Boyette's Resort

We invite you to come and visit us. Make your arrangements for one day or as many as you like. We strive to make your accommodations for you at any time you would like to visit Reelfoot Lake......
"You choose the time."

We offer packages, however you do not have to take a package you can bring your own boat or rent one from Bo's Landing which is about 1/4 mile from me. There are several boat ramps & cleaning stations in the area.

 

Owner: Judy Capps 1-888-465-6523

 
 
    Reelfoot Fishing    
 

If you haven't fished on Reelfoot Lake, you have been missing out on some of the best crappie fishing in the world!


Catch of the Day

You can use my online form to obtain a fishing license.
CLICK HERE!

   
   

World Record CrappieWorld Record Crappie

THESE CRAPPIE WERE CAUGHT BY 4 TIME CHAMPS RONNIE CAPPS & STEVE COLEMAN AT GRENADA LAKE MISSISSIPPI. THESE CRAPPIE ARE THE NEW WORLD RECORD STRINGER OF 10 CRAPPIE WEIGHING IN AT 25.83 ,LARGEST ONE WEIGHING IN AT 3.18.

   
   

 

Information: Crappie Migrations

Beginning with Fall / Winter fishing: I consider this period to be from the end of the post-spawn migration in early summer until the pre-spawn migration begins during early spring. In the Southeast, this covers several months, from June through February, which is when most fishermen store their crappie rods and resort to some other type of angling. Actually there are predictable habits that Crappie have during this 9 month period that can keep the action HOT for Crappie anglers every time a boat is launched. This is known as the "Nine Month Disappearance" to many less devoted anglers, but can be some of the best Crappie action of the year.

To be successful during these months there are several factors to consider. The first being aware that conditions are very different on a reservoir system where there is no water flow. From my experience these systems will consistently present different conditions for finding fish.

In the reservoir system when Crappie conclude spawning there is a much more defined migration to deeper water as compared to an inland lake. In reservoirs, Crappie typically return via creek ledges to areas where "staging" occurred during the pre-spawn period. This is more often than not the first Substantial deep water along their return migration route. Crappie return to these areas a few at a time and some of the more preferred " staging" sites will accumulate crappie in numbers comparable to the numbers present at peak pre-spawn. The difference being that, these fish are generally " Worn Down" from the spawn and not as excited about expending energy to take a bait. It seems that "Spoon-feeding" appropriately describes the technique needed to sack slabs during this period of inactivity. This period only lasts a few weeks, typically beginning in the Southeast during mid-May and lasting until July.

Spoon-feeding requires that you down size your bait to 1/16th oz, 1/24th oz, or 1/32oz sizes depending on the depth as compared to the 1/8th oz. Larger sizes can be used more successfully during Winter and through the pre-spawn period. The addition of some proven scent is very important during this period. Crappie Nibbles or Power Grubs are my personal favorites. I also prefer monofilament line in the 4 to 6 pound strengths which has a moderate amount of stretch. Also, fishing speed is very important and should be decreased as compared to the speed that would be used during pre-spawn / spawn. By down sizing, this restricts you to a smaller coverage area and requires that you be more accurate in locating a specific area of fish and have patience with that particular area.

As the warmer weather continues into July, Crappie regain strength and activity, but disperse themselves into smaller secluded schools. These areas are typically in deeper waters of 17 to 28ft. and directly related to structure. These areas are generally referred to as "post-spawn hideouts." Areas such as this are typically found along secondary creek ledges near intersections with the deeper river in reservoirs. When Crappie congregate in these areas this can be some of the better activity of the year for devoted Crappie Anglers who explore the depths with quality electronics. This period typically lasts from late June through the end of August in the Southeast.
As water temperatures begin to cool in September, Crappie tend to make a second migration to shallow water, but skip the "staging" ritual. Many fish move out and scatter on flats, or humps with water depths of 10 to 16ft. and feed on the young of the year bait fish such as Threadfin, Shad, and Silversides. During this period, depending on water clarity, Crappie may move as shallow as 4ft. in significant numbers. Continued decreases in water temperatures as a result of fewer hours of daylight trigger bait fish to spend less and less time being surface active. This also directly affects Crappie in that they begin their very slow migration back into deeper waters. Through my experiences this period in the Southeast spans from mid- September through mid- November and typically comes to an end after the first frost. By the time the first "pond ice" arrives, Crappie have migrated to deeper water areas that may have been productive areas during the Summer / post-spawn.

As water cools even more, a deep water pattern of structure fishing remains in effect through the entire Winter with some of the best possibilities of sacking a lake record Crappie during the months of December, January, and February. Typically during this period a larger bait tends to attract more attention. Line sizes and bait weights can be increased, but the speed of presentation must remain slow. Another secret to catching Winter Crappie requires paying attention to weather. On overcast days, fish will remain deep near bottom or the structure they may be relating to, however a clear calm sunshiny day may cause Crappie to migrate vertically and suspend over deep water as shallow as 6ft. which is commonly ignored by many fishermen during Winter.

So the tell is that, Crappie is not a season sport but an all year sport for the devoted Crappie Angler. Those that go year around know what I am talking about and for those of you that just fish come Spawn time you are really missing out on the best of times.

 

News: 2005 Crappie Classic

Evan Jones, Banner Editor 2005 Crappie Classic

For Reelfoot Lake's Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman, it doesn't get much better than this.
At least in terms of professional crappie fishing.
Last weekend the duo captured the Cabela's Crappie USA Classic at Patoka Lake near Jasper, Indiana for their fifth national crappie title.
And it was their fifth tournament win this year.
Their total earnings for 2005 on the profession crappie tour are an amazing $163,200 including three Ranger boat, motor and trailer rigs, four Suzuki 4 X 4 ATVs with matching tilt trailer and four Knight muzzle loading rifles.
And the fire still seems to burn brightly for the pair.
“This is the best year we ever had,” said Capps, 38, who is the TWRA officer for Dyer County. Coleman, 42, is an officer at Northwest Correction Complex. Together they have become a duo synonymous with excellence in crappie fishing.
“This was probably the most exciting tournament win we have had,” said Capps.
The team led wire to wire at Lake Patoka where crappie were hard to come by. They led the first day with a seven fish total weight of 7.12 pounds.
Their winning total was 13.80 pounds beating out a Florida team that weighed in 12.12.
“The weather was in the fifties at night and the mid-eighties during the day. We like the clear days. It was clear the first day and then cloudy and overcast the second.
“That lake was a tough lake. It had like a million fish but they were all five or six inches.
“The first day we used the classic Reelfoot style, dragging double rigs in about 12 or 13 feet of water.
“The second day we ran 50 miles up river and fished out of a canoe with one pole, tight line with a slip float. I used a skulling paddle with my left hand just like we used to do at Reelfoot.
“We pre-fished the lake and located some fish there. There were not a lot of them but they were huge. We had planned from the start to drag the first day and then go to the timber.
“That second day we were fishing along some standing timber along a creek bed. There were some good fish there. All the other teams were looking for us.”
Other tournaments they have won this year are Neely-Henry Lake, Alabama; Kentucky Lake; Pickwick Lake, Alabama; Fort Gibson Lake, Oklahoma; and Pickwick Lake, Mississippi.
They have been named 2005 Team of the Year by Bass Pro Shop Crappiemasters (National Points Champions) and Team of the Year 2005 Cabela's Crappie USA.
They will fish the Bass Pro Crappiemasters Classic on Oct. 12-15 and defend their national title next year at Pickwick.

   
 

Reelfoot Lake Bass Fishing

RONNIE CAPPS CAUGHT THESE NICE BASS JUNE  3,2003  WHILE FISHING REELFOOT , HE WAS USING A BILLY PHILLIPS BUZZ JEWEL THAT CAN BE PURCHASED AT HOMESTEAD IN DYERSBURG ,TENN. ASK FOR ANDY SEAT IN SPORTING GOODS.

   

 

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