Reelfoot lake?

[dkprofishn]

Has anyone ever been to reelfoot lake and if so could you give some info on the lake and how to fish it . Me and some family are going there for a few days at the first of may im a big bass fisherman but I'm afraid they will be on the beds then I might have to fish for something else any info would be great thanks.

[first2fish]

i dont know much about the lake but i was going to take the family there for a few days a couple of years ago and canceled after hearing about the population of snakes around the lake.

[creekrock]

Well i dont bass fish much but i can tell you this about the lake .Since the bottom is all mud and silt the bass spawn in the roots of cypress trees.Ive been there 10 times and never had any problem with snakes.99 % of the snakes you see are water snakes that are harmless.It's kind of a myth about snakes crawlin everywhere.

[00SKEETER]

I'm sure if you want to fish for bass you will be fine. Not every bass will be on the beds at that time.

If you do go I would strongly suggest you rent a boat and not take your own if you have a nice fiberglass bass rig. Stumps everywhere. Oh and don't forget about the snakes. You may see one or two while you're there.

[noochie35]

Been to Reelfoot each of the last two years. First year we cause several bluegrill in the 1 pound range. There are a lot of those there. The average depth of the lake is about 4 feet so i would not recommend taking a nice boat. There are a lot of stumps. We caught a slab crappie as well. Last year we went and the lake was flooded. We caught all the catfish we wanted on that trip. The best thing about the lake is that you only need to fish a foot or two deep to catch big fish. We saw some snakes, but not a lot of them.

[dkprofishn]

Thanks guys for the info I will be renting a boat and I don't let too many snakes bother me I will post a report when I come back .

[Bronze_Back]

Been there and took my Fiberglass Bass Boat. Big mistake. Rent a Reelfoot boat as 00Skeeter said you will understand why when you get there. All the trees are cut off about 12" - 18" below the water line and the water is tea colored so you cant see them under the water. Also bent my trolling motor shaft about 5 or 6 times and ruined it. And one more thing and this is the most important, if the wind starts blowing and everyone disappears get out of there fast because your a fixin to see the bottom, and I'm not talking about sinking you will really see the bottom and then you will see all around you the cut off trees as well as the steel fence posts drove in the bottom to tie off the duck blinds too. Snakes can be the least of your problems there. On the positive side it is a very interesting and beautiful place to be as long as the wind isn't blowing hard. Good Luck.

[LMBC_WeighMaster]

I have been there twice. Reelfoot is a great crappie fishery and they actually have a commercial crappie boat on the lake at times. Our first time there my buddy caught a 5.25 lbs largemouth on a chartreuse chatterbait, while I caught a 3-4 lbs largemouth on a 7" worm. Fish the creeks or cuts that run through the swampy land sections or stick near the points for the best bass. At least that's what we found.

Bluegill are also plentiful and of good quality. It's the northern most cypress swamp in north america and a great place to fish. The stumps can be a pain, but hey they keep pleasure craft to a minimum so you can fish.

Water depth in my experience was between 8-10 feet, with some deeper spots, and some shallow. Just depends where you are on the lake. Buy a good map and you'll be fine.