I'm retired and thinking of relocating. Specifically, I want to be far enough south to be able to fish most of the year but far enough north to enjoy a good SM fishery. Further, I'd at least like the chance at a 6 lb SM. I know this site has bassers from all over the country and would like to hear your opinions.

Tennessee.

Tennessee.

Ditto on TN!

Tenn or KY

I live in TN and a 6lb fish here is a nice fish not a trophy. It takes 7lb+ for it to be a trophy. There are many lakes here that are capable of producing a 7+ lb smallmouth. I have lived here my whole life and do not have a trophy smallmouth yet but have been close many times. But one day on Dale Hollow I caught 3 fish and missed one. The three were 6lbs 3oz, 6lbs 11oz and 6lbs 13oz, and the one that broke my line was bigger than all of those. Plus no state income tax like KY and pretty low property taxes. Only bad thing is our sales tax is high. Putnam Co where I live has 9.75% sales tax the highest allowed in the state other counties it is a little lower but it is over 9% everywhere in the state. Just some food for thought.

The New River in VA! The New river is always producing big smallies. There are a big smallies in the James River, but not the numbers of big ones like the New!

I live in TN and a 6lb fish here is a nice fish not a trophy. It takes 7lb+ for it to be a trophy. There are many lakes here that are capable of producing a 7+ lb smallmouth. I have lived here my whole life and do not have a trophy smallmouth yet but have been close many times. But one day on Dale Hollow I caught 3 fish and missed one. The three were 6lbs 3oz, 6lbs 11oz and 6lbs 13oz, and the one that broke my line was bigger than all of those. Plus no state income tax like KY and pretty low property taxes. Only bad thing is our sales tax is high. Putnam Co where I live has 9.75% sales tax the highest allowed in the state other counties it is a little lower but it is over 9% everywhere in the state. Just some food for thought.

Hey Chris. I think your doing pretty good. A 6lb-13oz is only 4 ounces away from a 7lb-1oz trophy. Once you get over 6lb-12 oz you could call it a trophy. I have a buddy that fishes with me prespawn every year for 10 days that has three 6lb-12oz but never bigger.

Hey Chris. I think your doing pretty good. A 6lb-13oz is only 4 ounces away from a 7lb-1oz trophy. Once you get over 6lb-12 oz you could call it a trophy. I have a buddy that fishes with me prespawn every year for 10 days that has three 6lb-12oz but never bigger.

The really bad part is I have had at least 9 or 10 7+lb smallmouth on over the years never landed a one of them. Most of them have been at Dale Hollow in the winter or early spring with 4lb or 6lb test. I have also had several at Picwick that broke me off. I am convinced that a 7lber is my white whale.

Someplace near Big South Fork in TN. Lots of smallies around and Dale Hollow is close if you want to go big. Musky around there too! Beautiful country and it's cheap.

Visit Pickwick Pines: http://www.pickwickpinesresort.com/

Affordable living near Pickwick Lake. This location provides

easy access to the lake and the Tennessee River below Pickwick

Dam. The drive to Wilson Dam is about 45 minutes (McFarland Harbor)

http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/pickwick/access/mcw/pix.cfm

Florence, AL is another area you should consider, especially if you

prefer city amenities. Shopping, dining and medical facilities are

abundant. From the Florence area you have immmediate access to the

headwaters of Pickwick. This is where Hite weighed 77 lbs:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/bass-pickwick-lake-3-11.html

Florence provides easy access to a number of

Tennessee River reserviors: Wilson, Wheeler and

Guntersville to name a few. Florence is a very

nice town with a great deal to offer.

I hope you visit both locations, it really depends on

what you are looking for. To many, no state tax in

Tennessee may be a deciding factor. Either way, you

can fish all year and have an opportunity to catch the

next world record:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

Another Vote for TN!