Hey guys, my high school fishing buddy is coming back from Afghanistan in August and I want to take him on a fishing trip to remember. We are both in central Illinois and willing to travel about the Midwest. Looking to catch some Largemouth or Smallies provided we go north. 

 

I have absolutely no idea where to start looking or what to do. I'm a broke ass physics major in college so money is a limitation, and we don't have a boat, so a guide is almost necessary. 

 

Thanks,

Rob

Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota is nationally known for largemouth.  You're not going to get the hogs like you would down south, but still great fishing.  If you google for guides a whole list will come up

Check out Trophy country in central Missouri.  Find the money.  Your bud is coming back from Afganistan, his wallet is probably thick from combat pay and no place to spend it, to speak of - let him pay.  All you need to bring is your gear, they will provide food & lodging.  Strip pit fishing is fun.

 

Trophy country is not cheap, but it is a bargain compared to lots of other places.

Check out Trophy country in central Missouri.  Find the money.  Your bud is coming back from Afganistan, his wallet is probably thick from combat pay and no place to spend it, to speak of - let him pay.  All you need to bring is your gear, they will provide food & lodging.  Strip pit fishing is fun.

 

Trophy country is not cheap, but it is a bargain compared to lots of other places.

Haha in all likelihood, he will pay, but I wouldn't want to assume something like that. After all, why else I have been spending all my money on fishing stuff right?

 

Also that was a good point about going north. We could probably spend a week and go for other fish as well. I'll let him decide which he'd prefer. 

Update: So he has family that live in Muscle Shoals, Pickwick it is(!), and our parents offered to pay gas, cuz I guess that they want us gone too! So that means our only expenditure will be food and a guide.

I was looking at guides online and they all seem to be around $325 a day. Now with two people that isn't awful right? And is there like a discount for multiple days? Are these just questions I'll have to ask the individual guide?

Jimmy Mason is a good pickwick guide that a friend of mine has used multiple times.  I grew up fishing pickwick so I've never used a guide there, but the reports on Jimmy were good.

 

Great lake.  Have fun!  Tell your buddy thank you for his service.

I will and thanks guys! I found a guy through a mutual friend. I'll probly post about the experience afterwards