Taking a fishing trip is one of those timeless adventures that most people who love the natural world enjoy from time to time. And depending on what type of fish you’re after, there are a variety of choices to consider.
One of the more active species of fish, and often considered the most fun (and challenging) to catch, is Bass. The truth is, Bass fishing is a highly popularized sport all across the country.
If you’re looking for a Bass fishing destination in the south, there are a few southern states that can offer you a great Bass fishing experience. And you could even turn this into a fishing road trip of sorts if you wanted a variety of places to fish.
Here, we’ll explore 5 of the best Bass fishing destinations in the south. So before you head out, check out Tailored Tackle to browse a few of the finest Bass lures.
Alabama
In north Alabama, between Bridgeport and Guntersville, you’ll find Lake Guntersville with over a whopping 950 miles of shoreline.
In fact, Lake Guntersville was ranked as the nation’s second-best Bass fishing lake by Bassmaster in 2019. And here, you’ll find a lake seemingly stocked with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted Bass all for you to try your luck with.
Arkansas
Located in southwestern Arkansas, you’ll be delighted by the Bass teeming in Millwood lake, which held an 82 percent success rate during a Bass fishing tournament in 2017.
Arkansas is home to a fair amount of wild country from north to south, perfect for hiking and walking. And while its northern region is home to wild rivers and part of the Ozarks, it’s southwestern region is home to plenty of lakes and streams rich with Bass and Trout.
Mississippi
While Mississippi is heralded as the birthplace of the Blues, you’ll find that the country here is an outdoorsman’s paradise in many respects.
In Tishomingo County in northeastern Mississippi, you’ll be amazed at Pickwick lake. This 43,000-acre reservoir actually spans from Mississippi and stretches into both Tennessee and Alabama. So if you’re on a southern fishing tour, you can easily hit three states in one stop at Pickwick lake.
Here, you’ll find a fair amount of largemouth, smallmouth, striped, spotted, and white Bass. And this lake was actually ranked 6th in the nation for top Bass fishing lakes in the south for both 2018 and 2019 by Bassmaster.
Louisiana
Where you’d normally come to witness the debauchery of Mardi Gras, Louisiana is also home to some wild and unforgiving country. With alligators and swamps synonymous with its border along the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll also find that Louisiana’s variety of freshwater bodies hold plenty of fish to choose from as well.
The Toledo Bend Reservoir in West-Central Louisiana, along the border of Texas, is a 65 mile-long stretch of water that has been considered the best Bass fishing experience in the nation for many years.
Here you’ll find plenty of largemouth, yellow, spotted, and striped Bass. And because of its variety, this lake has been home to numerous Bass fishing competitions over the years.
Texas
The Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Nacogdoches, Angelina, San Augustine, Jasper, and Sabine Counties in eastern Texas is where this 115,000 acre stretch of water calls home. And this lake has long been touted as one of the best in the nation, ranking at number 3 by Bassmaster in 2019.
The Sam Rayburn Reservoir is known for extremely large Bass catches; for this reason, the prospect of fishing at this angler hotspot has excited Bass fishers across the country.
Here you’ll find plenty of largemouth, hybrid striped, spotted, white, and yellow Bass all for the choosing.
Bass fishing is a sport for many. But the thrill of the catch and the variety of species mentioned here are what most of the fishermen who travel the southland in search of Bass come for. And not many are ever disappointed.
