John's Journal...

Click to enlargeBILLY BLAKELY ON REELFOOT LAKE

Cast And Blast

EDITOR’S NOTE: Blue Bank Resort on Reelfoot Lake near Tiptonville, Tennessee, is in high gear in the fall, with anglers catching plenty of crappie, catfish and bass every day. Billy Blakely is the resort manager/chief guide and has been guiding on Reelfoot for 23 years.

QUESTION: Yesterday you mentioned a cast-and-blast trip. Can anyone come to Reelfoot Lake to duck hunt in the morning and fish in the afternoon?

Click to enlargeBLAKELY: Yes, they can. If we get our limit of ducks early, we’ll come back to the lodge, eat lunch and go fishing. If the duck hunting is slow, we can fish in the afternoon.

QUESTION: How well do the crappie bite in the winter?

BLAKELY: They bite very well. Taking a limit of ducks and crappie back to the lodge is not unusual.

QUESTION: How good is the bass fishing?

BLAKELY: During the winter months, the bass are in the pre-spawn season. The bass are feeding-up for their spawn and holding tight to cover. Flipping and pitching spinner baits are productive tactics at that time of year. Anyone can catch a limit of bass and take a limit of ducks in the same day.

Click to enlargeQUESTION: Are there many people who duck hunt in the morning and fish in the afternoon?

BLAKELY: Yes, we have a lot of folks who wear Mossy Oak camouflage to duck hunt at daylight and then fish with Mossy Oak Fishing Line in the afternoon.

QUESTION: How much more does fishing after going duck hunting cost?

BLAKELY: The lodge doesn’t charge anything extra. However, the customers usually pay their guides a little more. If you like hunting and fishing, you can do both in the same day.

QUESTION: What do you have to bring if you want to do both?

Click to enlargeBLAKELY: If you want to duck hunt and crappie fish, the boat is setup already. All you have to do is buy the minnows. If you want to bass fish, you will need to bring your own rods and tackle.

QUESTION: How many are in a party when you cast and blast?

BLAKELY: For duck hunting, we like to take four people. For fishing, we can take two to four people. When you go bass fishing, you can only have two people in the boat along with the guide. Our fish weigh anywhere from 1-to 2-1/2-pounds. There are plenty to be caught.

You can call – 1-877-Blue Bank or visit www.bluebankresort.com/ to learn more.


Check back each day this week for more about BILLY BLAKELY ON REELFOOT LAKE

Day 1: How To Fish For Crappie On Reelfoot Lake
Day 2: Jug Fishing
Day 3: Bassing On Reelfoot
Day 4: Ducks
Day 5: Cast And Blast

 

 

Entry 324, Day 5