Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Fishing Report

Reelfoot Lake Fishing Report March 2, 2010

The Crappie fishing season is here. Really!! Several reports from folks of the Crappie bite doing well on Reelfoot Lake last week and this week..

Last week, my friend Jeff Jackson of Union City had two really good days on Crappie at Reelfoot Lake. Jeff also indicated to me that on both days, he had to break up to 1/2 inch of ice to get across the lake where his best fishing took place. Once the sun came up strong and air temperatures warmed, the ice then melted away.

On Thursday, Jeff and Scott Fisher went out on the lower end of Reelfoot Lake ( Lower Blue Basin Area ), fished in around 15 ft water and caught 41 Crappie. Over half of their the fish were 1 lb fish.

They used rosey red minnows on double hook rigs. By 1:30 pm that afternoon, the ice had all melted away and you could fish wherever you wanted. Jeff indicated that he counted 97 boats within sight of where he was fishing.

Then on Friday, after finding the fish on Thursday, Jeff decided it would be a great opportunity to carry his dad, Wesley Jackson also of Union City. Mr. Jackson indicated to Jeff that he had never been winter fishing on Reelfoot Lake, ever. Well he has now and may want to go back.

Jeff said he and his dad got on Reelfoot around 8:45 AM last friday morning and had to break ice most of the way across. On Friday, Jeff said he and his dad counted 79 boats at around noon in the area they were fishing. Good reason to believe that the Crappie bite was once on again.

They brought home 51 Crappie that day with Mr. Wesley catching the largest Crappie of the day that tipped the scales at 2 pounds. Now folks that is what you call catching Crappie.

Jeff said, "Dad told me over and over all day how much fun he was having". Jeff went on to say, " It really was a fun time and we are both realizing the importance of spending time together while time allows". This was a trip that neither will ever forget and that my friends is what life is all about.

Speaking of spending time together with friends and family, just last week, my dad and I had the time of our lives.

My dad ( Lanny ) and I attended the 40th Anniversary 2010 BassMaster Classic that was held on Lay lake near Birmingham Alabama.

We went to cover this event on the media side and it being our first ever, it was a blast and trip to remember.

On March 5th, Friday late afternoon, Johnny Garrett and his staff at Union City Marine will be hosting a rep. from Humminbird Electronics to conduct a seminar on their products, mainly about the new side imaging sonar that Humminbird has.

This will be at 5:30 PM at the boat shop, free and open to the public. Seating will be limited so you might want to bring your own portable chair or possibly be prepared to stand.

Union City Marine is located at 206 North Second Street in Union City and for questions you call 731-885-2903,

The Ultimate Bass Fishing Challenge Bass Tournament Circuit plans a 5 tournament circuit at Reelfoot Lake this year. The first of the 5 tournaments will be on March 6th out of the Kirby Pocket State Park ramp.

Entry fee is $120 per boat with the Big bass pot and Classic fund included. Take off will be at safe light or around 6:15 AM. The weigh-in will start at 3 PM that day. Payouts will be 75% minimum of all apid entries.

Registration will be starting at 4:30 AM the morning of the tournament at Kirby Pocket.

For more information, you can e-mail Randy Sutton at randy@tubfc.com

Also, on Saturday, March 27th, 2010 the University of Tennessee at Martin Collegiate Bass Anglers Team will be hosting their 2nd Annual UTM Collegiate Bass Anglers Team Open Bass Tournament on Kentucky lake out of the Paris Landing State Park Marina.

Cost is $100 per boat with the Big Bass Pot an extra $10.

For more information on this tournament, you can contact Chris Collier at 931-797-5079 or John Overly at 731-881-7268.

Don't forget the National Weather Serivce will be hosting a weather spotting course on Wednesday, March 24th at the Obion County Public Library in Union City. You can contact the folks at the library for more information.

That's all for this weeks report. Continue to send us your stories and photos so we can share those with our readers.

Brent Callicott