Hi all,
My son is graduating high school in a couple of weeks, and leaves for the Army in September. SOME time between now and then, he wants to go for a week somewhere further south (we are in VA) and fish somewhere really known for big bass.
I had tossed around Okeechobee, but was advised that due to conditions, water depth, etc that that probably wasn't a good idea unless going with a guide. Current budget doesn't allow that.
My question is this...what are some of the best lakes well known for big fish anywhere between VA and AL? Doesn't need to be a week at one spot, I've toyed around with the idea of a couple days at a couple different lakes.
I'd also be willing to trade a trip with someone that wants to fish some of the better places in VA or northeastern NC.
Thanks in advance!!
Besides Okeechobee, Best "big Fish" Lake In The Southeast?
Started by
Guest_FishJeff_*
, May 23 2012 02:51 PM
18 replies to this topic
#2
Gotfishyfingers?
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Posted May 23 2012 - 03:17 PM
toho- kissimmee chain of lakes
#3
BassHunter954
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Posted May 23 2012 - 05:55 PM
loxahatchee refuge just gotta go out a lil way. i know a few nice spots in there that is lunkerville.. lol
#4
chobee
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Posted May 23 2012 - 06:00 PM
If you really want to come down here and fish Okeechobee I would be glad to take you and your son fishing for a few days if I know when
#5
vapredhunter
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Posted May 23 2012 - 06:20 PM
Lake Guntersville AL ranked 3rd in the country !!!!!!!
#6
FishinDaddy
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Posted May 23 2012 - 07:52 PM
Come to Kissimmee and I will get you on the water.
Lee Harrelson- Lakeland, Fl
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
#7
BassHunter954
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Posted May 23 2012 - 08:19 PM
kissimmee has a good lake off of main st i believe it is and 192 turn to go south and lake comes up its a few boat ramps and etc. there billy ray cyrus did a bass fishing movie there . but scratch that that place is stacked with lunkers as well. good movie though not sure of name.
#8
GoTakeANap
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Posted May 23 2012 - 08:57 PM
You could always stop by Santee Cooper Reservoir. Wouldnt be a bad stop on your way somewhere. Has over 177k acres of water to fish and was ranked in the top 25 bass lakes in the country. Cant remember the exact rank. Dont have my bass masters mag with me at this moment.
#9
Guest_FishJeff_*
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Posted May 23 2012 - 09:28 PM
Lake Guntersville AL ranked 3rd in the country !!!!!!!
That's one place I had already thought about. Looks like it's out in the country pretty far, but I'd imagine they have at least a few hotels around?
#10
Guest_FishJeff_*
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Posted May 23 2012 - 09:31 PM
If you really want to come down here and fish Okeechobee I would be glad to take you and your son fishing for a few days if I know when
If I get that far south...I may just take you up on that, but right now I have NO idea when. I know we're doing some family road tripping the last week of July, but he and I will be headed back south. Undecided between the end of June and the end of August. They're both about the same weather wise?
#11
Guest_FishJeff_*
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Posted May 23 2012 - 09:36 PM
Come to Kissimmee and I will get you on the water.
FishinDaddy...that's an option too...I've got family that used to live in Lakeland.
Thanks for the ideas all...I've got two nailed down now. May hit Marion or Santee on the way down for a day.
I'd LOVE to find somewhere and get him on an 8-10lber before he goes to basic training. Proud dad...but a little jealous. I was an MP, but he will be EOD so he gets to blow crap up for a living!
#12
jiggin_it
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Posted May 23 2012 - 09:49 PM
This year it would be a toss up between Pickwick and Guntersville for me. Guntersville is ranked 3rd and Pickwick is ranked 12th. However, if I was gonna take a week trip somewhere, its Falcon Lake for me, not in the southeast but from what i hear its well worth the trip.
#13
gar-tracker
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Posted May 24 2012 - 05:32 AM
Toho Kissimmee chane. Okeechobee really isn't a big fish lake. Its a quantity of high quality fish lake. Don't get me wrong lots of 10s out there, but not as many as there are 7s,8s, and 9s.
Our growing period is too fast, too hot and shallow too grow numbers of monsters.
Toho is the best big fish lake in the state of Florida in my book.
Like mentioned above Tejas grows some monsters, but I guess thats not the SE.
Our growing period is too fast, too hot and shallow too grow numbers of monsters.
Toho is the best big fish lake in the state of Florida in my book.
Like mentioned above Tejas grows some monsters, but I guess thats not the SE.
Every hour fishing is added to your life.
#14
chobee
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Posted May 24 2012 - 06:41 AM
I agree with what gar-tracker said but if you want to come fish the BIG O just let me know I
#15
piscicidal
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Posted May 24 2012 - 07:45 AM
Depends on what your definition of "big fish" is.
Like gar-tracker said....if your idea of a "big fish" is 5-8 lbs very few places can compete with Okeechobee. Okeechobee puts out a few 10s...but not many outside of the spawn (over now). Too shallow and too hot to pump out large numbers of DDs. As far as an overall bass experience, though...Okeechobee is just awesome. Yesterday I fished it with my buddy Robert (SouthFla). We caught 70-80 fish with piles of 3lbs and two that might have broken five. Afterwards, a cold one and an Okeeburger at Roland Martins Tiki Hut. Don't get much better than that.
If your idea of "big" is 10+, then a place like Toho/Kissimmee is probably a better bet. Istokpoga is a really neat lake and it pumps out some DDs but summer is tough on that lake...it gets very hot. Last August I fished it and the water temp was 94. Istokpoga would be a good place to take a bass vacation, I would think though. A neat place that has an old Florida feel to it....old cypress trees with the moss hanging off, etc.
Like gar-tracker said....if your idea of a "big fish" is 5-8 lbs very few places can compete with Okeechobee. Okeechobee puts out a few 10s...but not many outside of the spawn (over now). Too shallow and too hot to pump out large numbers of DDs. As far as an overall bass experience, though...Okeechobee is just awesome. Yesterday I fished it with my buddy Robert (SouthFla). We caught 70-80 fish with piles of 3lbs and two that might have broken five. Afterwards, a cold one and an Okeeburger at Roland Martins Tiki Hut. Don't get much better than that.
If your idea of "big" is 10+, then a place like Toho/Kissimmee is probably a better bet. Istokpoga is a really neat lake and it pumps out some DDs but summer is tough on that lake...it gets very hot. Last August I fished it and the water temp was 94. Istokpoga would be a good place to take a bass vacation, I would think though. A neat place that has an old Florida feel to it....old cypress trees with the moss hanging off, etc.
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