Looking into heading south in winter to get on some fish. Crappies sound good. As far south to get open water, but not a 20 hour drive either. Some very nice BNBs in SW MO, anyone fish that area in February/March? Is there ice down there that time of year? I don’t mind wearing bibs and a sweater.
Anyone else interested? 6-10 Idoers shacked up chasing crappies during the day and BSing at night sounds like a nice reprieve from this upcoming winter.
I’ll go, sounds like a perfect winter escape.
Not sure if you’re planning on hauling your own boat down south?
However, I’ve seen ads in Midwest Outdoors for resort package deals at Reelfoot Lake, TN during Feb/March.
Package deals include lakefront lodging, boat, motor, gas, bait and ice. Crappie, LMB, catfish…I would expect good fishing there.
Located in NW Tennessee which I think would be close to same distance give or take as SW Missouri.
Just thought I’d throw that out, I myself have entertained ideas of something similar just for a change up.
Glad you brought up those resorts andy, they are intriguing and have nice prices for packages. Some specials have lodge and boat less than $300 for 3day 3 night.
This is all of course dependent on covid restrictions, I sure do hope it’s good at that time for traveling. I’d much rather plan for the glass half full then half empty.
Glad you brought up those resorts andy, they are intriguing and have nice prices for packages. Some specials have lodge and boat less than $300 for 3day 3 night.
This is all of course dependent on
covidrestrictions, I sure do hope it’s good at that time for traveling. I’d much rather plan for the glass half full then half empty.
I have been semi interested in those resort deals down there, especially just to try a very different fishing experience…particularly that time of year.
Also with those arrangements you’d not have to worry about bringing your own boat. They’d have one tied to the dock waiting for you to load n go. Plus I’m sure they’d tell you everything you’d need to know as far as locations, methods..etc.
I didn’t want to mention the possible “restrictions” as that is a taboo topic here now. 
I could get goaded into a trip like that, but still would like to take my own boat. Course unless there boats are fully rigged with newer depth finders like SI etc. Depending on which lake as there are some HUGE ones down there.
Weiss lake Alabama, guided trip with fishbait charters. Joe Hester 256-504-0173, crappie fishing and also guides for strippers. Great trip, known as crappie capital of the world.we went first week in March two years ago but fishing good before and after.
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Weiss lake Alabama, guided trip with fishbait charters. Joe Hester 256-504-0173, crappie fishing and also guides for strippers. Great trip, known as <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>crappie capital of the world.we went first week in March two years ago but fishing good before and after.
Hard to tell but what size are those crappies
Alabama little far for this guy. Thanks for intel tho gobbler
All over 10″ as lake has a minimum 10″.good amount of 14″
I’ve thought about a trip like this also. I’ve looked at Kansas for a crappie/hyprid/catfish outing. I think there are several reservoirs in NE Kansas that would be good, there are a few that have resorts on the lake as well.
Put out a feeler on Crappie.com in the Missouri forum have received a PM from one guy more then willing to help out with the fishing. He may even have a couple of guys if we bring our own boats to take us out. It is a start anyway, he is going to send some pics of there last years February fishing. If I can I will post up pictures here when I get them.
Put out a feeler on Crappie.com in the Missouri forum have received a PM from one guy more then willing to help out with the fishing. He may even have a couple of guys if we bring our own boats to take us out. It is a start anyway, he is going to send some pics of there last years February fishing. If I can I will post up pictures here when I get them.
Good to know. Keep the info coming.
Kentucky Lake seems to be a popular destination I see on TV regularly. I think its part of the Tennessee River along the Missouri/Tennessee border.
I second the Reelfoot lake trip. I lived and worked there for a year and a half, bought another boat to fish it, and it is outstanding for large crappie, as is that time of year/ end of march. It is 9.5 hrs or so from Omaha and right over the border. Nice lodging in the area too.
Check out Bull Shoals
Pre-Kid sports, I made annual trips to Reelfoot lake.
Great fishing all winter, either trailer your own boat or get a package deal.
Just watch out for cottonmouth snakes if fishing around the duck blinds.
I live in Western Missouri, please google Truman Lake. That’s where you want to be. They held the Crappie Masters tourney there last year or 2019. World class crappie and big hybrids. Take a look.
I live in Western Missouri, please google Truman Lake. That’s where you want to be. They held the <em class=”ido-tag-em”>Crappie Masters tourney there last year or 2019. World class crappie and big hybrids. Take a look.
What’s the weather like Feb? Is it even a concern of ice and not having boat access? I have no clue, thanks for the info.
I’d be interested.
Tennessee has a bit of bourbon…so I’ve heard.
In February I doubt there would be ice but it’ll be cold. Probably in the 40s-50s.
I’ve never fished it that month. March on the other hand can be very good fishing and we can have temps up into the 70s.
April really is when Crappie fishing shines in Missouri, but I know you want to go earlier.
40s and 50s is shorts weather up here!!
Really appreciate the info.
Check out Bull Shoals
Or Table Rock lake.You will have a better chance of it being warmer.It stays open,ice is rare.In the coldest weather some bays may get skim ice,but it does not last.
I would be willing to pull my boat. And more then willing to find good whiskey
I would also be interested to head down about February, I will probably have had 40 days of ice fishing by then and would love to to see some open water. And like previously mentioned 50 degrees is shorts weather.
I was out today catching crappies with livescope. It is really cheating. I wonder if the south crappies are as easy to find and catch?
A couple guys I know go to Lake of the Ozarks 1st week of April and they do well on the crappies. Lots of condos to rent right on the water.
I still want to do this trip if any one else wants to go as well.
We went to a smaller lake in Missouri last year while traveling, we didn’t fish but there was 2 old timers fishing off the docks. They caught 3 crappies while we were talking and they acted like these 14 15 inch crappies were a nuisance
Warmer than Minnesota would be the case. But not necessarily warm. I’ve had snow in the boat in SW Missouri and Reelfoot in March. My brother lives in Springfield Mo. Wife and I went mid-April for most of 20 years. Till mid-April crappies are deep and can be caught. But some time near Tax Day. The water hits the mid 60’s and it gets good. Truman is a good lake. But my experience, even pre-covid. By the end of the January outdoor shows. Everything on Truman is booked up for the good spring dates. So, if you’re interested, I wouldn’t wait.
The Corp lakes in the Ozarks were unbelievable in the 60’sand 70’s. When my brother moved there in the 70’s. Most of them you could catch limits over 2# average. With 3and 4# fish. Now the trees are disappearing. With the lack of shallow water and structure. Crappies are more predictable and vulnerable. The local and much of the tourist culture. Is anything less than a limit every day is a failure. These lakes may be the canary in the coal mine. To see the effects modern electronics can have.
If you’re thinking a group and Reelfoot. There were lots of mobile homes for rent when I was there.
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