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I love jigging for crappie around Cyprus trees and other brush from my little two man fiberglass boat and trolling motor. I’ve been successful doing this in the oxbow sloughs along the Ohio River, but have never fished Reelfoot. I was wondering if this method would work there, when would be the best time to go, which part of the lake should I target and where would be a good place to stay. Any help will be appreciated.
Works great there. Anywhere in the Lake where there are trees. I have caught them on single trees as well as in the groves. April and May have been the best months for me. I always stay at Boyette's with Judy Capps. Call now to make reservations as that is the busy time.
Never been there but never seen a crappie that did not like cypress trees .
Stick to the Lilly pad in the ditches and always rent a boat to take out (I would never take my own boat there)
Keep an eye out on the low-hanging limbs. Reelfoot area is well known for cottonmouths.
Sounds like a good place not to go to for me, brings back memories of "Lonesome Dove".LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by M R Dux
Red wasp nests are much more scary to me. They will attack without provocation. Cottonmouths are curious until you decide to whip one with a rod tip or a boat paddle. I've been in close quarters with them and other than the open-mouthed warning that they are named for, they just want to be left alone. The stories of boats, ATVs or horses being chased unprovoked for long distances by them are total BS in my book. I've caught several with a suction-cup grabber and put them in a 5 gallon bucket to move them away from the buildings around my taxidermy studio. Every one has been docile until we got them in the bucket then they showed out. A mile or two ride in the truck to be relocated on the Clarks River NWR made us both happy.Quote:
Originally Posted by funfishers
The big banded water snakes (non-poisonous) we have on our local rivers and lakes that look like a huge copperhead all seem to be POed at the world. I keep them at a distance.
While pre-fishing a BASS event on Lake Eufaula in AL, a buddy thought it would be funny to back his boat up a narrow creek where I would be face-to-face within fishing rod reach of a big cottonmouth laying on a limb eye level with me. After I promised the friend I was going to beat him to death with my spinnerbait, he decided to put some distance between me and the snake.
I'm with ya on the wasp versus cotton mouth thing. Not much will make me jump out of the boat. Red wasp will.Quote:
Originally Posted by M R Dux
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Well, when do these wasps and snakes make an apperance? We are going to Reelfoot the last weekend of April. I worked outside for the phone company for over 20 years and just can't stand those critters. I've jumped off a ladder because of wasps and got out of a manhole without using the ladder because of snakes. I even grew up out in the country, so I shouldn't have these fears but I do.:dono I don't think my snake gaiters will help with aerial snakes. We didn't see these in early April three years ago. Just wanting to know what to expect.:pray:pray
Most of what you see at Reelfoot are those banded water snakes. Now I don’t like either one, but that is primarily what you will see.
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Thank you. Sounds like I might be taking something loaded with birdshot. Our water snakes are pretty aggressive too. I just can't stand them. I'm awfully careful during Turkey season. But I've come to realize that I fish better than I hunt, so no more hunting again this year:cool:
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Depending on the weather you might see bunches of these! Some parts of the lake are much worse than others; unfortunately for me there’s always plenty in my favorite places to try to find bream.
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greys camp is excellent but watch your trolling motor busted up 2 of them lower unit make sure it kicks up i was told by a guide there you could almost walk across the lake but then again this was out of greys camp about 8 years ago tight lines and be careful:fish
Low water is not an issue on the lake now that the spillway is built. We have 2 duck blinds out of walnut log. I haven't seen but one of the water snakes out on the lake in 25 years. But I have seen lots of water moccasins, Yes I know the difference. I have seen a huge snake ball at the old ramp in a hole. Their was a young boy 7 or 8 that died several years ago from what he said were biting worms. Such a shame. I have been chased by snakes many times on Reelfoot. Years ago you couldn't hardly walk around the state campgrounds. You could drive by and see them in the parking lot. I have a camp by kirby pocket and I love the lake. Good luck fishing!
Reelfoot brings back great memories. I haven't fished there since the mid-70's though, so my info is a bit out of date. :) We usually rented "Reelfoot Lake Boats", small inboards with protected shafts. Running over stumps and logs was no bother at all. Dipping minnows in the stumpfields that held top vegetation was the bees knees. Never had a snake problem back then although you might see one or two a trip.
Tom