Realfoot a Chance to Real Fishing

Once a month in this column I will write about an outdoors location within 300 miles of the Kentuckiana area. These destination will offer readers the best seasonal fishing and hunting opportunities I can find within reasonable driving distance. This month, I want to write about Reelfoot Lake in northwestern Tennessee.

Reelfoot is a wonderful destination for those seeking large Bluegill, Crappie and Largemouth Bass fishing. Located just 280 miles from the Kentuckiana area, Reelfoot is hard to beat for the panfish enthusiast who desires lots of action, especially if kids are making the trip with you.

The hottest fishing activity starts just about now (mid-March) and runs through mid-June. Look for the Crappies to be the stars until mid-April and the Bluegill to get real top billing in May and June. The bass fishing is quite consistent throughout this entire period with the typical pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn patterns working well.

If Reelfoot Lake has any one real claim to fame however, it's BLUEGILLS. There is something about this very fertile body of water that allows it to consistently produce limit catches of big 'Gills. Worms, crickets, small jigs tipped with waxworms, and small minnows will all yield heavy stringers of these sought after panfish.

According to Tony White, owner of Blue Banks and Cypress Point Resorts near Tiptonville, Tenn., Reelfoot has an interesting history. IN 1811, a series of large earthquakes rumbled along the New Madrid fault, which runs below where Reelfoot Lake is now located. These earthquakes pushed water backwards in the Mississippi River and created Reelfoot. The lake covers about 12,000 acres and is studded with cypress trees and boasts abundant weed cover and lily pad beds.

When the Bluegills are spawning, or "bedding" as the natives call it, most 'Gillers have their best luck fishing in 4 to 9 feet of water amongst the cypress stumps and along the edges of the weed beds. Interestingly enough, the Bluegills in Reelfoot spawn from late April all the way through August.

In order to locate Reelfoot on a road map, follow the western Kentucky parkway toward Paducah. Then follow the Purchase parkway past Mayfield and on down into Tennessee. There are two towns on either side of Reelfoot Lake: Tiptonville on the west, and Samburg on the east.

Reelfoot Lake is the home of many fine resorts, most of which offer reasonably priced weekend packages for groups and families. Blue Bank and Cypress Point Resorts are both top-notch destinations and can be reached at (901) 253-8976.

If you go, have a great time, drive safely, and God bless.