Where would you guys suggest going for a 4-5 day trip? I was looking at the Dream Lake Lodge in Alabama, and it looks pretty awesome.

I would probably go for at least three days, maybe 4-5. Dream Lake has 14 bass boats, and a nice lodge with food that is apparently amazing. That's looking like a good option.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I noticed that you live in Virginia so you might have been there before, but if you haven't I would probably go to Smith Mountain Lake. 

If you don't like that option then I might consider a smallmouth trip somewhere.

i would recommend going to lake falcon

There are numerous places across America that offer outstanding fishing, it would depend on what your expectations are.

I concur with Dock Master. If you live in VA and haven't been to Smith Mountain Lake, that's where you should go first! I lived in Alabama, (sigh), and the fishing was great, (sigh). I now live in MD, (sigh). A few years ago, we scrapped our usual spring trip to Santee-Cooper and went to SML on a lark. We have been back ten times since then in the spring and fall...never go between Memorial Day and Labor Day...you will be eaten alive by ski-dumbs and wake morons. That said, SML is one of a very few lakes that I have just showed up at, used the skills I already had and caught a bunch of nice fish. It was text book...here's a point...here's a fish...here's a creek channel...here's a fish. We stay at the Westlake Waterfront Inn, park your boat. http://www.westlake-waterfront-inn.com/ There are numerous places to stay around the lake. We picked this place randomly. If you don't have a boat, you can arrange a rental. In the past couple years, within a mile of the motel, we have caught two 7lbs several 6s and a host of 4s and 5s, including smallies to 6lbs. One thing...go a week before or after the Elite Tournament. If you go during the tournament it's a zoo!

Clear Lake California.  See ya there this April.

El Salto, Lake mateos, ( Meheeko  ) , or probably my pick, Lake Falcon texas

Clear Lake California. See ya there this April.

Ya great place but i think if your doing a bigger trip and wanna have the time of your life id go to lake Falcon. Clear Lake hasn't been to great these past years. Too much pressure and crap

i would recommend going to lake falcon

Diddo 

Toledo Bend, Choke Canyon, Amistad or Falcon...

8-)

Stick Marsh

Spend a few days fishing with George Welcome, and then a few days fishing the saltwater.

Falcon and Amistad are out of their boundaries right now with flood waters. Entire towns are underwater.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

if you were to do smith mountain lake, id wait until about mid to late september

When are you going?

El Salto/Mateos area: rainy season August, September-not best time to go. Many lodges may be closed until October. October/November good times to go, as well as the spring of course.

Falcon area under water--could check Sugar lake. Choke Canyon would be ok but could be very hot and require some night fishing and guide expense.

I have names of guides for Choke/sugar/amistad if interested.

The closer to home the better since it reduces wasted travel time, plus no need for a guide at 127 acres. The Dream lodge sounds great. I have never been there but the web site looks great.

Note: At $350/day at Dream Lodge 4 days fishing is  about $400 less than comparable lodge at El Salto (excluding air fare of course).

With all the problems with the drug cartels I would not think about any lake in Mexico or Falcon and Amistad.

Choke Canyon is fine but in my opinion Fork, Rayburn, or Toledo is hands down better!

What your expectations?

Double digit bass or numbers of quality?

Florida is outstanding but so are the lakes in Georgia where Randall fishes or what about the monster smallies roadwarrior catches.

BWCA, Everglades, Mexico, Cuba!

With all the problems with the drug cartels I would not think about any lake in Mexico or Falcon and Amistad.

Choke Canyon is fine but in my opinion Fork, Rayburn, or Toledo is hands down better!

What your expectations?

Double digit bass or numbers of quality?

Florida is outstanding but so are the lakes in Georgia where Randall fishes or what about the monster smallies roadwarrior catches.

Double digits. I think Dream Lake would be my best option, thanks for the suggestions guys!

Since your in Richmond you should check out Clore brothers in fredricksburg. Maybe not for this big trip but another time. Me and some buddies have done it each year for the last 3 years. They rent canoes and take you up the Rapahahanock river. It's a 14 mile trip, that you do in two days. You bring your camping gear and camp along side of the river. Just make sure the water level is high enough. You bacsicaly just drift down the river, drinking and fishing. There are even some small rapids.  It's a pretty good time. 

Let us know how Dream Lodge trip goes. It looks very good, at least the web site does.

In any event, have a great trip.

lake oneida is nice place  or lake biwa

Central Florida, to Southern Florida.

Great fishing all year round. Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head.

With all the problems with the drug cartels I would not think about any lake in Mexico or Falcon and Amistad.

Choke Canyon is fine but in my opinion Fork, Rayburn, or Toledo is hands down better!

What your expectations?

Double digit bass or numbers of quality?

Florida is outstanding but so are the lakes in Georgia where Randall fishes or what about the monster smallies roadwarrior catches.

Double digits. I think Dream Lake would be my best option, thanks for the suggestions guys!

Fat-G;

The guy that owns  a local tackle store here told me yesterday that he has been to Dream Lodge and that it is fantastic. He said he went in September and although he didn't get a trophy he caught many 7-9 pounders in 2 days. He told me it is one of the places that Shimano sends dealers to preview equipment.

For what it is worth.

Good fishing.

With all the problems with the drug cartels I would not think about any lake in Mexico or Falcon and Amistad.

Choke Canyon is fine but in my opinion Fork, Rayburn, or Toledo is hands down better!

What your expectations?

Double digit bass or numbers of quality?

Florida is outstanding but so are the lakes in Georgia where Randall fishes or what about the monster smallies roadwarrior catches.

Double digits. I think Dream Lake would be my best option, thanks for the suggestions guys!

Fat-G;

The guy that owns a local tackle store here told me yesterday that he has been to Dream Lodge and that it is fantastic. He said he went in September and although he didn't get a trophy he caught many 7-9 pounders in 2 days. He told me it is one of the places that Shimano sends dealers to preview equipment.

For what it is worth.

Good fishing.

Done deal.  ;D