where to go next spring to catch big bass?

[kentuckybasser]

i live in chicago and i'd like to make a trip south somewhere next spring, to catch big bass, i've never caught a bass over 5 pounds, can you guys suggest a lake with cabins, no further south then northern arkansas, miss., or alabama. i'd like to try lake fork, but a 13 drive is to far. thanks

[Bassin_Dude]

well, i would say florida, but thats to far. i dont have any suggestions now tho. one thing to remember, just because your going south doesnt mean you will catch big fish. if any at all. when scott and wtl went to the big ''o'', they didnt catch huge bass, they caught bass, but nothin huge. not tryin to get your hopes down, but just take that into consideration, and enjoy the time fishin, not tryin to get stressed over a big bass.

[kentuckybasser]

i don't need to catch the "fish of a lifetime". catching numbers would be fine, nothing wrong with 3-4 pounds, i'd just like to increase my chance of going to a lake that has big fish.

[zman]

A lot of times catching numbers is possible and so is targeting big fish, but both is a rare combination. Guntersville in known for really big bass, but as my most recent report attests to you have to hit it just right or it can be plain tough (and I've never hit it right, just seen those who have).

I guess what you need is a place that is relativly closer to home, so maybe Kentucky lake would be worth checking out - its on the tennessee river, probably has a good mix of decent fish with some numbers. Reelfoot lake might also be an option, or lake of the ozarks. The further south he goes, the larger the fish might get, but getting them is not a sure thing at all.


btw 02, I went to the big "k". ;D

[Bassin_Dude]

you went to kissimmee? i thought you hit the ''o''. i guess not.

[zman]

Kissimmee chain all the way, never got within a hundred miles of the o.

[Infisherman1]

I'd go with the kissimme chain in a heartbeat, but thats not an option I guess. So I'd have to say the tennessee river lakes. GUntersville, Logan Martin, and Pickwick. They are loaded with big bass and look pretty awesome to fish.
BTW, jraap, I'm from Chicago. Have you ever fished the Fox Chain?

[sabass]

Rodman would be about 3 hours closer than the Kissimee chain, and its known to be one of the top ten TROPHY BASS lakes in the country. Its not a numbers lake, but if you want to pull out a 12 pounder, its common at rodman, and if you want a shot at the world record, there are a couple in rodman.

[macgyver]

http://www.Alabamalakes.com

Call Larry and set up a trip with him. He can take you to Guntersville and several other lakes. When you hire a guide, you are hiring someone who fishies for a Living, and knows where and how to catch the fish. Yes the weather will have a great impact on fishing, but if you were out by yourself with cold fronts coming in or there, you will probably have a tough time catching 1 fish. Hire a guide, and let them take you to the fish. If going in the summer perhaps a night fishing trip would be best. But I still say wherever you go hire a REPUTABLE GUIDE. It is usually money well spent.

Lizards

[jdkc]

Well I live down here in Southern Missouri. A lot of people favor Lake of the Ozarks. Also, Bull Shoals, Truman, and Table Rock, etc...

[kentuckybasser]

looking at guntersville, anyone ever stay on the lake? cabin/cottage?

[zman]

I live 45 fast minutes from the lake (the way I drive), so I've never had to stay there...but there are cabins at lake Guntersville state park. Alabama state parks are normally a good deal, I've stayed in both the cabins and the lodge at wheeler and that is very nice so I'd expect the same deal at guntersville.

If you go there the best advice I can give you is to get a guide for the first day. Its a tough lake to learn if you are fishing alone or with other newbies to the lake. Larry (the lakeguide) has a good rep, so does Troy Jens - and there are several others who guide there. Also check out the bass fishing home page and Kerry Grissetts north alabama board for reports prior to going:


http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/

http://home.hiwaay.net/~ksgrisse/wwwboard/wwwboard.htm

[danrw84]

Making my second trip to Table Rock in less than 2 weeks. Kimberling City has a lot of campground/cottage type areas right on the lake. You can get packages that include boats, bait, ice etc. Just look up the lake on the web and you'll run across one of the sites.

In kentucky there is a lake called Cave Run lake and last summer me and my girlfriend caught 126 bass and over 500 crappie. They have cabbins and boat rintals so I would say check it out.

[kentuckybasser]

muskies in cave run also, right?

[basscat29]

In kentucky there is a lake called Cave Run lake and last summer me and my girlfriend caught 126 bass and over 500 crappie. They have cabbins and boat rintals so I would say check it out.

[OhioBass]

[quote author=bass_master_3000 link=board=MessBoards;num=1116881691;start=0#15 date=06/01/05 at 20:13:22]In kentucky there is a lake called Cave Run lake and last summer me and my girlfriend caught 126 bass and over 500 crappie. They have cabbins and boat rintals so I would say check it out.[/quote]
What Part Of KY?

[Bassin_Dude]

bass, that is what andrew just said.

[basscat29]

yea there is muskies and it is in rown county. I am andrew roark just knot sighned in.

[sabass]

If you want big bass you gotta go to Mexico, pronounced, Mehico, Lake El Salto will guarentee to make your arms sore from fighten big bass all day long. Â*MAybe even a record. One day I'll make that trip.