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Bringing my son down to Reelfoot this Thursday thru Sunday. Any tips in getting me headed in the right direction?? Will be staying at Gray's Camp. I've heard John Fagan is a big help but asking everyone else advive.. Thanks again and good luck on the Slabs to all.
WIND! This is going to be a big problem it looks like for this coming weekend. Both Thursday and Friday they are calling for 25 to 30 mph gust and thunderstorms on friday. Then a little front following for Saturday and sunday. Going to be a tough time on a already tough bite
I just got back, fished Friday thru Monday and it was "windy" I had to use two drift socks! Fished all over the lake and only found fish in blue basin in 10' to 12' FOW, caught 15 keepers. Very slow fishing trip . This is the biggest one I caught 2 1/4 lbs. we used double minnow rigs
Attachment 197093
Customer of mine was one of the two men that died there last year after getting caught in a sudden wind. DO NOT TAKE THE WIND LIGHTLY on Reelfoot.
You are correct!! The wind can be really tough on the Foot. Be safe!Quote:
Originally Posted by tnriverluver
Correct me if I'm wrong. It's been awhile since I've been to the FOOT. Isn't there plenty of pockets to get out of the wind a little??Quote:
Originally Posted by crappie4me2
That's what I'm after Wade.. Would love it if the boy got into one of those.
There are pockets to get out of the wind - but there where no fish to be caught in the shallow bays or flats. The water temp isn't high enough to start the span into shallow water. We only caught fish in the deeper pools - and in the deeper pools the wind was awfully strong and I'm in a -19' War Eagle boat.
The forecast is in the 70 Deg range this week so it should warm up the water. Try early and late and watch the wind, double minnow rig at 4' to 8' FOW. We fished the ditches as well without a bite. Let me know how you do, I am considering another trip down there in April.
Thanks, I'm buying a second wind sock today. So were you in the upper blue basin or the lower blue basin?? I'll sure let you know how I did. I'm also planning another trip later in April or early May. Thanks againQuote:
Originally Posted by Wade2131
Attachment 197216
Here is where we started our drifting, the wind blew us back toward the ditch and across deeper water. Good luck!
I think the shallow water bite should start up this week. They might get a little slowed down saturday but it should start get going this week. I'm going tomorrow and I'm going to start in the 5 foot range. Hopefully I have some good reports
Amen can I get a average water temp. for lake knowing back shallows heat up faster....
Water temps were anywhere from 55-64. We found most of our fish in 2-3 ft. of water right up against the trees. Males were up against trees and females about 5-6 ft away from trees. We tried jigs of all colors and found a plain minnow to be best. Will post pics later. Biggest fish was 15" a couple 14's and several 12".
is anyone else concerned about the crappie fishing at Reelfoot, it sure seems that the last two years it has declined in a big way.
There are fish being caught but not huge numbers. I really think when the lake was low and everyone was jigging the stumps we wore em out. I think that and the carp have hurt the lake. That is my 2 cents on it for what it is worth. I have emailed twra about having a meeting with reelfoot fisherman but have yet to hear back.
Jigging the stumps, carp, spraying of Lilly pads. All of this stuff can have a effect. All lakes go through phases ND I think this is just one of those. It will be back like always, it will always be a crappie factory. Kentucky lake went through this a few years ago and now it is back with a lot of small fish. I to would like to have a meeting to with twra to at least get a a size limit for the lake.
I agree with ya. I also would like to know where the reelfoot lake fee money goes.Quote:
Originally Posted by nwtncrappiefisherman
How about the bream do they seem to be effected ? It sure seems as though the catfish are thriving.
I have done pretty good at reelfoot the last couple of years. There use to be commercial fishing on reelfoot so to think that the lake has been fished out is far fetched. The lake may have experienced a couple of not so good spawns due to weather but the crappie are in there and good healthy crappie at that... But no honestly there isnt any crappie left, dont fish there! :biggrin
I would like to add also that the federals that shock the lake for fish research every year said that last year's black crappie spawn was the biggest they have every recorded. I also know that I have been catching a lot of throw backs this year from last year's spawn. The lake will be back
I don't know how often they sample the crappie population on Reelfoot, but I bet if they do it yearly then you could look back in the not so distant past and find 2 years worth of poor spawns. I used to think the carp had an effect on the fish, but according to the fish we are catching in the Mississippi River oxbows, the crappie aren't hurt there.
I'm thinking the years 2012 and 2013 were not good. I think that because of all the fish between the sizes of 10 to 13 inches are almost all but gone. I have any been catching 1 1/2 pound crappie or bigger or 6 inches from last year's spawn.
I'm having the same results as you nwtcf. I'm surely not the best fisherman on the lake, but I've fished there enough in the past 35 years that I know we are in one of those cyclical times. It will bounce back as Reelfoot is one of the most naturally fertile lakes any where.
I'll still fish it, good or bad. If I just need to feel that thump, I'll bait up my jig pole with a little night crawler and catch some catfish!
Well there are plenty of them little guys in there. If worst comes to worst....
Excellent discussion thanks i really appreciate the comments and thoughts
What oxbows? The one I fish in West Tn has been poooooor for several years now.Quote:
Originally Posted by arkcrappie
I didn't think Reelfoot ever got that bad. Or at least no comparison to Sardis.Quote:
Originally Posted by tnriverluver
Sardis is the only lake that has ever come close to getting me killed. I just don't go there anymore. Was in a bass tournament there several years back. Never again nononoQuote:
Originally Posted by tcounty
Lol so Reelfoot ain't as bad. Sardis can have 3' waves on top of 3' swells
It doesn't compare to Sardis but for no longer than the lower blue is it can get to rolling pretty good, and worst part is if you ride a wave and come down on a stump just right well just hope you got your life jacket on because it can be brutal and on occasion fatal. A few have met their maker in the last few years from being caught out on the lake when the wind gets up. Been caught out more times than I care to remember over the last 40 years so I've grown to respect the lake.
I fish several oxbows in Arkansas and Mississippi.Quote:
Originally Posted by tcounty