Fishing at Reelfoot?

[Guest Bronker]

Anyone done any extensive fishing at Reelfoot?

I know that we're approaching the panfish / bluegill spawn at Reelfoot, and was interested in taking my son for a couple of days. I might be interested in a guide, but would rather know where a guy could get on the bank at a hotspot without fooling with a boat and the expense of a guide.

I've read reviews of Blue Bank Resort, and that's an option if I choose to go the expensive route.

Any local guys know where such places might be to get in close to the action from the bank?

[Caster]

No, but went there several times in the Boy Scouts. Still remember it well. ABSOLUTELY beautiful. Only restaurant I ever heard of that can serve pan fish on the menu is there, and it were good.

[Guest Bronker]

That would be Boyette's, I'd bet.

The bomb.

[Caster]

That would be Boyette's, I'd bet.

The bomb.

Yeah, i think you are right. Danggit! Now I'm jonesin' for some fish.

[gregintenn]

Watch out for the cottonmouths!!! I haven't been there since I was a kid. Then, we stayed at the Airpark Inn, which I don't think is open anymore. We rented a Stumpjumper boat. We caught more and bigger largemouth bass than anywhere I've fished before or since. We also caught fish called "grennel". They reminded me of catfish with scales and teeth. They fought like a gold glove boxer, and growled at you when pulled from the water.

[Guest db99wj]

They have rental boats, they have bait, they have shoreline. Bring a pole, get proper bait, I prefer crickets, catch them. If you don't want to rent a boat, you will be able to fish from the bank and off some of the piers, but depending on when you are there, so will ALL the other people, so my suggestion is to rent a boat, I don't think a guide is necessary, especially if you are staying on the main part of the lake and since you are fishing for bream, err umm panfish/bluegill. Be prepared to catch some crappie as well, they like crickets too, supposedly some of the best Crappie Fishing around, you will see the crappie guys with their 12 poles sticking off the front of the boat out away from the bank. If you are into Bass fishing, it is great. Depending on conditions, plastic worms, spinnerbait, or a Rapala shad rap work well.

If you do rent a boat, you won't have to go far, just go out of the ramp area and stay in and near the Cypress trees and stumps. If you rent a boat, don't go fast, it is shallow and there are tree tops that are just under the surface of the water. The lake has been historically low up until all the rains recently, the lake level should be back to normal by now. I hope the fishing has or will be stabilized due to the new water. I spoke with my mom this morning, we have a stationary dock, not floating, and the deck is underwater, we've never seen that. 2 months ago, it was completly out of the water, and the bottom step that is at water level is about 6 feet from the ground. Lots of new water.

My mom lives on what is known as the Wash Out, it is a finger lake that is on the south side of the lake, it is near Boyettes, you will see the big lake on the north side of the highway, the washout on the south side. That is an open lake, former river channel oxbow lake that on weekends will be full of jet ski's, skiers and folks cruising around. We, me, the wife, and the kids, when up there, will buy crickets and catch them until I'm so tired of taking them off I quite! I don't get to fish much due to the constant taking them off the hook deal for my two girls....and wife. The best times are in the morning of course and the late afternoon, just before dusk periods, but many times you can catch them all day.

Things to remember.

Mosquito's are bad, they are where you live, and they are at Reelfoot, by the billions. Carry appropriate sprays

Watch your step for snakes. Also when in the boat, if you do that, watch the trees, Water Moccasions/Cotton Mouths have been known to hang out there. But also remember, most of the snakes you will see, and you will, are water snakes. They say you can pick them up, they will bite you, then they will leave you alone, i've never tried it.

You will need a Reelfoot Permit to go along with your regular fishing license, you can get a 1 day and a 3 day I believe.

Boyett's, good, unless you have a heart condition, then it's still good, unless you are talking with your cardiologist.

There is also a Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, and a Sonic for ice cream. All in Tiptonville, a few miles from the lake area. You can never have too much ice cream. There is also a grocery store near the Sonic.

Bigfoot, that is not bigfoot, that is Junior, he's a little special, don't pay him any attention.

Black Panthers......I can't confirm or deny.

Go, have fun, whatever you do, I would bet you catch fish and have a great time.

[TGO David]

If Kentucky Lake goes much higher than what they have been predicting in the past 24 hours (18 inches below the top of the dam!) then you might be able to fish Reelfoot from your back yard.

[quietguy]

They have rental boats, they have bait, they have shoreline. Bring a pole, get proper bait, I prefer crickets, catch them. If you don't want to rent a boat, you will be able to fish from the bank and off some of the piers, but depending on when you are there, so will ALL the other people, so my suggestion is to rent a boat, I don't think a guide is necessary, especially if you are staying on the main part of the lake and since you are fishing for bream, err umm panfish/bluegill. Be prepared to catch some crappie as well, they like crickets too, supposedly some of the best Crappie Fishing around, you will see the crappie guys with their 12 poles sticking off the front of the boat out away from the bank. If you are into Bass fishing, it is great. Depending on conditions, plastic worms, spinnerbait, or a Rapala shad rap work well.

If you do rent a boat, you won't have to go far, just go out of the ramp area and stay in and near the Cypress trees and stumps. If you rent a boat, don't go fast, it is shallow and there are tree tops that are just under the surface of the water. The lake has been historically low up until all the rains recently, the lake level should be back to normal by now. I hope the fishing has or will be stabilized due to the new water. I spoke with my mom this morning, we have a stationary dock, not floating, and the deck is underwater, we've never seen that. 2 months ago, it was completly out of the water, and the bottom step that is at water level is about 6 feet from the ground. Lots of new water.

My mom lives on what is known as the Wash Out, it is a finger lake that is on the south side of the lake, it is near Boyettes, you will see the big lake on the north side of the highway, the washout on the south side. That is an open lake, former river channel oxbow lake that on weekends will be full of jet ski's, skiers and folks cruising around. We, me, the wife, and the kids, when up there, will buy crickets and catch them until I'm so tired of taking them off I quite! I don't get to fish much due to the constant taking them off the hook deal for my two girls....and wife. The best times are in the morning of course and the late afternoon, just before dusk periods, but many times you can catch them all day.

Things to remember.

Mosquito's are bad, they are where you live, and they are at Reelfoot, by the billions. Carry appropriate sprays

Watch your step for snakes. Also when in the boat, if you do that, watch the trees, Water Moccasions/Cotton Mouths have been known to hang out there. But also remember, most of the snakes you will see, and you will, are water snakes. They say you can pick them up, they will bite you, then they will leave you alone, i've never tried it.

You will need a Reelfoot Permit to go along with your regular fishing license, you can get a 1 day and a 3 day I believe.

Boyett's, good, unless you have a heart condition, then it's still good, unless you are talking with your cardiologist.

There is also a Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, and a Sonic for ice cream. All in Tiptonville, a few miles from the lake area. You can never have too much ice cream. There is also a grocery store near the Sonic.

Bigfoot, that is not bigfoot, that is Junior, he's a little special, don't pay him any attention.

Black Panthers......I can't confirm or deny.

Go, have fun, whatever you do, I would bet you catch fish and have a great time.

If only you could get someone familiar with the area to respond. Everyone knows that Reelfoot is eat up with Black Panthers.

I think you probably just got the Chamber of Commerce description of the area.

Edited May 3, 2011 by quietguy
punctuation

[Guest Bronker]

db99wj, excellent review. Thank you.