Live Bait

[Quillback]

It's been 3 years since I've used any bait, not that I have anything against it and I'll use it again in the future. Just mainly have been bass fishing, except for a couple of trips to Sardis MS to catch crappie and we pulled plugs to catch those. Maybe next spring I'll get some redworms and catch some bluegill and redear, we've got some good ones in the Bella Vista lakes.

[MOPanfisher]

I grew up when crappie fishing meant a styrofoam bucket or picnic cooler full of minners. Catfish on trotlines or jug lines meant small bluegill caught usually with the top half of a broken fishing rod, tiny hook and piece of a worm. Heck catching the bait was as fun as the rest. Any more I am too lazy to use live bait, I will however on occasion tip a walleye jig with a juicy nightcrawler, or hook a small crawfish on hook and send him to his death under a rootwad in the river.

[MOsmallies]

After seeing that monster smallmouth that Blazerman's wife caught on a minnow, I'll be trying some next weekend on the Jack's Fork/Current float we are going on. Got to get me some 2L bottles to make a trap.

Please use a circle hook to minimize the chance of gut hooking... Good luck

[moguy1973]

Please use a circle hook to minimize the chance of gut hooking... Good luck

Yep, have some in my box already.

[exiledguide]

Reelfoot use to have some real hog Blue Gills in it.

Still does. Great crappie, Largemouth and Catfish lake. It may be the best fishing lake I've ever been on. It's just never fished in tournaments or TV fishin shows because it's not pretty and only an idiot would try to put a fiberglass Bass Boat in those cypress knees. Best fished out off a tin boat with a small outboard.

[Quillback]

My granddad, who lived in Kennett MO, used to fish Reelfoot back in the 60's. There wasn't a bridge over the Mississippi nearby at the time so they'd take a ferry across the river, if I recall, they brought their outboard, but rented a boat. They'd go over in the evening, fish all night, all the next day then come home. They'd catch a lot of fish (crappie and bream) but would always complain that on average the fish were a bit small. I never have fished it, but I've heard lots of stories.

[MOsmallies]

Yep, have some in my box already.

Awesome... Anytime I use circle hooks for wacky rigged baits or catfishing, I usually have to remind myself not to set the hook like normal. Just lift your rod tip and reel. They'll hook themselves. You probably already knew this, but my brain forgets and i usually miss my first couple bites because of it.

[Greasy B]

Still does. Great crappie, Largemouth and Catfish lake. It may be the best fishing lake I've ever been on. It's just never fished in tournaments or TV fishin shows because it's not pretty and only an idiot would try to put a fiberglass Bass Boat in those cypress knees. Best fished out off a tin boat with a small outboard.

Hands down the most productive fishery I have ever been on. It would love to see a Reelfoot category on this forum.

Back to the bait question as it relates to this lake. I spend the better part of May and June every year fly fishing for Bluegill, I try to spend one or two weekends on Reelfoot during this period but darn if I haver caught a single Bluegill on a fly there. Best I can tell it can't be done. Bait or bream buster jigs are the only way.

[LittleRedFisherman]

My granddad, who lived in Kennett MO, used to fish Reelfoot back in the 60's. There wasn't a bridge over the Mississippi nearby at the time so they'd take a ferry across the river, if I recall, they brought their outboard, but rented a boat. They'd go over in the evening, fish all night, all the next day then come home. They'd catch a lot of fish (crappie and bream) but would always complain that on average the fish were a bit small. I never have fished it, but I've heard lots of stories.

It a super fishery for sure. Catfish is another species it's full of to, got friends that go over there and wear them out. Your grandfather was nearly my neighbor, i'm just across the river from Kennett, i'm over there almost daily. I bet he knew about the ST. Francis river flatheads as well....

[Mark]

I like fishing live bait. I feel so ashamed and dirty.