Spring fishing trip suggestions

[PAT92B]

This spring is like to take a trip somewhere diffrent I’m thinking mid to late April. I’m not really looking for monster bass just good bass fishing. I’ll be taking a boat so I’d like to stay within 8 hours of St. Louis. I’ve been thinking about somewhere on the Tennessee River (Pickwick, Guntersville, Chickamauga) or somewhere in Louisiana seemed like there were a bunch of oxbow lakes near Vidalia that MLF fished last spring. If anybody has any suggestions or ideas let’s hear them. 

[moguy1973]

Might be a little farther than you want to go but what about something in Texas like Lake Fork?

[Ham]

I don’t think 8 hours gets you to Louisiana, but I bet it gets you to Eastern OK. 

Lots to pick from over there

[Quillback]

I've always thought Millwood lake would be fun to fish, it's big, around 30,000 acres, but from what I have read, has quite a bit of shallow cover - trees and vegetation - to fish.  Might be a bit outside of your range however, it's near Texarkana.  Bois D'Arc is nearby, 5,000 acres, so you'd have a couple of options.  No idea on lodging, but I bet a little internet searching and you'll get some options.

And like Ham says, lots of options in eastern OK.  

[fishinwrench]

If the window is April you'll want options in all directions, because the weather will undoubtedly interfere with any chosen location.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Might be a stupid recommendation but Lake of the Ozarks wouldn't be a bad choice.  Produces a lot of big bass and you can fish instead of drive.

[MOPanfisher]

Let the weather and lake conditions be your guide.  Lake levels in different areas can be radically high or low.  LOZ and Truman can be good, although Truman isn't as good for largemouth as it was several years ago, but there are a lot of white bass and hybrids to full the gaps.  And of course in April if you get bored go catch some crappie!  My bucket list is to go to TR and catch smallies or to Melvern Lake in KS and target those smallies.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, MOPanfisher said:

Let the weather and lake conditions be your guide.  Lake levels in different areas can be radically high or low.  LOZ and Truman can be good, although Truman isn't as good for largemouth as it was several years ago, but there are a lot of white bass and hybrids to full the gaps.  And of course in April if you get bored go catch some crappie!  My bucket list is to go to TR and catch smallies or to Melvern Lake in KS and target those smallies.

What is it about Melvern that draws you there?

[MOPanfisher]

Big football smallmouth.  Never been there but I want to go sometime.

[jdmidwest]

Pickwick has been a favorite of mine, but this year has been the worst.  Big flood early and something blowing thru every time down.  Just got back from a 2 day trip last nite.  Weather was nice and pre front.  But the winter draw down was going on and lake was falling.  Fishing was really slow.  Only one decent smallie, 4 lbs and 3 oz right at the end yesterday before the storm rolled in.

Guntersville has been fishing well I have been reading, but have not tried it yet.  Cordell Hull is nice, Dale Hollow is on the list for next year.  Center Hill gives you trout on the tail water, but the lake is tough.  Muscle Shoal and Wilson Dam is also a target for next year, stories of big smallies there on the upper end of Pickwick.

Weather is the key.  Play by ear and don't make solid reservations and you can have a decent trip, somewhere.