Bucket list road trip

[SC53]

The wife & I have been kicking this idea around for awhile but we’re going to try pull it off next year. We’re semi retired (I’m 65 and self employed ) so we can work around work and the seasons. My focus would be on smallmouth but would like to hit some spot lakes as well. Never caught any spots and I’ve only caught a few smallies on a trip to Dale Hollow 20+ years ago.

The ideal trip would be to spend a couple days fishing a lake and then drive to the next location and repeat. The amount of time of this trip would of course depend on the distance needed to travel but would probably be in the 3-4 week range before heading back home (central Florida).  I doubt we could do this in one trip but trying to see what you guys think would be achievable. My guess is we could possibly hit 6-8 lakes in that time with drive time included.

If we have to do another oh well ? 

Because of fishing new unfamiliar lakes, we’d probably lean towards doing half day ( due to price) guide trips to better our chances of success. Probably focus on size over quantity the first day and depending on what happens that day, repeat or go go for numbers the next. 

 I would also be willing to trade trips to the Stick Marsh if any of the members here would be interested in doing so. 

I was thinking late spring for this trip but again, I will rely on your advise. 

 

What lakes would you recommend we try to go to for this trip?

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

[HeyCoach]

Smith Lake in Cullman, AL

Guntersville

Neely-Henry in Gadsden, AL

 

N-H is part of the Coosa river, where the Alabama spots got their name.

 

You’d be about an hour and a half from Cullman to either Gadsden or Guntersville. Gadsden to Guntersville, about 30-45 minutes. 

[Gundog]

Anywhere along the Tennessee River would be good. Watts Bar, Chickamauga, Nickajack, Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick and Kentucky Lake. I've never fished any of these lakes but all are stops on major tournament fishing trails. 

[Scott F]

You If you want size and numbers of smallmouth, the Northern states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota must be on your list. The overall lack of bass fishing pressure in these states where walleyes get most of the attention, makes these very attractive to serious bass anglers. There are literally thousands of beautiful lakes with a variety of sportfish that you don’t get the chance to catch in Florida. You can easily rent waterfront cabins that you can use as a base to get to hundreds of other nearby lakes. 

The summers are usually cool and comfortable. Most cabins don’t even have air conditioning because they’re seldom needed. 

[WRB]

6 hours ago, SC53 said:

The wife & I have been kicking this idea around for awhile but we’re going to try pull it off next year. We’re semi retired (I’m 65 and self employed ) so we can work around work and the seasons. My focus would be on smallmouth but would like to hit some spot lakes as well. Never caught any spots and I’ve only caught a few smallies on a trip to Dale Hollow 20+ years ago.

The ideal trip would be to spend a couple days fishing a lake and then drive to the next location and repeat. The amount of time of this trip would of course depend on the distance needed to travel but would probably be in the 3-4 week range before heading back home (central Florida).  I doubt we could do this in one trip but trying to see what you guys think would be achievable. My guess is we could possibly hit 6-8 lakes in that time with drive time included.

If we have to do another oh well ? 

Because of fishing new unfamiliar lakes, we’d probably lean towards doing half day ( due to price) guide trips to better our chances of success. Probably focus on size over quantity the first day and depending on what happens that day, repeat or go go for numbers the next. 

 I would also be willing to trade trips to the Stick Marsh if any of the members here would be interested in doing so. 

I was thinking late spring for this trip but again, I will rely on your advise. 

 

What lakes would you recommend we try to go to for this trip?

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

Are you towing a boat?

[MIbassyaker]

@ScottF speaks the truth. There is no shortage of productive waterbodies in MN, WI, & MI with rent-able waterfront accommodations. For all practical purposes, the options are endless. The lake smallmouth fisheries up here are in something of a boom at the moment. The Michigan state record, for instance, has been broken twice in the last 3 years after standing for 100+ years. Just be aware the farther north you go, the later "late spring" is. 

[SC53]

What time year would you suggest hitting those in Bama Coach?

 

Scott and MIyak, I have a good friend that lives in Milwaukee so that would play into our choices. I’ve read/heard that if you want smallies, that is the area you need to fish. Any suggestions on lakes?

Sturgeons bay was one area I was considering.

 

WRB, I wasn’t planning on bringing my boat only because I think I’d spend too much time just trying to figuring out the lakes. I think using guides would be money well spent.

[Oregon Native]

Personally when I've done the road trips in past I've always taken a boat.  I haven't been very lucky with guides in the past ....even though I've heard of some good ones out there.  Having only lived here out east for the last ten years I'm in love with this place and everyone has  given you good info.  If it were me (and it's not) I would go early spring...fish during the week mostly due to the many tourneys on weekends.  Fishing should be awesome and the lakes will be fishing bigger and easier I believe.  I've just fished this lake for the first time this year but I'm loving Cumberland in Kentucky.  Watts bar and Chic are close too.  Norris is beautiful.  Many great lakes close together with other adventures close by.

Have a great trip

[roadwarrior]

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CAFQZI_enUS802&ei=SvS9W7OfHKy1ggff16q4DQ&q=mille+lacs+lake+smallmouth&oq=mille+lacs+lake+smallmouth&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l5j0i22i30l4.49162.55281..55984...0.0..0.95.979.11......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i67j0i22i10i30.v-_mgcuenmI

[SC53]

good stuff road warrior??

Oregon, it’ll depend on what I find in regards to guides if I drag my boat. 

Having never fished for smallies or spots, I’d have a steep learning curve on new lakes. Yea, I have researched techniques and such but it’s a different story on the lake. At least for me it is ? 

[WRB]

Bass fishing for smallies and spots is very different then fishing in Florida for FLM bass is shallow none structure lakes, channels and ponds. Both SMB and Spots are deep structure or River bass, a new learning curve and your idea od using guides is good.

The fact you are traveling without a boat opens up a lot of territory to you. 

If you are willing to fly it opens up the west coast, but long car trip.

I believe Tennessee and Alabama would be a good car trip distance and offer some terrific bass fishing opertunities for you and your wife.

Tom

 

[Harold Scoggins]

17 hours ago, SC53 said:

I was thinking late spring for this trip

Good for you my man! I thought it strange when I saw your post as I am planning a road trip the end of April. I've already made a folder with maps and I am so stoked for the trip. Mine is a little different as I'm going to load the kayak into the truck and drive straight to Virginia and start my trip there. From there I am going to follow the migration my 3rd Great Grandfather made after the Revolutionary War. It will take me to North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and then crossing the Ohio River into Illinois where I was born and raised. I'm not putting any time restraints for the trip and I think the only other thing left to do is to purchase non-resident permits come January. This is something my late father always wanted to do, but never did. I think these "bucket lists" are important when you get our age, so do this Sir. If you see this truck out on the highway during your journey, toot your horn.

[Catt]

I would probably start on the south end of Bama & work north.

[J Francho]

Spring, St. Clair or Erie.

[roadwarrior]

If you decide to come up to this area, the main lakes are Wilson, Pickwick and

Kentucky Lake. These are two guides that are VERY well know:

http://www.fishpickwick.com/  p.s. Roger Finished 2nd in a FLW event last weekend

https://www.flwfishing.com/tournaments/2018-09-29-pickwick

 

David Alan  https://www.davidallenfishing.com/about

 

[TBAG]

Cumberland

Dale Hollow

Kentucky Lake

[HeyCoach]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

I would probably start on the south end of Bama & work north.

I forgot about Lake Eufala and Lay Lake.

 

And OP, I’d say maybe early-spring or mid-fall.

[J.Vincent]

Pickwick Lake, Watts Bar, Kentucky Lake, St. Clair and Lake Erie; all have very strong populations of Smallmouth

[SC53]

This is why I joined this site! Excellent information guys. 

 

I’ll keep an eye out for you Harold. 

Roadwarrior ??

Catt & Coach, I’ll probably start north Bama and work north from there only because I have a buddy I hunt with in Abbieville ( SE of Eufaula) that I can stay with and fish eufaula anytime I want to go there as it’s only a half hour away.

Now where in north Bama do you recommend for spots?

After watching some of Zona’s shows, Erie looks like a must do. 

 

Ok, list starting to look like Picwick, Kentucky lake and hopefully Erie or St. Clair for smallies (so far).  

What lakes would you specifically target spots?

[Tennessee Boy]

If I was you,  I would make my way up the Coosa River then down the Tennessee River.  You can follow I59 up the Coosa and to Chattanooga then take I75 up to where ever you want to start down the Tennessee.   Kentucky Lake is huge and you could probably make three stops and fish very different waters. 

 

I agree with all of the lakes already mentioned.  I'll just add  two of my favorites along the route that aren't world famous.  Weiss Lake on the Coosa is a very fun lake to fish.  Wilson Lake on the Tennessee is not as well known as the lakes around it but it is a beautiful lake full of nice LM and SM.

 

[soflabasser]

Good thing you are doing your research in advance, it will greatly help your chances at catching some nice fish. I have lived most of my life in South Florida but like to travel for fishing.Have caught lots of muskie, smallies,walleye,and other northern species of fish. You will be surprised how good the fishing can be from land and you do not need a guide if you do enough research on where to go and what to use.I personally prefer catching my own fish without a guide and see it more of a accomplishment. There are exceptions though like fishing the Amazon, for that you will need a guide to be safe.

[Ksam1234]

22 hours ago, SC53 said:

The wife & I have been kicking this idea around for awhile but we’re going to try pull it off next year. We’re semi retired (I’m 65 and self employed ) so we can work around work and the seasons. My focus would be on smallmouth but would like to hit some spot lakes as well. Never caught any spots and I’ve only caught a few smallies on a trip to Dale Hollow 20+ years ago.

The ideal trip would be to spend a couple days fishing a lake and then drive to the next location and repeat. The amount of time of this trip would of course depend on the distance needed to travel but would probably be in the 3-4 week range before heading back home (central Florida).  I doubt we could do this in one trip but trying to see what you guys think would be achievable. My guess is we could possibly hit 6-8 lakes in that time with drive time included.

If we have to do another oh well ? 

Because of fishing new unfamiliar lakes, we’d probably lean towards doing half day ( due to price) guide trips to better our chances of success. Probably focus on size over quantity the first day and depending on what happens that day, repeat or go go for numbers the next. 

 I would also be willing to trade trips to the Stick Marsh if any of the members here would be interested in doing so. 

I was thinking late spring for this trip but again, I will rely on your advise. 

 

What lakes would you recommend we try to go to for this trip?

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

If you want both size and quantity for smallmouth I actuslly would recommend Lake Erie. I could even show you some areas if your going in the spring that you would love. I live 5 minutes from Lake Erie

[SC53]

So fl, that’s why I’m starting early on my research?

Ksam I’ll be in touch. 

[HeyCoach]

7 hours ago, SC53 said:

This is why I joined this site! Excellent information guys. 

 

I’ll keep an eye out for you Harold. 

Roadwarrior ??

Catt & Coach, I’ll probably start north Bama and work north from there only because I have a buddy I hunt with in Abbieville ( SE of Eufaula) that I can stay with and fish eufaula anytime I want to go there as it’s only a half hour away.

Now where in north Bama do you recommend for spots?

After watching some of Zona’s shows, Erie looks like a must do. 

 

Ok, list starting to look like Picwick, Kentucky lake and hopefully Erie or St. Clair for smallies (so far).  

What lakes would you specifically target spots?

You are welcome to come and fish with me. Logan-Martin and Neely-Henry are Coosa chain lakes that have an abundance of spots. I’m all of 30 seconds from LM and NH is about 30 minutes away. 

[SC53]

Coach I might take you up on that offer. 

I’ll expect you to come down here and fish the Stick Marsh with me though.