Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Fishing Report

Reelfoot Lake Fishing Report March 4, 2010

I want to start out reminding everyone that if you have not already bought your new fishing licenses for the 2010 season, it is time to purchase those now, your old ones have expired.

You can do so at most local sporting good stores or online.

Speaking of your fishing and hunting licenses, my dad and I recently had a old piece of history given to us by a friend. Danny Mosier, a friend of our ran across a copy of a 1931-32 Tennessee Game and Fish Laws handbook. WOW!! You should see some of the prices of things back then. I could fish for several years on what just one year cost me now. Thanks Danny, we have cherished this handbook from the past in many ways and appreciate you thinking of us.

As for the fishing report, this past week, the Crappie fishing has slowed down a bit compared to what it has been.

Cool northeastern winds and heavy cloud cover has made for some really cool fishing conditions but the warm weather is just about here. It has warmed a few degrees compared to the first of the week.

My dad ( Lanny ) and one of his fishing buddies, R.C. Crews, both of Union City went on Monday not having the best of luck. I think from what they indicated and with my first trip of the year as well chasing the Bass, well lets just say it was a little on the slow side.

Dad reported that they didn't see many Crappie being caught or talked with very many that had caught very many either. I guess they can't bite great everyday or there wouldn't be any left to catch.

As I stated, I Bass fished on Monday also boating just one bass around 4 pounds. I had enough of old man winter so I made up my mind several days before that no matter how the weather was, it wasn't going to stop me from going this day. Cloudy and cool conditions made for a long day but when I boated that first Bass of 2010, I had the fever once again and stayed tuned in until I left around 3 PM that day.

I will be back and I have many other chances ahead, I hope. My day will come soon.

Just to give you an idea, just last weekend on Kentucky Lake out of the Birdsong Marina, it took almost 28 pounds to claim first place in a open buddy bass tournament. That is 5 bass folks...man, now that is what you call "catchin' bass".

I would like to pass along some information on area bass tournaments that are scheduled for the Reelfoot and Kentucky Lake areas.

The Ultimate Bass Fishing Challenge Tournament Circuit plans a 5 tournament circuit on Reelfoot Lake this year, something new.

The first of the 5 tournaments will be tomorrow, Saturday, 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 aroun d 6:15 AM. The weigh-in will start at 3 PM that day. Payouts will be 75% minimum of all paid 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

On Saturday, April, 3rd, the Annual Reelfoot Lake Buddy BassTournament will be held on Reelfoot Lake out of the Kirby Pocket State Park Ramp area on Hwy 22 just outside of Samburg heading towards Union City.

This is the longest and largest running buddy bass tournament held on Reelfoot Lake each year. Entry fee is $80 per boat with a guaranteed payback 1st through 3rd places of $1500. This also includes the Big Bass Pot.

This tournament is hosted by the Reelfoot Lake Bass Club in Union City.

For more information, you can contact Gordon Fox, 731-885-5541, Rick Kelly at 731-885-2029 or Brent Callicott at 731-446-3678 or e-mail brentcallicott@gmail.com . More on this event as the weeks follow.

Then on Saturday, April 17th, the Annual Walk Of Hope Buddy Bass Tournament will be held on Reelfoot Lake out of Kirby Pocket area. Entry fee is $80 per boat and includes the Big Bass pot. For more information on this event, you can contact Dave Bragg at 731-446-6759 or Travis Johnson at 731-446-8724. More information will be posted in the up coming weeks.

The University of Tennessee at Martin Collegiate Bass Fishing Team will be hosting their 2nd Annual Open Buddy Bass Tournament on Kentucky Lake out of the Paris Landing State Park Marina and Ramp area. This will be on Saturday, March 27th with the entry fee for this event at $100 per boat The Big Bass pot will be an extra $10.

Blast off will be at safe light and for more information, you can contact Chris Collier at 931-797-5079 or John Overby at 731-881-7268. Registration will take place up until 5:30 AM the morning of the tournament with a manditory meeting starting at 5:45 AM prior to the tournament.

The following may not be about fishing or hunting but it does matter when it come to spending time in the outdoors.

The National Weather Service out of the Memphis office will be conducting a Advanced Weather Spotters Course at the Obion County Public Library on Wednesday, March 24th at 6:30 PM. For more information, you can call Bill Dahnke at the library at 731-885-7000. This is free and open to the public.

That's all for this weeks report...

Til next week..

Catch ya on the water folks..

Brent Callicott