Dream Bass Trip

[Dylan33]

So, my dad just retired last week, and we realized he isn't getting any younger and decided it's time to start looking at some options for a bass fishing trip of a lifetime. I've fished with my dad since I was a little kid, and aside from 2 trips to Canada, we've always stayed in MN, but always talked about going south for a shot at a 10 lb+ largemouth bass.

So, my question to all of you is, where should I start looking to have a legitimate shot at a 10 lb bass? Florida? Texas? California? I have no idea where to begin,(what time of year, what part of the country, specific lakes etc) so I thought I'd start here. Thanks for any and all input.

Dylan

[oleballcoach]

Florida. The native strain of bass there grows bigger than Texas as far as lakes and all of that I am not sure, but it sounds like a lot of fun and I wish you well on the trip and the planning.

[rng]

GO to Texas, you won't be disapointed. I've gone three times and have caught a 10 three 8's four 7's and I'm a walleye fisherman LOL. Texas stocks most if not all their lakes with Florida strain bass. I'll be going down in april to choke canyon again, the lake record for choke is 15+lb. I would say the top five lakes in texas for big bass are choke canyon,fork,amistadt,o.h.ivie, falcon (falcon is the best from what I hear but the resorts and motels are junk). I've never fished california or florida. I think the problem with florida lakes is there so shallow a good cold front can realy shut down the fish and california does not have a lot of water so there is alot of fishing pressure.

[Raider4ever]

In Florida you could go shiner fishing on Lake Okeechobee, less bites, greater shot at a big 'un. Harris Chain is another option. Look at some of the TVA lakes if the calendar not is not an issue. Lanier in Georgia. Jordan in AL. Out west, Powell has a bunch of fish. Seen shows where they were fishing Stripers and they were throwing bass stuff at them in coves and caught all they wanted. Just what I read about those San Diego Lakes, it looks like a lot of either socket-popping swim baits or drop shotting. No happy medium. It all depends on what you want. Congratulations to your father!!

[FishermanOnBoard]

I just got back from SOCAL on a buisness trip last week and had a day off to go fish so I went to Diamond Valley Lake. Its located in Hemet, CA. not too far San Diego from where I was staying and where my brother lives. Anyhow, we ended up with 50+ LM, with 4 of them being in the DD digit (13.2 lbs the biggest). Most of the bass we caught were in 30-50 fow, all on dropshot. Although I caught most of the fish, my brother was the one who caught the 4 DD bass. He was using 8 inch Z-plug and Lunker Punker (trout color). Its funny because I was telling him those lure will only scare the bass to death. But I guess the bigger the lure, the bigger the fish, at least in Cali. I did however caught an 18 lbs stipper using the Lunker Punker.

If you haven't heard about that lake, do some research and get a guide. It's a pretty big lake. And you always have the nice weather and can always do some deep sea fishing as well as site seeing. Makes me want to move back.

[Nick Kuhn]

I think this time of year is perfect. It may not be the best fishing, but what I wouldn't give to be in a boat with 70 degree weather about now...

[Bobby Bass]

This should be an interesting topic, since you referred to it as a Dream Trip I would have to say going for Peacock Bass would be on the bucket list. I have a friend in Texas who always boasts about their fishing but even he would like to go to some of the lakes in Mexico. Several lakes down there with some excellent bass fishing. I might go as far as saying Mexico is to bass fishing as what Canada is to Walleye fishing.

[Dylan33]

This should be an interesting topic, since you referred to it as a Dream Trip I would have to say going for Peacock Bass would be on the bucket list. I have a friend in Texas who always boasts about their fishing but even he would like to go to some of the lakes in Mexico. Several lakes down there with some excellent bass fishing. I might go as far as saying Mexico is to bass fishing as what Canada is to Walleye fishing.

Would going to Mexico these days be the wisest move? Little dangerous isn't it?

[Getanet]

I'm not really a bass fisherman, and you can't believe everything you see on TV, but I'll never forget when I watched Ron Schara go bass fishing on Lake El Salto near Mazatlan.

I can't say for sure if going to Mexico these days is the wisest move, but you only live once. I remember him catching HUGE bass at the same rate I catch sunnies off my dock at the cabin.

[Cecil]

yeah, probably a little sketchy down there. Falcon would be the best lake, but you might not make it out of there. I would say Amistad would be great for big fish.

[Bobby Bass]

Want to keep this on track as this is a dream fishing trip. Mexico is big country and a lot of the unrest there is along the border. Have friends who travel down there for week long vacations several times a year and they have never had any problems. If I was going I would of course do some poking around as far as where to go fishing and stay away from Hot spots as far as unrest went.

[Dylan33]

Also, Mexico would be much more of a hassle as neither my dad or myself have a passport...so looking to stay in the US. Thanks for the responses so far, this site is always great for getting some great ideas...much appreciated.

[moviking]

Ok heres smy two cents worth. I fish a lake in north east Tx called "Lake of the Pines". It is just like the name implys, lots of towering pines and a beautiful lake. Go there anytime in mid Feb. to the end of March. I won't promise a 10# fish but you will catch plenty of fish with some 5-8's mixed in. If you go check for spring break week it gets busy during TX week. Nice campgrounds, and the loons will sing you to sleep at night. Or try Toledo Bend, or Sam Rayburn, I read that they are good. Besides that the crappie would be spawning, a chance to get some real slabs

[olski]

I think the next month or so is a great time to get out of town and head south for some big LM. I am heading to Fl. next week and talked with a buddy who is a guide in the Lake Placid area down there and today was one of those days.

He caught 28 fish by 4 o'clock 1 just over ten, a couple 8's and a ton between 4 and 6.

He said there best 5 would have been in the mid 30's.

Pretty sure there will be a cold front next week...

[bassfshin24]

I would definitely head down to Texas and hit Amistad or Falcon. Be sure to stay on the US side of Falcon though. Pretty sketchy on that lake in some places. I know you dont want to go to Mexico but look at information on Lake Baccarac...i look at the reports every once in awhile and there are 10lbers caught every day on that lake.