Reel foot Don't go !!!!!!!

Took wife to the foot because she hasn't been fishing in years....... wanted it to be a good experience ...... I think that lake has scared my wife for life..... stayed a week to be able to get a couple of good days fishing out of seven... Not going to happen.... spider rigged... jigged.... driffted....stopped short of bluegill fishing lake is about two or three years from comming back from bad spawns!!!!! several people tried and warn me but did not listen!!!!! my MISTAKE learned my lesson!!!!!!! That lake can kiss my back side... end of story!!!!~!!!!!

So, I guess you not coming to the camp this weekend? :dono We gonna miss you anyway!! :) LOL

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Originally Posted by GatorBait

Took wife to the foot because she hasn't been fishing in years....... wanted it to be a good experience ...... I think that lake has scared my wife for life..... stayed a week to be able to get a couple of good days fishing out of seven... Not going to happen.... spider rigged... jigged.... driffted....stopped short of bluegill fishing lake is about two or three years from comming back from bad spawns!!!!! several people tried and warn me but did not listen!!!!! my MISTAKE learned my lesson!!!!!!! That lake can kiss my back side... end of story!!!!~!!!!!

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Had the same experience last year with my wife. I said before, the only people that catch fish on the 'foot either guide there or those that are locals. I won't go back there either!!! Can't beat the scenery or the atmosphere, but that's about it!!

Hate to hear this....Reel Foot has been on my bucket list and had thought about going this year....but have decided to try to have a big outing closer to home and hopefully get more participation from the family.

If it helps any, I am a local and I caught 16 big boys before the rain hit. Only got to fish for 3 hours....

I got a text from my cousin today and he said one of his friends caught a limit jigging the trees yesterday. The foot can be tough at times but I wouldn't let a couple bad trips from someone keep me from coming to the lake. I've had some really bad days over the last 35 plus years but have also had some really good days, just have to take the bad with the good and keep plugging away. A day on the water is a blessed day and if you happen to catch a few well its just makes it a lil better:)

I have been fishing the Foot for the past 25 years.
For what ever reason I have never seen the crappie fishing as poor as it has been for the past 2 years.
I fished yesterday with one nice girl and three 6 inch fish. About the first small fish I have caught all year.
I think the lake is getting over fished. When the stumps where showing I can't tell you how many coolers of 8 inch fish I saw leaving the lake.
Many days I could count 100+ boats in grooms pocket.
It's time for a size limit and perhaps a lower creel limit.

Probably the same thing that happened to Sardis. Everyone wants to get on here and brag about what and where. Next thing you know the parking lot is full of out of state plates. I've fished RF a few times over the last 20 years. Usually for bream though.

If you catch them keep it to yourself, don't get on here or Facebook bragging and showing pictures. There are 10 times as many people that just get on here and read reports and never join than participate.

I will probly take my grandson to fish for bream there but you can catch crappie there and they have been been bigger fish but I don't keep unless over 10 inches and 14 inches and over goes back.....not without a Pic of course!!!!!! the lake is going threw cycle right now and should have a size limit unless it gets over populated... the lake is great for locals go out closes get afew and back to house in 20 mins or less.... I stop at ky. lake and hit a few and headed back to south shore ky... 7 and half hours away!!! hope fishing picks up but won't get none of my hard earn money for a while til the crickets starts appealing to the shell crackers.. LOL good fishing all.. just reporting what happened to me and wife....

Im not trying to be a smart xxx but they call it fishing for a reason, its not catching. Im jealous actually you got to spend that time on the water with your wife, its few and far between that me and my wife get to do that.

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Originally Posted by GatorBait

Took wife to the foot because she hasn't been fishing in years....... wanted it to be a good experience ...... I think that lake has scared my wife for life..... stayed a week to be able to get a couple of good days fishing out of seven... Not going to happen.... spider rigged... jigged.... driffted....stopped short of bluegill fishing lake is about two or three years from comming back from bad spawns!!!!! several people tried and warn me but did not listen!!!!! my MISTAKE learned my lesson!!!!!!! That lake can kiss my back side... end of story!!!!~!!!!!

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For the out of stater complaint I am going to give you a true story. A friend of mine and I went to Mississippi this year. We fished for a full 10 days. One day was with a guide,$350, 10 days cabin, $750, Meals aprox $40 per day. Gas for the truck and boat about $350 All at local stations and food was at local resturants. Minnows,jigs etc probably $120. Now for the kicker. We brought 62 crappie back with us. Our best day was 19. Now lets talk about local fishermen. I have yet to see people throw back keeper crappie. I would think most folks that live down there catch more and keep more than 30 fish each a year. So while I know we come down and fish I also know that we contribute to the local economy, and I am a reasonably good fisherman so I really don't think we were catching any fewer fish than anyone else. Its not the OoS fisherman that are the only problem it is a combination of issues. Sorry for the rant.:deadhorse

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Originally Posted by MorganT69

Im not trying to be a smart xxx but they call it fishing for a reason, its not catching. Im jealous actually you got to spend that time on the water with your wife, its few and far between that me and my wife get to do that.

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well then you ought to know women then she can be real xxxxx when the fish are not bitting!!!!!! and to be in a boat in a confined space on the water where you can't open the door and walk out..... you get the picture:hatchet: only added to the week...there's fish in the lake of course it not just as good as it been in the past!!!

At my age, being able to catch a glimpse of the lake is far more important than catching a fish. Brenda and I are going cruising at Reelfoot May 1-3. Might catch a fish or possibly a stump.

I fished Reelfoot Lake a lot of years before moving away from the lake two years ago. I have always loved and appreciated the unique beauty and fishability of the lake. In a recent conversation with a Tennessee Wildlife Fisheries Biologist, I asked about the ability of the lake to stand up to the tremendous fishing pressure being placed on the lake in especially the last few years. (I put the question particularly in regards to the crappie fishing.) He answered that Reelfoot Lake is a virtual incubator for crappie. No other lake in this part of the country can match the key things needed for reproducing crappie: natural spawning habitat, water quality, and abundance of forage. He noted that weather patterns can and do affect the crappie spawn, with some years having more favorable conditions than others, and that every lake goes through cycles of spawning, but creel surveys and netting sampling has shown that fishing pressure has little to do with the crappie population on the lake. The truth is: most fisherman do not catch that many fish (on average). Now back several years ago, when the commercial harvesting of crappie was allowed on the lake, so many quality fish were being removed by nets it did have a negative affect on crapping fishing, but in the years since the netting stopped, the size average and overall population of the crappie increased dramatically. He went on to say that there is no way, even given the high fishing pressure on the lake these days, that the crappie fishermen can even begin to compete with the number of crappie that were being taken by commercial netting. Each year a certain "poundage" of fish was set to be taken by commercial netters, but a lot of fish were taken and sold illegally. So much so that it really hurt the lake. I've shared all this simply to say, I wouldn't count Reelfoot Lake out. It is still one of the finest crappie lakes in the country with a good future ahead of it.

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Originally Posted by kyfishman

I fished Reelfoot Lake a lot of years before moving away from the lake two years ago. I have always loved and appreciated the unique beauty and fishability of the lake. In a recent conversation with a Tennessee Wildlife Fisheries Biologist, I asked about the ability of the lake to stand up to the tremendous fishing pressure being placed on the lake in especially the last few years. (I put the question particularly in regards to the crappie fishing.) He answered that Reelfoot Lake is a virtual incubator for crappie. No other lake in this part of the country can match the key things needed for reproducing crappie: natural spawning habitat, water quality, and abundance of forage. He noted that weather patterns can and do affect the crappie spawn, with some years having more favorable conditions than others, and that every lake goes through cycles of spawning, but creel surveys and netting sampling has shown that fishing pressure has little to do with the crappie population on the lake. The truth is: most fisherman do not catch that many fish (on average). Now back several years ago, when the commercial harvesting of crappie was allowed on the lake, so many quality fish were being removed by nets it did have a negative affect on crapping fishing, but in the years since the netting stopped, the size average and overall population of the crappie increased dramatically. He went on to say that there is no way, even given the high fishing pressure on the lake these days, that the crappie fishermen can even begin to compete with the number of crappie that were being taken by commercial netting. Each year a certain "poundage" of fish was set to be taken by commercial netters, but a lot of fish were taken and sold illegally. So much so that it really hurt the lake. I've shared all this simply to say, I wouldn't count Reelfoot Lake out. It is still one of the finest crappie lakes in the country with a good future ahead of it.

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Lol. The biologist in Mississippi said the same thing.

Seven of us spent last week ( 18th thru 25th on Reelfoot Lake ) .We brought home 1000 crappie and gill fillets , plus 6 bags of catfish fillets , largest crappie was 1lb. 14 oz. . I have fished Reelfoot for over 50 yrs. and I think it's just as good now as it was fifty yrs. ago .

Where exactly was you fishing because I haven't brought home one crappie this year that weighed under 1 1/4 pounds. I have even been throwing back 11 and 12 inchers. I don't think the over all fishing has been just as good but I would rather catch 10 crappie of the size I've been keeping then 60 crappie of what reelfoot used to have 4 years ago.

Yep, Boa3, pretty much the same for me. This and another thread on here got me stirred up. Have visited reelfoot several times in past 20 years. Have seen a bunch of weird stuff there. While I consider it one of my most favorite places, and have had my share of skinny fish trips, I've noticed a less welcoming attitude by locals and businesses over the years. I presume this is largely because of morons who have ruined things for those of us who are considerate and respectful of others and this awesome natural resource. The economic wasting there is unfortunate and probably spawns resentment by locals who see people coming there from a better economic climate. I see alot of nonsense talk on here about reelfoot fisherman. I can understand that locals have some ownership but so do those who are loyal and regular visitors. Fishing, it's our favorite part of life...I like to remind myself to step back and think about how fortunate I am and the freedom I have to do so. Compare that to the many people in this world who have no idea what we enjoy. Keeping a healthy perspective is a good thing. Hoping to return to reelfoot some day and when I do I plan to enjoy it as much as I did the first time.

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Originally Posted by tcounty

Probably the same thing that happened to Sardis. Everyone wants to get on here and brag about what and where. Next thing you know the parking lot is full of out of state plates. I've fished RF a few times over the last 20 years. Usually for bream though.

If you catch them keep it to yourself, don't get on here or Facebook bragging and showing pictures. There are 10 times as many people that just get on here and read reports and never join than participate.

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Wow...out of towners causing the problem by over fishing? That's funny to me as I am an out of towner, live just across the river in Missouri, but I guarantee you I contribute more the overall well being of that lake than most of the locals. The way i figure it I spend about $3000 a year around that lake. With at least 1500 at the state park, groceries, gas, bait and eating around town. Not to mention the $58 licence I buy every year. My Dad has been doing the same for going on 30 years. The amount of crappie we bring home is far execeded by the amount of money we contribute to the local economy. I'm not saying this because we are the only ones. On any given day there are more out of towners spending money in the bait shops and restraunts than locals. All these campgrounds full of people are full of US. Without US reelfoot is back like it was in the 80s, nothing but a prison town.

I am a local and I have no problem with out of towners. The thing that some of these people don't understand is that out of towners are not ruining the fishing. If anything the locals are hurting it. Not trying to say anybody is a bad fisherman but I have never pulled my boat out after a day of fishing and seen a non local catch more then I have for that day. I'm not saying that I am a better fisherman. If I went to their lake I don't think I would nearly do as good as them. The thing that I see the most of is these so called "professional guides" on the lake. It's ridiculous the size of fish that they put in there cooler just to say they put their customers on fish. I'm not saying this is true for all of them as I know we have some pretty good guides across the lake and even a few that are on this forum that I would tell people to go with. I care for that lake more then anyone I know because of its natural resource and knowing that it is a one of kind lake. No matter how bad it gets, it will always be back because it is the ultimate crappie factory.

I live just across the river in Arkansas. I've bought my Tennessee license every year for 30 or so years. I'm going to Reelfoot every year because I like the lake. The past 2 years, I have not caught as many fish and I'm putting more back now than I ever have. I will still keep 4 or 5 to bring home for supper, but I'm releasing what I don't need for that night.
I'm gonna fish the Foot when the fishing is good and I'll be there when it's not so good. I'm an east Arkansas bottom land boy and that lake is one of the most beautiful lakes I fish. You never know what you might see on a day of fishing there.

If you are coming to Reelfoot to take home enough fish to feed your town, that's your choice, but you should be coming to take home a wonderful experience from one of North America's most unique and beautiful lakes.

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Originally Posted by Minus 1

Seven of us spent last week ( 18th thru 25th on Reelfoot Lake ) .We brought home 1000 crappie and gill fillets , plus 6 bags of catfish fillets , largest crappie was 1lb. 14 oz. . I have fished Reelfoot for over 50 yrs. and I think it's just as good now as it was fifty yrs. ago .

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^^this is what I'm talking about

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Originally Posted by nwtncrappiefisherman

Where exactly was you fishing because I haven't brought home one crappie this year that weighed under 1 1/4 pounds. I have even been throwing back 11 and 12 inchers. I don't think the over all fishing has been just as good but I would rather catch 10 crappie of the size I've been keeping then 60 crappie of what reelfoot used to have 4 years ago.

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We stayed at Grays camp on the north end . We did venture as far south as Kirby pocket and Big Starve . We worked hard for what we caught .We caught more blacks than whites . if I was there now , I'd be fishing the trees on both sides of the channel going into big starve and the deeper trees in the open water .

Amen to that sir...and go redhawks?!

Okay, I'm going to say this then shut up. I get so freakin sick of hearing about out of staters ruining (take your pick) Lake!!!
Everywhere I go, there is a common theme. Locals blaming their lack of fishing ability on someone else. Out of state fishermen ( or hunters) are an easy target and get animosity stirred. Even at some of the lakes I fish in my home state, the locals have the same attitude. You may be a Missouri resident, but you don't live near the lake so you don't belong here. BS!!!!! Most lakes I fish are funded by federal taxes. I pay MORE than my fair share of said taxes and have the RIGHT to fish!! I am an American, I purchase fishing licenses in 5-6 different states every year. If you don't like out of state fishermen, that is your problem

I forgot to mention we got the boat motor tangled up in a hoop net that was jam packed full of rotting crappies...I doubt very much that was an out of staters net.. Reelfoot will never ever be fished out ....They may die off from chemical pollution but not at the hands of fishermen ...

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Originally Posted by tcounty

Probably the same thing that happened to Sardis. Everyone wants to get on here and brag about what and where. Next thing you know the parking lot is full of out of state plates. I've fished RF a few times over the last 20 years. Usually for bream though.

If you catch them keep it to yourself, don't get on here or Facebook bragging and showing pictures. There are 10 times as many people that just get on here and read reports and never join than participate.

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Seems funny that you mentioned out of state plates. If not from the out of state pates there would not be any buisnesses down there. I was there 2 weeks ago and stayed at reelfoot outdoors for three nights. while I was there I went past the national guard armory and they were doing a food pantry. There were more cars in the parking lot than I could count. I spent a thousand dollars while down there buyin stuff and staying there. Guess I should have kept my money here in indiana. I have been coming down there for 40 years.

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Originally Posted by tcounty

^^this is what I'm talking about

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Ok again what is your complaint. 7 people for 7 days tha tis 71.4 fish per person for 7 days or 7 fish per day. Now ask the what it cost each person for the trip. Again with out the out of staters where would the money come from to operate on.

Same here. Sick of hearing this. Spent thousands of $$$ fishing Reelfoot. I live in Arkansas but the Foot will always be my home lake. Fished here for 30 years and nobody ever complained when when I was handing them money. It makes the locals upset when we catch more than they do. I have encountered only a few bad seeds. Overall most locals are glad we are here or the Foot would revert back to what it was in the early 80's. That was bad.

Never had a problem with people out of state coming. I only hate the ones that litter and yell constantly on the lake (locals and non-locals). I'm always willing to help the folks out that come for a nice weekend away, so I'll gladly tell them where it's been the best and what I've used. There's plenty of fish for everybody. Not all of us are that grumpy, ha ha!

Now, if they could get that spillway situation sorted..

Speck....ya didn't go unnoticed. Nice job!!!! We need to get after 'em some where, some place, some day. Maybe an Oct/Nov trip to MI for fall crappie....if you can get me out of my bow hunting stands. lol

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Originally Posted by Frank Cecil

Ok again what is your complaint. 7 people for 7 days tha tis 71.4 fish per person for 7 days or 7 fish per day. Now ask the what it cost each person for the trip. Again with out the out of staters where would the money come from to operate on.

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Frank, I'm an out of stater and just went to the Reelfoot camp.Drove 500 miles. Spent some money. Bought a license. Did not catch a fish. Did not even try. But loved the lake anyway. By the way, I think 500 fish for 7 guys for 7 days averages 10.2 per person per day. Not trying to correct you to be a smart alec, just getting the number right . I agree, that is not overfishing. That is just good fishing. Congrats.

T county...go back and whine on your Sardis thread and leave these fine people alone...or I'm gonna start posting pics again of every fish I catch...people's sick of you running yo chops[emoji120]

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Originally Posted by joekiller

T county...go back and whine on your Sardis thread and leave these fine people alone...or I'm gonna start posting pics again of every fish I catch...people's sick of you running yo chops[emoji120]

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No lol

I grew up on Weiss Lake in AL and that lake was awesome up until it caught on with out-of-towners...mostly from Kentucky. My dad and I could always catch a cooler full in the early 80s, but the totals started dwindling soon after the yankees (dad's term for them) started flocking to the lake in the hundreds.

They would come down in droves, catch a limit, take them back to their hotel, and then do it all over again. I'm not trying to start a fight here, but it seems that 'out of towners' think spending money is a huge deal and gives them every right to come in a pillage a lake. The typical resident of any given lake community will never see any benefits from dollars spent fishing...and any slight benefit (a few extra seasonal waitress jobs, etc.) will never outweigh the damage droves of fishermen (usually yankees) can do to local fisheries.

Now I live just west of Nashville, TN and see the same scenario being played out at Reelfoot and KY Lake. If you want to find any person who is from Indiana or Illinois on any given day, there's a good chance you can find them on Reelfoot. Many of these folks are truly terrible fishermen (confusing drum for crappie, etc), so they aren't all bad due their poor 'creel abilities', but anyone who says out-of-state fishermen don't have a negative impact on the overall fishery quality of Reelfoot - or any other lake they flock to - is lying to themselves.

Grenada Lake in MS will be the next lake to decline due to out of towners...book it.

Ya know, Reelfoot, like ALL the other lakes mentioned here is a PUBLIC LAKE. Buy the license and go fish. The state of Tennessee encourages it's residents AND ANYONE FROM ANY OTHER STATE to do so.

We do the same here in Missouri. Take a drive and wet a line in Truman Lake, Stockton, Table Rock, Pomme de Terre, Smithville, you'll be welcome... long as you mind your manners.

These are some of the folks that appreciate me spending my money there multiple times a year.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pizza-To-Go/327404033848

Should of been there last week.

Out of staters, come git "em. Need tax muny to pave the road out front me house.

Everyone had their say. This thread is done.