Am toying with the possibility of heading further south to do some bass fishing either this November when it gets too cold here, or maybe in the spring like Feb-April. Prefer some prime smallmouth waters (maybe Tennessee) but open to some really good largemouth destinations in other states too. Anyone have any first hand knowledge doing this recently, recommendations, guides, etc?
If i had the option of going south to the area you are speaking of there is no way I would not go to Lake Chickmauga. The fishing their is absolutely incredible. In terms of guides I believe Josh Douglas guides on that lake and if he does not he could point you in any direction you want. Other than that lake I would go to Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock. Both are good fisheries in Missouri, you could go a little more south and hit Beaver or the Arkansas River. Maybe even Lake Guntersville? There are lots of opportunities down there but I would check out Lake Chickmauga before anything! 
And of course there is Falcon Lake but that is WAY down south, the furthest you can go basically.
What is Lake Chickmauga known for – spots, smallies, LM ? Good in the cooler months?
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What is Lake Chickmauga known for – spots, smallies, LM ? Good in the cooler months?
I am new to Tennessee but I have heard that they stock Florida strain LM bass. Don’t know if it’s any good but here are a couple resources that might help.
I believe they have largies, spots, and smallies. It is known for the incredible population of large fish. This is the FLW Tournament coverage that was on it earlier this year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOX5cFfzzA0 The weights posted in tournaments there are absolutely incredible. They were actually higher than Falcon Lake. I’d completely recommend it and give Josh Douglas a holler at joshdouglasfishing.com he is from MN and moved down there last year. He’s been destroying them on that lake and runs I guide service down there from what I understand. He could answer your questions.
That will be high on my list! I may make a big circle back and visit my kids at Mizzou. Anyone have any recommendations for either Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock? …I may never come back !
I have fished numerous southern bass lakes but went to Pickwick lake this past March and cant wait to go back. Great structure, big largemouths and smallmouths and accessible to fish even when the wind is howling. Steve Hacker is the best guide on the lake….
Chris Beeksma
My son was down there last spring and the fish they caught were unbelievable he had 4 SM over 5lbs 1 morning and he said Steve is a great guide too.
Stan 
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If i had the option of going south to the area you are speaking of there is no way I would not go to Lake Chickmauga. The fishing their is absolutely incredible. In terms of guides I believe Josh Douglas guides on that lake and if he does not he could point you in any direction you want. Other than that lake I would go to Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock. Both are good fisheries in Missouri, you could go a little more south and hit Beaver or the Arkansas River. Maybe even Lake Guntersville? There are lots of opportunities down there but I would check out Lake Chickmauga before anything!
2X!
Josh Douglas is a friend of mine. He’ll for sure be able to put you on some nice, fat fish on Chick! He’s also a Lowrance guru, so if you have any questions about dialing in your electronics, he’s the man to talk to.
If you don’t mind a little more travel, hit Chickamauga for big largemouth and then head a few more hours south to Dale Hollow (also in Tennessee) for huge smallmouth. Stephen Headrick is the man to contact down there.
If it were me, i’d pick a general area that had multiple,smaller bodies of water. Sometimes to bite may be off…and the lake down the road is on fire.
Many of the popular lakes…offer good fishing, but almost always have a tournament of some kind going on. And..unlike MN, many of the average derby’s may bring in 100-200 boats. Why deal with that on vacation.
I’ve planned to go to S. Texas, and it’s difficult to find times when one wouldn’t assume the lakes would be crowded. I realize the lakes are large…but bass fishing is different down there, ten times the amount of anglers.
I think you bring up a good point about fishing pressure… Makes you appreciate a lot of the remote lakes in Minnesota that are with an hour or two from home.
But…. When it’s cold here it could be a lot of fun down south. Good to have a guide that knows the water and a plan B, C, etc…
Table Rock… phenomenal lake. Big largemouth- you can catch a 30 lb bag there. If you figure out the pattern, you can get on smallies too. I haven’t caught a lot of big smallies there, my biggest weighed 4.17, but its nice to get on a school of 2-1/2 to 3 lb smallies to break up your day of largemouth fishing. You’ll catch a lot of spots too. Lots of productive water to fish… If you want to catch the big largemouth head up into the White and James River arms. Jerkbaits and Alabama rigs as well as wiggle warts will be the key in the late winter/early spring. If you want smallies, stick to the clearer sections from Kimberling city on down to the Dam. Lake of the Ozarks is good, but not AS good in my opinion. And you lose the potential for smallies and spots. They’re still there, but far less numerous.
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I have fished numerous southern bass lakes but went to Pickwick lake this past March and cant wait to go back. Great structure, big largemouths and smallmouths and accessible to fish even when the wind is howling. Steve Hacker is the best guide on the lake….
Chris Beeksma
I am with Chris on PickWick…got a Grand Slam of Large, Small and Spots last March, also with Steve Hacker… Now Steve (like my good friend Beeksma) is a very popular guide so book ASAP!
Monster Smallies!! The Monday before we fished, Steve had a 9.5 lber in his boat!
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