My wife has really gotten into bass fishing this year and I'm wanting to take her somewhere this spring. We live in southwest Missouri and a group of buddies go to Fork every spring but this next spring I'd like to take her somewhere. Forks great but it can be tough. I'd like to take her somewhere to catch quite a few with a chance at a linker. I'm an hour from Table Rock and 7 hours from Fork. I was thinking Toledo Bend or Gubthersville. Any advise would sure help. Thanks for reading and any help

I live in the Pacific northwest, so from the places you just listed and the relatively short driving distances, it sounds like you're in the Motherland! An hour from Tablerock? I wish. Toledo Bend and Guntersville? In my dreams!! I don't think you can make the wrong choice with those options, I'm sure if your wife enjoys fishing she is just gonna be happy you're taking her to one of these top shelf fisheries and spending quality time on the water with her.

If you are taking the wife on vacation, in addition to good fishing, nice accommodations, good restaurants, and nearby shopping are 3 things needed to keep most women happy. Northern Wisconsin may not give up truly huge bass, but if you are there the last week in May, you will have unbelievable numbers of large and smallmouth bass in your choice of hundreds of lakes with almost no fishing pressure from other bass fishermen. The Minocqua/ Eagle River area has dozens of nice "supper club" restaurants, and lots of gift shops and other shopping opportunities. You can stay in cabins right on the water with your boat parked at a dock just a few feet from your front door. There are also several hotels if you'd prefer to jump around from lake to lake and have maid service. My wife and I have been vacationing there for almost 30 years. The fishing for me, has been so much better and easier up there than anywhere else I've ever been. Fish during the week, and you may not see another bass fisherman all day. The lack of pressure is probably a big reason why the bass fishing is so good. It may be a longer drive than you were thinking about, but it's worth it especially if you go at the end of May.

Bassresource Roadtrip Jack Yates Classic Fin & Feather Resort Toledo Bend 3/15/17-3/20/17!

I'm thinking along the same lines with Scott F. A place that has other things to do, especially if you're planning on more than a few days. You need to take into consideration the weather. A fishing trip can get ruined pretty easily by inclement weather. If the weather goes sour, you can stay in the hotel and try to make babies, which is never a bad thing. If your wife is anything like mine, she's going to want something to do for the other 23 hours and 58 minutes. Never been to Fork but I have Guntersville and there is little to do there but fish and golf. Same goes with Santee Cooper. You're not far from Branson and there is a bunch of non fishing activities. Lake Toho is near Orlando and early spring it's not crowded. There's enough to keep her interested around KY Lake but maybe not ideal. If you go late enough in the spring, you can travel here to Chicago for some smallie action and unlimited extra-curricular activities or head north to Wisconsin and fish Lake Geneva or Sturgeon Bay. Plenty of wifey things to do. 

Does it have to be bass? My wife and I usually end up at a lake on our trips and get some fishing in. She's like me and enjoys catching more than just bass. The next place I'd like to take her is the White River below Bull Shoals dam to fish for trout. It's relatively easy style of fishing and catching fish is rarely a problem unless you're targeting the big browns. It's a very scenic place if she likes to take pictures or just relax and take in the scenery. Lots of cabins along the river to rent and plenty of great guides that could put you on fish for one day and then you can use that knowledge to fish on your own the rest of the time. If you're only an hour from Table Rock then the White can't be too far away. If you get bored with the trout then you can always jump up onto the lake and fish for bass.

 If you're looking for something closer then Taneycomo is easy trout fishing (good bass fishing too if you look for them), and lots of other things for her to do right there in Branson. Of course, Table Rock is right there too so you can switch to bass fishing if you get the urge there as well. 

8 hours ago, Catt said:

Bassresource Roadtrip Jack Yates Classic Fin & Feather Resort Toledo Bend 3/15/17-3/20/17!

or 

If its early spring the big "O" is great, and you have south Florida beaches near by. 

In SWMO, go to Taneytown for trout, Table Rock for bass, spend a day or two floating on the Elk, Buffalo or Kings for smallies and then just relax while saving money on a long extravagant vacation. 

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

or 

Either Road Trip would be my answer

I'd say Florida around February, Bass are on beds and easy to catch and lots of lunkers in Florida.  I went this year and just hit small ponds around my hotel from shore and my girlfriend and I caught a ton from 1 - 7 lbs and I lost my PB in a small 1 acre pond.  

11 hours ago, Catt said:

Bassresource Roadtrip Jack Yates Classic Fin & Feather Resort Toledo Bend 3/15/17-3/20/17!

Catt, is Fin & Feather Resort the place where John Folse has filmed some of his cooking shows?

If so, you have hit it out of the park, again.

That is one place I would love to go and take my wife before I croak.

1 minute ago, Sam said:

Catt, is Fin & Feather Resort the place where John Folse has filmed some of his cooking shows?

If so, you have hit it out of the park, again.

That is one place I would love to go and take my wife before I croak.

Yes it is!

Catt has some good options.  Personally, if my wife is involved, I can always talk her into Orlando. There might be a place or two there she would like.  

Two hours south in Lake Charles are 2 world class casino's L'Auberge & Golden Nugget.

If you're into self abuse Dallas/Ft Worth metromess is about the same 2 hr drive west.

You may want to consider Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota considering the Bassmaster Elite ranks it as the top smallmouth fishery in North America right now.  Go there in early June and the fish will be shallow and since most everyone out there is targeting walleyes you won't have much competition for the brown bass either.

Thanks everybody for the help. A lot to think about for sure!!!

Guntersville. We got great restaurants (Top O River, Wintzells, Cracker Barrel, etc), Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, world class cave at Cathedral Caverns. If you come in May, stick a couple cricket baskets in your boat. We got unbelievable bluegill fishing. That's what my wife likes to fish for. Once of the beauties here is you can fish more than one lake if you want.   Neely Henry, Smith, Wheeler all within an hour. Call Marshall Co Convention and Visitors Bureau. 256-582-7015  they will send you some info. Also check out the Alabama Bass Trail. I'm gonna visit Guntersville Lake myself in the a.m. It's Nov 17 and hit 80 here today. 

Lake St Clair in michigan. 100 fish days in the spring are very common with a ton of 3-5lbrs. You could probably throw a bare hook at those smallies lol. Miss my home state.