Blue Bank Resort - Reelfoot Lake crappie

My name is Rob and am located in Kalamazoo, MI. I am brand new to this site and am looking for some information on the current or suspected conditions on Reelfoot Lake for crappies? I discovered Blue Bank Resort somehow on Facebook last winter that was advertising spring fishing package specials and tried to make a trip down there in March of 2017 but wasn't able to make that happen. This spring I am looking to make a spring trip down there again with my girlfriend. Due to her work schedule and vacation availability....I am looking to book dates at Blue Bank Resort for April 8-11. For those that have been there or know the resort.....is it a quality place to stay and worth the money? Accommodations? Hospitality? I also have received some information from a different fishing website member, whom is a member on this site, that the crappie fishing on Reelfoot isn't what it used to be. With that being said.....I am trying to find out if the 9 hour trip down there from Michigan is worth the quality of fishing that I will see. I understand there are no guarantees, weather, water conditions, etc. But.....is this fishery worth the trip?

Blue Bank has great looking accommodations and the restaurant is very good. Since we live 30 miles away I've never stayed there but we have eaten there many times. They have both a hotel type building and several cabins. If you hire Billy or one of the other guides you will be able to catch crappie. If you plan on renting a boat going on your own the likelihood of catching good numbers of crappie is greatly diminished. Depending on the weather they be in the trees and lily pads or may still be in the 6-10' water and spider rigging would be required. It's a beautiful lake but it's not what it used to be as far as catching crappie or bream. Attachment 285839


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Originally Posted by Grumpy1

Blue Bank has great looking accommodations and the restaurant is very good. Since we live 30 miles away I've never stayed there but we have eaten there many times. They have both a hotel type building and several cabins. If you hire Billy or one of the other guides you will be able to catch crappie. If you plan on renting a boat going on your own the likelihood of catching good numbers of crappie is greatly diminished. Depending on the weather they be in the trees and lily pads or may still be in the 6-10' water and spider rigging would be required. It's a beautiful lake but it's not what it used to be as far as catching crappie or bream. Attachment 285839


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I think we have decided to make the trip. I will look into hiring a guide for one day, but depending on that cost.....I likely can't afford to hire a guide for 4 days. I did order a Hot Spots map of the lake yesterday and as long as I can get someone down there to give me some general areas or spots marked on my map, I should be ok. Im so used to having my Humminbird Lakemaster mapping on my boat, that makes navigation so much easier on a body of water that I have never been on before.

Are you bringing your own boat? There are a few Crappie.com members on here that know a whole lot more than I do about fishing at Reelfoot but if you shoot me a message before you get here I'll let you know if I've been there recently and what I've heard.


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My one and only trip there wasn't a good trip(1st of October a few years ago), didn't catch a fish and even the guides were off the water by noon. I to had the Hot Spot map but found it useless because every 20 feet or less I was rocking my 14ft aluminum Jon boat off a submerged tree in 12ft and 14ft water. Not posting this to discourage your trip but a guide for the first day would be a good idea, as long as your versatile in your crappie fishing skills you will benefit from the guide. I personally vertical jig for crappie and its my style, to hire a guide and spider rig for them I would be out of my element.

Drive just a little farther south to north Mississippi. I know a decent guide.:twocents

Hire you a guide, and don't wait till the last minute. They get busy that time of the year. A guide at the foot is fairly cheap compared to what you pay at some other places.

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Originally Posted by Grumpy1

Are you bringing your own boat? There are a few Crappie.com members on here that know a whole lot more than I do about fishing at Reelfoot but if you shoot me a message before you get here I'll let you know if I've been there recently and what I've heard.


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Originally, I was going to bring my bass boat so I had gps and sonar, livewells, etc......but after reading and listening to guys with knowledge and experience on that lake and all the stumps, I decided then that I would leave my Ranger at home. My girlfriend dropped some bad news on me yesterday when she got home from work. She has been sick with the flu (and so have I) and they have forced her to use vacation time for being off sick. Her employer has re-structured their sick time policy because too many nurses were calling in sick and abusing the time off. So.........now, my planed dates of April 8-11 are screwed because she doesn't have anymore vacation time until May. So now......I need to find out if the crappie fishing is good enough in mid May to make the trip?

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Originally Posted by Crappiefish123

My one and only trip there wasn't a good trip(1st of October a few years ago), didn't catch a fish and even the guides were off the water by noon. I to had the Hot Spot map but found it useless because every 20 feet or less I was rocking my 14ft aluminum Jon boat off a submerged tree in 12ft and 14ft water. Not posting this to discourage your trip but a guide for the first day would be a good idea, as long as your versatile in your crappie fishing skills you will benefit from the guide. I personally vertical jig for crappie and its my style, to hire a guide and spider rig for them I would be out of my element.

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I personally have never spider rigged for crappie. Only way we ever fish them up here is right after ice out and we catch em in the lilly pad patches before they grow to the surface and usually just cast a tiny bobber rig.

Still the same advice, get you a guide. Now if you're just not dead set on crappie, the catfish should be heating up by then. Pretty much anyone can rent a boat and set out some jugs or limb lines and get a mess of catfish.

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

Hire you a guide, and don't wait till the last minute. They get busy that time of the year. A guide at the foot is fairly cheap compared to what you pay at some other places.

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I had planned to call or email Billy or another guide to get prices, but do you know approximately what a daily guide rate would be?

Most of them are under $200

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Now if you're not dead set on Reelfoot, then Kentucky Lake wouod be a great place to camp and fish.

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

Still the same advice, get you a guide. Now if you're just not dead set on crappie, the catfish should be heating up by then. Pretty much anyone can rent a boat and set out some jugs or limb lines and get a mess of catfish.

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I am typically a bass fisherman, and making the 9 hour trip down from Michigan my plan was set for a crappie trip only.

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

Most of them are under $200

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Very good. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

Now if you're not dead set on Reelfoot, then Kentucky Lake wouod be a great place to camp and fish.

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I did a week long trip to Kentucky Lake in April 2006. Loved it and we caught tons of crappie.

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

Hire you a guide, and don't wait till the last minute. They get busy that time of the year. A guide at the foot is fairly cheap compared to what you pay at some other places.

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I received information back from Blue Bank Resort. A guide for a day runs $325 and if you want Billy, it's $400. And of course that doesn't include a tip which I think is customary. Wow.....ouch!

9 hours won't cut it. With gas, meal stops, etc you're 10 to 11 hours minimum.

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Originally Posted by blazin461

I received information back from Blue Bank Resort. A guide for a day runs $325 and if you want Billy, it's $400. And of course that doesn't include a tip which I think is customary. Wow.....ouch!

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I sent you a pm. Don't go through a resort for a guide.

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Originally Posted by elkhunter

9 hours won't cut it. With gas, meal stops, etc you're 10 to 11 hours minimum.

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I agree. 10-11 hours. I was mearly accounting for what Google maps showed.

I now live on Kentucky Lake, and grew up not far from Reelfoot. I fished Reelfoot a lot in late 60's and 70's. Back then, commercial crappie fishing was still legal, the average crappie size was 6 to 8".
My choice would be Kentucky Lake, bring your boat, hire a crappie guide, then crappie fish, or bass fish the other 3 days.
Reelfoot is a beautiful lake, very unique, great people, awesome food, and hospitality. Bring your boat, Reelfoot's not that bad, just don't plan on running fast.
I,love both of them, Mississippi has (4) great choices as well!

I'd do ky lake,you may find some help if you post on the tn and ky forum a week or two before you come.

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Originally Posted by blueball

I'd do ky lake,you may find some help if you post on the tn and ky forum a week or two before you come.

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True that but don't wait till then to hire a guide.

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Originally Posted by blazin461

My girlfriend dropped some bad news on me yesterday when she got home from work. She has been sick with the flu (and so have I) and they have forced her to use vacation time for being off sick. Her employer has re-structured their sick time policy because too many nurses were calling in sick and abusing the time off. So.........now, my planed dates of April 8-11 are screwed because she doesn't have anymore vacation time until May. So now......I need to find out if the crappie fishing is good enough in mid May to make the trip?

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As previous mentioned, Blue Bank Resort is great with amazing views, accommodations and guides. Reelfoot is scenic, lots of cover, great people and awesome food. In mid May, the bonnet's, grass along with other vegetation will have grown to full greenery. I feel it will be difficult to catch crappie post spawn in good numbers and size. The Bluegill fishing will be a little early with full moon not until May 29th.

With this being said, my recommendation would be to bring the Ranger... stop short in the Benton, KY area and hire a guide for 1-2 days and then fish on your own for 2 days. The trolling crankbait pattern should be starting for post spawn crappie. Your guide demonstrate other techniques for catching post-spawn crappie such as single pole, spider rigging and long line pulling. They can also introduce you to using electronics, GPS topography, and GPS guided trolling motors. You will have a blast while fishing with your girl friend if she likes to fish.

The rates range from $250 - $400 per day depending on 4-6 hrs of fishing. Boat, Bait and tackle included.
Here are a couple links to guides on KY Lake near Benton, KY. that I'm familiar with... (*Sorry if I left anyone out... please post your guiding web address to this gentleman.)
https://www.crappie-gills-n-more.com/
Kick'n Bass - Kentucky Lake Fishing Guide

Don't wait around!!! Call and make a reservation now before the guides fill their calendar.

This post is not down playing Reelfoot Lake, just trying to ensure you a successful and fun trip down South!!!

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Originally Posted by mrdux

True that but don't wait till then to hire a guide.

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Exactly,bet crankbait bite will be on too

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For great results with crank baits contact Doug with crappie gills and more on Ky lake. He is the best pulling cranks and he is a great person, you cain't go wrong.

If you are dead set on reelfoot in May. I do guided trips on reelfoot and can put you on some for a day if you would like. I don't charge near the amount of blue bank or some of the other guides. The middle of May is my favorite time personally for catching crappie on Reelfoot and can easily show you how to do it in one day so you can have a successful trip for the rest of your time. I also do guided trips on Kentucky lake if you decide on that path. Just PM on here and I will get back with you as soon as I can. Thanks and good fishing

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Originally Posted by tnbirdhunter

As previous mentioned, Blue Bank Resort is great with amazing views, accommodations and guides. Reelfoot is scenic, lots of cover, great people and awesome food. In mid May, the bonnet's, grass along with other vegetation will have grown to full greenery. I feel it will be difficult to catch crappie post spawn in good numbers and size. The Bluegill fishing will be a little early with full moon not until May 29th.

With this being said, my recommendation would be to bring the Ranger... stop short in the Benton, KY area and hire a guide for 1-2 days and then fish on your own for 2 days. The trolling crankbait pattern should be starting for post spawn crappie. Your guide demonstrate other techniques for catching post-spawn crappie such as single pole, spider rigging and long line pulling. They can also introduce you to using electronics, GPS topography, and GPS guided trolling motors. You will have a blast while fishing with your girl friend if she likes to fish.

The rates range from $250 - $400 per day depending on 4-6 hrs of fishing. Boat, Bait and tackle included.
Here are a couple links to guides on KY Lake near Benton, KY. that I'm familiar with... (*Sorry if I left anyone out... please post your guiding web address to this gentleman.)
https://www.crappie-gills-n-more.com/
Kick'n Bass - Kentucky Lake Fishing Guide

Don't wait around!!! Call and make a reservation now before the guides fill their calendar.

This post is not down playing Reelfoot Lake, just trying to ensure you a successful and fun trip down South!!!

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Excellent. Thank you for the information. We will give this some good thought and consideration. My heart is not set on Reelfoot.

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Originally Posted by Nutbush

I sent you a pm. Don't go through a resort for a guide.

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Where can i find a list of guide that don't work for the resorts ?

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Originally Posted by #anyfishwilldo

Where can i find a list of guide that don't work for the resorts ?

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Look at the top of this page at Tennessee Guides. Chase Petty is a member on here and he guides on Reelfoot. Really nice guy and can catch fish and is not with the resorts.


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Feelay gave you the best advice so far. Unless you have something against 2-3+ crappie.

agree feelay hit it on head.grenada best lake in country..unbelievable slabs.i dont know him except from years on him and all have been happy..and bring your boat but on reelfoot good luck stumps everywhere foot under water.no chance of not hitting 10 to 30 a day