If you could spend one summer

[aarogb]

    Lake Amistad.

[Catt]

Robby, the climate from the dam to the extreme upper end is totally different and yes I'll agree it does not come close to the northern climates but the same it is not.

[mikesjet]

Okachobee or eufala

[bigtimfish]

Choke canyon

[Lund Explorer]

I'd love to say Choke Canyon, but not in the summer.

This Old Yankee will stay up here where its a little cooler.... Lake St. Clair, or Lake Erie.

[Long Mike]

The twin lakes of Tititikaka.  I found a really sweet spot south of the Titi and just north of the Kaka.  A tube bait works wonders in that area.  8-)

[Mottfia]

Lake Eufaula, Al. It fishes different in four separate regions. Plus the competition is strong and tournaments are numerous

Mottfia

[J Francho]

Toledo Bend; its like fishing 7 totally different lakes

Its funny that you picked your home lake. I was going to say the same thing, but my home lake, or Port Bay on Lake Ontario. Its where I spent my summers as far back as I can remember learning how to fish for bass.

The question was “If you could spend a summer on one major body of water, to perfect your skills, understand big bodies of water and just over all better yourself as an angler what body of water would it be?”

It has been stated many times here that to truly become a better all around angler one must be able to be consistent on different bodies of water correct or not?

Ask anyone who has fished Toledo Bend; it can easily be divided into 7 “different” bodies of water. One can learn a river system, shallow areas like Florida, rock & timber like a natural lake, 1,000s of acres of huge grass flats, deep water structure, sand bottom with little to no cover, & the dam area which is a creature all its own.

Toledo would teach you more variety than any single lake

I'd probably love it there. The Western NY shoreline of Lake Ontario features six bays, each like a unique small lake in their own right, two major rivers, the Genesee and Oswego, and countless creeks and streams. Throw in the big lake itself, and there are endless opportunities to learn several different fishing situations. My lifetime experience doesn't come close to yours, but I've spent over 30 years of my 37 years learning how to fish this water. Sounds like we both have been lucky to be situated close to such great places to fish.  So, to answer the question of spending one summer, my answer is the same - I spend every summer there.

[Fat-G]

Erie. No doubt. Never caught a 4, 5, or 6 pound smallie......