T.J. Petty is a fifth generation hunting and fishing guide on Reelfoot Lake. Petty grew up hunting and fishing the lake and has been a professional guide for the past 12 years. 

    Part of what makes fishing and hunting with Petty a special experience is the fact that part of Reelfoot Lake is named after Petty’s great, great, grandfather Henry “Coot” Baltezor; this part of the lake is called “Coot Slough.” Because of this family tradition Petty is steeped in experience and knows every section of the lake.

When duck-hunting with Petty, you will encounter many species of duck including pintails, mallards, wood duck, gadwalls and teal.

When fishing with Petty you will experience a “mecca” for crappie and bluegill.

Personal Hunting Philosophy

Big decoy spreads, lively duck calling and a “well-brushed” blind that sports both natural and man-made camouflage. We also incorporate a lot of movement with motorized equipment that includes “Robo” ducks and “feeders” that keep the water stirred up making it especially visible to ducks as they fly over. Bottom line: When the ducks come in, we’ll bring them to you.

Personal Fishing Philosophy

Crappie and bluegill are what it’s all about on Reelfoot Lake:

    When fishing for crappie we use big comfortable boats with spider rigging. Spider rigging is a rod holder that grips 12 to 15 rods; once set-up we slowly troll over rows of stumps to hook the big ones.

    When fishing for bluegill, we use fly-rods rigged with a float and small sinkers. From there it is all about fishing sunken tree tops and beds. Get ready for a good fight!