reelfoot lake update

[daymere]

Thanks for checking in on this weeks fishing report. For the past 11 weeks or so, Reelfoot has produced very good numbers and size on Crappie. This might go down as one of the best crappie seasons in several years. The bite has slowed down a bit from what it was producing but there are still good numbers being reported. The weather at times has been good and that has helped on the larger number days. The winds are always the main concern for Reelfoot. The Lower Blue Basin area has been the focus on where most of the good catches have come from. When the wind is up it is almost impossible to fish in this area very far from the bank depending on which direction the winds are blowing from. Water conditions on Reelfoot are good but could be better. Water color is stained over most areas of the lake with the clear waters be found in the shallow areas and in the Lower Blue Basin. The Upper Blue Basin area has been producing good catches of crappie as well. This area is much easier to fish when the wind is up from the west or south. Water temps over most of the lake are running from 47 to 50 degrees as of Friday ( 2-27 ). As for the reports, limits of crappie have been caught on days with lite winds and using minnows and red shinners for bait. Also, since the water has warmed the shallow bite has picked up and using jigs is a good method. Fish 6 to 10 feet using the spider rig method by slowly dragging the minnows. As for the shallow bite, look for dead lilly pad stems in the 2 to 5 foot water range. Also, look for gulls because they have located baitfish and this is where some crappie and bass might be. As for bass fishing, I spent 2 days chasing the largemouth and managed to boat just one bass but he was a nice one around 4 lbs. If you plan to bass fish you really need to fish very very slow with a dark color jig/pig combo or a 3/8 or 1/2oz spinnerbait with a large colorado blade. The large type blades produce vibration in the water that the fish can since. White or white/chartruse colors are good. Remember to fish slow. This time of year you need not get up at the crack of dawn and start to fish. From 10 am til 3 pm is the best times until the days get longer and warmer. Remember to wear those lifejackets. Someday it just might save your life or come in handy. Happy Fishing
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