I normally fish KY lake but I am planning on making my first ever trip to the magnolia state this Sunday.
I know absolutely nothing about the lake. I would really appreciate any advice or help.
Where is the best ramp to launch at?
Does Hernando have a good bait shop I can minnows at early Sunday morning?
What depth water should I start in?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
I hate to spoil your plans, but if this is your first time down here, I would not start there. That is a tuff lake that has skunked a lot of veteran seasoned crappie fishermen. However, if you catch it ON, there are some slabs in there, but they are hard to find. If it were me, I would travel a little further south to Sardis or Enid. You will get several more responses to your question, just hang on! Take I 269 around Memphis to I 55. To Sardis is only about 30-45 minutes to the Sardis exit from there.
Army man,Quote:
Originally Posted by armyman
Thanks for your post. I would consider myself seasoned but not a veteran! Your words kinda scare me... I picked butla because its closer to home. Maybe I need ride a few more minutes and get on sardis.
Steven, "Butla, as we call it down here, is not as close from where you're coming from, if it is Jackson. "Buta is several miles east of I-55, and you can be at Engineer Point at Sardis in about the same time or maybe a little less. Good Luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenrich2003
Def do the Sardis thing. Butla is TUFF for someone who doesn't know it....hell, tuff for guys that DO know it.
When he says seasoned he actually means experienced on Butla. It's drawn down pretty good right now which means lots of shallow water and sand bars you don't see. It's a real hard lake to fish most days. I haven't been and that's the lake I fish the most. Haven't talked to anyone that has. Had some bad rains in last few days so it's muddied up pretty good. Launching is not easy because of sand built up on bottom of ramps unless corps has done some cleaning since water drop, which I doubt they have. My suggestion is also Sardis put in at Engineers point. Go east until you see a cluster of boats. Then fish that area. Minnows at the dam store on your way to lake on your right about 5-6 miles from 55.
Cray, you are seasoned AND experienced!:biggrin
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cray
Ok, this seals the deal. Sardis here I come!
Can you share any insight on this lake? I again appreciate the time and the words.
You've made the right decision. Stand by for more info. There's a lot more guys that are willing to help you. GOOD LUCK, and give us a report on your trip!
I fish bulta religiously. I know the lake very well And i only live about 5 minutes from the lake. The bite has been tuff to non existent for me. The lake has it good times and there is know doubt a bunch of hawgs in there but I wouldn't waste my time there right now. I even went to Sardis this past weekend to remind myself I can still catch a slab. She will humble the best of the best.
Enid or Sardis. Don't even bother stopping at 'Butla.
I'm more partial to Enid, but I need to fish Sardis more to get more comfortable with the lake.
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Right now upper end is going to be muddied up and trashy, that is probably going to move down lake as the week progresses. That's going to push them a little deeper. Find the ledges and fish the drops is about all I can recommend right now. If weather stabilizes and wind dosnt get to bad you should be able to catch some fish. Big minnows.
Butla is the toughest lake in the country when she’s off, and she’s off right now. I had a guide friend of mine from KY lake fish there last Saturday. He got skunked. He tore em up on Friday at Enid. MCC is having a tourney at Enid this Saturday. Sardis is good right now. That’s where I’d go.
Holler at me. I’ve got a place on Sardis. I’ll be down there all weekend starting tonight.
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If you want to keep and eat fish go to sardis/enid. If you want to see how good of a fisherman you are go to the butt/arkabutla lol it will tell you real quick. I went saturday and caught 9 from daylight to noon. They are working on the spillway right now so the water will come up some. To be honest tho I am done there until early spring. Duck season makes me take a break. Butla has some good snaggin during the winter too.
And those are the good things.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cray
Thanks for your help guys! I am actually really looking forward to the trip now. Can you get minnows, beer, and a fishing license at the " dam store " right off of 315 on the way to the lake?
I know he has beer and minnows don't know about license. I woul go to MDWF and get it on line. Pretty sure you can set start date for out of state.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenrich2003
beer in the boat is a no-no, isn't it? May not cite you but they can.
Yep, pretty hefty fine, too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd
Always purchase your license online before a trip. Much easier and you can hit the water running when you get there.Sent from my SM-G920V using TapatalkQuote:
Originally Posted by Cray
Yes, you can add a start date to your non resident license when buying online.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
Thanks, I did. It was really easy. 8 bucks for 1 day!
You can have beer on the water, but not on land. Doesn't make much sense, but that's how it is. I know the hard way.Quote:
Originally Posted by armyman
Huh?Quote:
Originally Posted by ragencage
Do they deliver it with a helicopter or a drone? I am confused. Im from out of town so I defiantly will be following the rules just do not understand this one.
Steven, suggest you go to mdwfp.com and read page 40 of MS Outdoor Digest regarding Alcohol Boating Safety or submit a question by e-mail. The regulations cover the land AND the water. Just don't want you to get some bad information.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenrich2003
just drink Coors light. It surely doesn't qualify as beer.
Sounds like a man of experience!!:RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd
Sorry for the late response guys... Sheww I been busy.
We got on the water about 9:30am. Did not catch a fish until the wind laid down about 12:00. We caught about 20 or so crappie, several little bass, and one huge alligator gar. Only 7 of the crappie were over 12 inches though... Home waters being Kentucky lake its is REALLY REALLY freaking hard for me to throw back a 11 and 3/4 inch fish.... Sheww truthfully it hurt my feelings a bunch of times.
We found our best success in about 13 ft of water.
I was blown away by the size of the water. Google maps does not do it justice. Also I got lucky and did not have the wind to deal with. I cant imagine what its like fishing all of that open water with a wind 10-15 or 20mph.
Also, Mississippi boys yall really have something to be proud of. I was very impressed with the lake. I will defiantly be back.
I figured up my total expenses for the trip and well.... I will be back just not nearly as often...
I froze 2 quart bags of fillets and they are going to taste wonderful.
Thanks again to everyone that helped a fellow fisherman out with some pointers and advice.
/steven
Thanks for the report. Glad you enjoyed our "little" fishery! If you think that lake is big, come back and see it when is at full pool in the Summer!! TIP: If the wind is 10-15 mph, STAY OFF that big gal!!