Thread: Reel foot Don't go !!!!!!!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.