I'm planning a spring visit to Reelfoot. What is the best time to be there mostly for bluegills?
Thanks
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I'm planning a spring visit to Reelfoot. What is the best time to be there mostly for bluegills?
Thanks
As of Noon Sunday 118 folks have viewed this post and not one of them has any idea when is the best time to visit Reelfoot in the spring for bluegills.
Failing that, can anyone recommend a guide I can call and get his/her opinion?
Thanks
Never fished it, but based on latitude and regional lakes... I would go full moon in May, 2nd choice full moon in April, 3rd full moon in June.
Idk but I would love to take boat down there if I can get past the fear of putting it on there. Everybody acts like it will destroy a boat
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I don't plan to take my boat for just that reason. I've looked at some of the rental boats there and they are 3X thicker than my jon. I plan on getting one of the room/bait/boat specials that some of the resorts offer.Quote:
Originally Posted by CentKyPaddler
A couple put on a Fish N Camp at Reelfoot years ago, I didn't go. I went searching for that thread. Maybe find some photos and post about the lake and event. Nope, last page starts 10/23/2021.
Around Memorial weekend timeframe is good for the most part . Big boats can potentially get damaged on this lake. Jon boats are good to go. Kayaks are great for moving in on brim beds during spawning and crickets do wonders. You can't go wrong with crikets for brim.
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Clint, any time in mid May usually kicks off the really good bream fishing there. Depending on the full moon and warmer temps it could be earlier. You can find them for several weeks in different phases from what experience I've had over the years. Some times you find them hugged up right on the cypress trees and sometimes you find a big bed all by themselves in the open. I've had my 20' triton fiberglass on it countless times but also have a smaller aluminum boat that I use as well. Yes there are stumps but it's an idle around lake unless you are in the ditches.
Full moon in May or the first few days before or after. I used to fish with a fly-rod for Reelfoot Bluegill way back in the day. It is a shallow lake and the bream bed continuously through summer so you can catch bream all spring and summer long. They don't have to actually be bedding. You didn't mention how you wanted to fish and what baits you care to use. In my opinion, if you want numbers, use a cricket a couple feet down from a pencil float and fish around any Cypress tree or the ring of Cypress knees around the trees. You will catch fish. Tossing a small jig on ultra-light (2" Mister Twister always worked for me) will get you bit as well. Also this will get you the occasional crappie and bass. Small crankbaits such as Strike King Bitsy Minnow worked slowly will get you some of the bigger ones. Except for the very coldest times of the year the Reelfoot Bluegills are willing!
Also all of the Resorts have guides for hire. In my experience, they are worth the cost for the invaluable knowledge they can pass to you. You will save lots of time searching for fishing holes, and they can give you ideas of where you can and can't run your boat. The submerged stumps are nearly everywhere.
Enjoy Reelfoot. It's one of our National Treasures!
Clint one other thing I forgot. Don't forget the full moon in April for the Shellcrackers!
Billy blakey , is a great guide at reelfoot, he is at blue bank resort.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clint
Your booking at blue bank includes a boat, bait,gas.
Hope this helps, and you have a great trip.
Tight lines
Regarding bringing your boat. I say do it. I took mine duck hunting there. First tume I ever had my boat on it was about 4 am in the dark. Used a spot light, followed the cane and pipes that mark the ditches and let her rip. Kinda spooky being on plane in 2 fow but never hit a stump or knee on plane. You may whack one putting around. Use you trolling motor and go slow. Your fishing right?
Regarding bringing your boat. I say do it. I took mine duck hunting there. First tume I ever had my boat on it was about 4 am in the dark. Used a spot light, followed the cane and pipes that mark the ditches and let her rip. Kinda spooky being on plane in 2 fow but never hit a stump or knee on plane. You may whack one putting around. Use you trolling motor and go slow. Your fishing right?
I have been on Reelfoot countless times.
It’s a different lake than any other I’ve fished.
Don’t need a fancy boat or electronics to bream fish.
If you are fishing the cypress knees a Jon boat a skulling paddle will serve you well.
We even use a cane pole with about 10 foot of line with bobber and cricket hook. You will be fishing about a foot deep in 3-4 foot of water dipping cypress knees.
I’ve always been there in the summer when my brother lived in Dyersburg Tn.
Ask a local where Champy’s Pocket is.
That area has never failed me.
Good luck.
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The navionics chart viewer has all the "landmarks" marked and labeled.
Fished in October last year we stayed at blue bank, I know its fishing but in 3 days 6 people in our group didn't get one bite , we threw live bait,every jig we had. I thought we were just on a bad run till we talked to over 20 people not one person caught anything. One guy paid for a guide and caught 2. As far as the lake its like a log road you will constantly hit logs . I always wanted to go , well I went and don't care to ever go back
Take your boat, trim the motor up and go slow! You won’t have a problem.
I have been to Reelfoot many times. I have went as early as March to as late as the end of May. Never done any good. I quit going down there. If you ask any locals or people at the bait shops they will tell you you should have been here last week they were biting good. I could go to the boat sport & travel show here in Indy that's going on right now & there will be a couple resorts there booking trips with a cooler sitting out in front with 3lb crappie on ice. You can ask them when they caught them & they will say 2 days ago. They will tell you anything to book a trip. So prolly the best time on Reelfoot was the week before you go. Save your money & go somewhere else.
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You reckon they just keep some big ones in a tank and pitch them in a cooler every now and again for a new picture?
Reelfoot has never been known for size. Most go there for the numbers. I'm just going for the fishing.Quote:
Originally Posted by smashdn