave them deep. 8ft rods with 6 to 8lb test. Bring some 1/4 to 1/2 oz weights. You might need it. Trolling motors help as well. Good luck. Its a beautiful place. You will have fun
Try deep first, but if you don't have any luck, get in some 4' water and freeline a minnow about six inches under the surface.
Are you bringing your own boat or renting one? If renting one;those rental boats are bare,nothing on them but an outboard motor. I would bring some of those clamp on pole holders to clamp along the side of the boat.I would also order some double minner rigs from grizzly jig 3/4oz is what i use. I would also of course bring a trolling motor and battery with charger. And this is very contraversial on here but I would bring a CHAIN and some rope to drag off of the other side of the boat. I fish reelfoot alot and feel kinda sorry for the guys in those rental boats out there at the mercy of the wind and don't have the right equipment with them. Good luck
Those are valid points. Most rentals I've noticed are either anchored not moving or moving way too fast.
A portable fish locator would definetly help too.
Ok, got a hummingbird rigged up for portable with GPS, got a trolling motor, got rod holders...got an 8' crappie rod with a light reel and some Hi-Vis 5 lb braid. Will get jigs... and we have a guide to get to know the lake...using a resort boat...don't want to use the deep V on the first trip out...need to get to know the water a little.. Thanks for all the tips...wish it was tomorrow...just get rid of the ice before we get there!
If you've got your own boat I'd bring it. As stated those rental boats are bare bones. Seats bolted straight to the wells, if they have seats at all. Bring your boat just be prepared to idle everywhere and you'll be fine. If your fishing the big blue basin, which i figure you will be, and it gets windy, which im SURE it will be, you'll be glad you had that deep v. Also I've seen them not rent boats over the wind or a forecast of bad weather. Even if your not sure if you want to get out in it I'd trailer it down with you just in case.
If the winds (and there will be wind) are bad and you can't fish the water you want, don't pass up tryin' the cypress off the end of Walnut log rd and the upper blue.
Minners
Quality rain gear :Doh:
Hey Wow,
Pulling your boat all the way from WS may add quite a fuel cost to the trip but as has been mentioned a couple times here, the wind in March is as sure as the lake will be wet. I bring my boat, which is not much bigger than the rentals but a bit more stable and set up how I like it. The lake will be full this spring, we've had a wet winter and they have finally got the spillway gates working properly. The other, lesser known reason for having your boat is the ability to fish the watershed lakes. The corp of engineers built a couple dozen lakes in the hills surrounding Reelfoot Lake to help slow the silting of the lake. These are gems that are rarely seen by visitors because they can't take the resort boat off the main water. These smaller bodies are still managable when the winds blow and are large and deep enough to hold great crappie, redear and gills. They are easy to find and have good ramps and parking. You can find more info by Googling "Reelfoot Watershed Lakes". You will also find Flippens Restaurant on the drive, one of the best places to eat in the area.
Good luck. Hope you have a great trip and let us know how you do.
As much as I would like to bring a boat, my boat is in Northern WI in the Shed behind about 4 feet of snow and ice at the doorway. Didn't plan this trip until a month ago and my fishing partner and her husband sold their boat and their new one will not be in until April...which is perfect for around here. So we will bring everything we can with us and hope for the best. Only fishing 3 days so not a lot of extra time. Hopefully we will be able to do it again and plan a little better. Thanks for all the input, I am sure ready to get to some warm weather. That is right after I get done snowmobiling for the next 6 days! Keep the reports coming and tight lines to all!
You will like Reelfoot. Your guide will show you some good spots. Everyone has their favorite spots but during march the crappie are usually suspended in the deep water. Please make sure everyone on board is wearing life jackets when the motor is running even if running slow. The lake is full of stumps and high winds will turn this lake upside down. We lost 3 men in 2013 that were not wearing life jackets. When in doubt on this lake get behind an island out of the wind and wait it out. Most of the time on Reelfoot the wind will lay down at sunset. Good luck and enjoy your fishing.
Ha WowMarie, I first made a March trip the Reelfoot in March 2005 from Wisconsin and have been coming back every year ever since. This year I will be there from the 11th-14th. Hope to see you on the lake and good luck...if the fish are deep like last year going slow is key...so either drift socks or chain anchor dragging would probably be best...
Cheers
It's a beautiful lake but it can definitely get hairy quick when the wind kicks up. Bring blue/chartreuse tube jigs too. Bo's Landing has lively minners that last for days.