Where should I move to?

[Smokinal]

So, let's say, hypothetically, my wife and I wanted to move from Maine to ??? after our second son moves out. Where would you choose where the temps don't get too hot, nor too cold and the bass fishing (smallies or Larries) is great. We are both a little tired of the winters here but wouldn't want Florida either. Most importantly though, the fishing in the area must be good with lot's of water options. I know I'm asking a lot and I also know I'm very spoiled here as the fishing is phenomenal and there are lakes/ponds in every single town; just thinking.

And we would prefer the small-town feel as well. We live in a town with around 22,000 and most surrounding towns are smaller than that.

Am I dreaming here?

 

[A-Jay]

Seems like Every locale has is good & perhaps not so good situations; whether it be the population (or lack of), the weather, along with a virtually endless list of things that are so very different from person to person. 

Great green bass fishing is often found in the warmer areas, stellar smallmouth habitat is often located is perhaps cooler places.  Add in cost of living, employment or income potential, and whatever else may be higher on ones priority list (besides the fishing) and you certainly have your work cut out for you looking for The Best of it all.

Then there's always the idea of leaving family & friends behind.   As a career military human, I always hated that part.

Good Luck to you and perhaps keep in mind - The Grass is Always Greener  . . . . .

btw - might be a good idea to pick a decent place close to an airport - frequent trips to great fishing isn't all that bad of a plan either.

A-Jay

[DINK WHISPERER]

GA

[Catt]

For both smallmouth & largemouth you're probably looking at the Tennessee, Kentucky, & Virginia areas.

[J Francho]

Virginia would be my choice.

[moguy1973]

Branson.

 

Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Beaver, and Taneycomo.  Best of all worlds.  Weather is decent for most of the year.

[RichF]

I'm in VA right now...deal with the winter and move to Northern NY!

[WRB]

Vacation trips to various locations is your solution.

Northern and central California has several small towns near excellent bass fishing for both species, the down side is cost of living is high. Paradise is a small retirement town close to Chico and about 1 hour drive to Sacramento airport. Black Butt, Bullards Bar and Oroville lakes are close, the Delta is nearby and lake Berryessa with countless small lakes in the area.

There are several small towns along highway 49 in the foothills of Northern California that fit your needs. The weather is ideal, the cost of living is the down side.

Tom

[TOXIC]

I'm in Virginia and will be retiring soon.  I am not staying here but I live closer to DC than I like and the cost of living is terribly high.  Rural Virginia is much better.  I am looking farther South.  I want to go where I can hide from winter, live on a lake and have some privacy.  

PS

 

Sooner than later now that they have made RT 66 a toll road.  

[Gundog]

Tennessee around Lake Chickamauga. I hear its great fishing. Lots of big bass. Smallmouths and largemouths can both be found along with striped bass.

[12poundbass]

How about being a "snow bird"? If there's a budget you could do it reasonably inexpensive. I live next to a campground and there's a bunch of "snow birds", who live in campers (most are a little better than your average camper) for a few months, leave it there and head south. 

 

If there were that perfect place where the weather was good all year without some sort of drawback it would be over populated and extremely expensive to live there. 

 

In Michigan our winters are basically half the year, we had what seemed like a 2 week fall and that's it. Winters get old. Spring is great, summers are too but there are times where the humidity is enough to suffocate you and it does get in the mid 90's for a bit. That's Michigan. The further south you go the less the winter but the hotter and more humid you get. You go west it gets drier, hotter, like @Bluebasser86 has said the wind never stops, and the lakes aren't as frequent as the are east of the Mississippi. 

 

Something to think about. 

[Chance_Taker4]

18 minutes ago, Gundog said:

Tennessee around Lake Chickamauga. I hear its great fishing. Lots of big bass. Smallmouths and largemouths can both be found along with striped bass.

I second this. That is my vacation spot

[12poundbass]

47 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

The Grass is Always Greener  . . . . .

It is? ?

[fishballer06]

I'd vote the Carolina's, Georgia, or the Tennesse/Kentucky region. Lots of quality lakes in those states.

[Turtle135]

If you like catching smallmouth bass shaped like footballs from moving water pick one of the nice little towns north of Harrisburg, PA on the banks of the Susquehanna River.

 

[j bab]

Here in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area is a decent option. Lots of good lakes for both smallmouth and largemouth. My buddy has caught an 8lb and a 9lb largie this year, and 20+lb bags of smallies can be caught in some lakes here. We even have stripers and paddlefish.

[Junger]

NC

[scaleface]

  the Ozarks .

[Gundog]

17 minutes ago, Turtle135 said:

If you like catching smallmouth bass shaped like footballs from moving water pick one of the nice little towns north of Harrisburg, PA on the banks of the Susquehanna River.

 

There ain't no fish in that muddy old creek. Nothing to look at here. Move along. @Turtle135 Exnay on the ishesnay.

[Steveo-1969]

I have no suggestions, but when you find this perfect weather/fishing locale and move there can I live in your basement/garage/spare room?  For free?  And go fishing with you every day?  I can tie my own knots and take off my own fish...

[Choporoz]

I'm undergoing a similar search....wife wants 4 seasons....I hate winter.   Taxes is a big consideration for me that you didn't mention.   We drew circles on maps and made some weekend trips....one visit to Eastern TN and we were both sold.  Still a few years off, but I don't think we'll change our minds.

[pondbassin101]

2 hours ago, Smokinal said:

but wouldn't want Florida either

Keep it that way. Winters are beautiful down here, but summertime is absolutely brutal. Great bass fishing and all, but no brown ones. Do whatever everyone else said 

[Bassin' Brad]

In some ways I'd love to live in Texas (I live just across the state line NM) I'm from NE oklahoma and for all around that would be a good pick. I grew up in a small town, it was beautiful country (to me anyways) and lots of water. Cost of living isn't bad and lots of good lakes. Except for the humidity the weathers nice. 

[Lures'n'Liberty]

I love PA but the taxes suck. Property tax reform is coming but they're just going to replace it with another way to steal your money. The weather is not as cold as Maine but not as warm as it is in the south. North Carolina seems to maintain a pretty low cost of living for retirees. East TN would be my dream piece of land and the state has no income tax but does tax dividends on investments, something that you may want to look into if your retirement fund is invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. They do have county property tax as well. 

[WRB]

I would add Oregon to your list of states to consider. I believe most of Oregons population are Californians who moved there for lower taxes and cost of living while offering excellent weather and good bass, salmon and steelhead fishing opportunities. Oregon has both big Smallmouth in rivers and decent Smallmouth and Largemouth bass lakes.

Tom