Billy Blakely, the head guide at Blue Bank Resort, shows of the reason crappie anglers from all
across the country make the drive to Tennessee’s Reelfoot Lake. (Photo: Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor)
Destination: Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee
by Tim Huffman
Reelfoot Lake was created in 1811 when a massive earthquake on the New Madrid Fault caused the Mississippi River to actually flow backwards for nearly a day. It flooded the area, creating the 15,000-acre Reelfoot Lake. With an average depth of 5.5 feet, it is one of the most unique places in the country to crappie fish. It has vegetation, wood cover and open water – deepest point about 18 feet – with submerged cover.
One fisherman who has spent decades fishing the lake is Jim Dant. The avid fisherman has competed in many regional and national tournaments and is sponsored by Bobby Garland and Grizzly Jig Company. Now fully retired, he splits time between the lake and his home in Illinois.
“This is a good time to fish,” says Dant. “The fish can be found anywhere in the lake, but the majority are in the pads where a lot of spawning has or is taking place. I fish the lily pads and cypress trees as soon as the water starts warming up.”
There are lily pads covering much of Reelfoot, but Dant says not all pads hold fish.
“Early water warmup puts fish into the mood to move shallow,” he said. “They will be in pads closest to the bank. A lot of fish spawn there in very shallow water, like one to two feet. However, it doesn’t take long before the fish start moving out to three to five feet deep water. That’s where I’m fishing in May. I’ll fish both the pads and the cypress trees, but in recent years the pads have been holding most of the fish. The fish stay in the pads through July.”
Systematically fishing the pads is important. Start with the outside edges and lone pads close to the group. From there, dip in the holes you can reach without getting too far into the pads. The last choice is to get deep into the pads. You will learn a pattern that you can use to find other fish. If fish are on the edges, it’s a good bet other edges will hold fish, too.
“I’m jigging. I use 10- and 11-foot Grizzly jig poles. I try to hit the outside edges and all the holes in the lily pads. I’ll also fish cypress trees I come by. I use a good 6-lb line, one that doesn’t create memory on the reel. Line memory will mess up presentations. My bait is a 1/24th-ounce Slab Slayer or Baby Shad jig in most situations. The weight gives a slow, natural fall that creates more bites. I use forward-facing sonar about 75 percent of the time. I can see the fish in the pads if I take my time. However, in the pads, a fisherman can fish just fine without the fancy electronics.
“If you are not catching fish, you can try in 6- to 8-foot depths, usually in late May and June. I’m looking for laydown trees and stumps. The big water can be good too, with 13-to-16-foot depths common with a mass of stumps and trees submerged.”
There are no major geographic features surrounding the lake so wind can be a problem, especially in the open areas on Reelfoot. Dant says to check the weather the night before and go to places that have a windbreak. For example, Green Island Point is good in a north wind, and Kirby Pocket with a south wind.
Wherever you go in a boat on Reelfoot, you should always go at idle speed, unless you are with a local who knows the water well and knows exactly where it is safe to run on plane. The lake, backed up from the nearby Mississippi River, inundated tens of thousands of cypress trees. Many have rotted and fallen, but their stumps remain beneath the water’s surface and they feast on props and lower units.
“I recommend a fisherman visiting the lake start at Kirby Pocket. Be sure to idle because there are thousands of stumps just under the surface. Navigation can be difficult. However, on a good day of fishing, you can likely catch 15 fish or more from the pads. You’ll catch an occasional two-pounder but there are a lot of 10- and 11-inch fish.”
Steve Coleman’s Tips for May
Steve Coleman, B’n’M Prostaffer, eight-time national champ and a guide at Reelfoot Lake (731-442-9152), says May is a great time to fish.
“It’s primarily the end of spawn but the fish are still in transition. Spawned fish are tired and most of the time they are hungry. For a visitor to the lake, just look for all the boats. Where you see boats is where the fish have been biting.
“The spawn continues to happen so a fisherman can catch both post-spawn and spawning crappie. My favorite spot is to find a log on bottom. You can catch eight or 10 good male crappie from one log. I use my (Humminbird) 360 to find the logs and stumps. If you have forward-facing sonar, you can pull up and pick the fish out. Those fish will bite every time.”
Coleman says an important part of his success is his BnM Ambush 24-foot retractable pole. “My reach is about 20 feet so I catch fish before they know I’m there. I keep the Ambush at about 11 or 12 feet, resting in my lap. If a fish is further out, I quickly slide out sections to make the pole longer. If a fish gets closer, I slide sections in.”
Things To Do in the Area
Nature abounds at Reelfoot. You can see the birds and wildlife from many locations around the lake. Viewing areas are available and wildlife roads are open year-round. There are many hiking trails to get exercise and see wildlife up close.
Pontoon boat tours of the lake are seasonally available. Also, the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center showcases a variety of hands-on exhibits that are fun for the family.
While at Reelfoot it is worth a drive into Tiptonville to see a huge grain silo painted with a massive bald eagle and American Flag. Known as Freedom Silo III, the massive artwork was painted by renowned muralist Farley Lewis and his son, Andrew. Katrina Greer, Director of the Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council said the creation of the landmark undertaking combined many individuals’ love of Reelfoot Lake and its rich history. It invites you to town but also sends a feeling of patriotism through your bones.
The Discovery Park of America is a 45-minute drive from the lake, but it is a family must-see-must-do. It includes a dinosaur hall, science and space halls, a large military gallery, train display, native American gallery, Stem landing, grounds and gardens with log buildings and demonstrations of old crafts, and many more displays and adventure opportunities.
An internet search can help you find campgrounds, cabins, lodges and nearby hotels. One of the most popular places to stay is Blue Bank Resort, offering a lakeside view, lodging, restaurant, bait, and experienced fishing/hunting guides – including well-known Head Guide at Blue Bank, Billy Blakely, who has been featured in dozens, if not hundreds, or articles, magazine and TV shows. If you visit in the winter, however, you might opt to go duck hunting with Billy rather than crappie fishing.
The largest crappie store in the country, the Grizzly Jig Company, is in Caruthersville, Missouri, a 40-minute drive from the lake.
Of course, Reelfoot Lake State Park provides a huge list of things to see and do while you’re there as well.
Whether you fish or not, Reelfoot is definitely worth adding to your “To Do” list. And if you are a crappie fisherman, it belongs on your “MUST DO” list.
Senior CrappieNOW writer and Legend of the Outdoors Hall of Fame member, Tim Huffman, has several books, including his newest, Papermouth, Modern Fishing Techniques, available in Kindle or paperback at Amazon, or link from his website, www.monstercrappie.com
