How to Plan a Bass Fishing Vacation? Best Bass Fishing Vacation Spots

The United States has some of the best bass fishing spots in the world so you won’t need to travel fast to go on an exciting bass fishing vacation whether it’s solo or with your friends and family.

However, the most important part of any vacation is planning accordingly to ensure you have everything you need for the best bass fishing experience.

So, how to plan a bass fishing vacation? When planning a bass fishing vacation, you need to choose your destination. An ideal fishing vacation spot should include well-stocked water and lodgings in case you wanted to stay overnight as well as services for food, guides, and boat rentals. You also need to bring all the essential fishing gear you need to catch bass.

Keep reading to learn more about the best fishing vacation destination in the United States and what essentials you’ll need to bring with you. To upgrade your bass fishing skills, scroll to the end of the article.

10 Best Bass Fishing Vacation Spots in the United States

Finding the best spot for bass fishing with all the services you want might be a challenge and sometimes you might even need to travel to a different state.

Luckily there are several vacation spots in the United States that overlook different lakes which will satisfy your needs as an angler whether you’re looking for a luxurious all-inclusive resort or a simple fishing lodge.

Let’s take a closer look at 15 of the best fishing vacation spots all over the united states where you can catch tons of bass and have fun.

Dream Lake Lodge at Livingston, Alabama

Dream Lake Lodge is the ultimate destination for bass fishing trips. It’s positioned to overlook a breathtaking view of the grounds and lakes. It offers multiple amenities for the residents including lodgings and food.

The maximum capacity of residents at the lodge is 22 people. It has 5 bedrooms, each bedroom features 2 queen beds and a private bathroom. It also has a bunk room that includes 6 sets of bunk beds and 2 full baths.

For the foodservice, the lodge serves excellent home-cooked meals in an old-fashioned dining room that even features a cozy fireplace.

The on-site lakes are stocked with bass and a wide range of other fish species. They can also provide you with all the gear you’ll need including rods, reels, baits, and lure as well as a rental service for bass boats.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Lake Fork Lodge at Alba, Texas

The Lodge is located on the shores of the famous Lake Fork which is one of the top bass fishing spots, not only in Texas but the whole United States.

The lake spans out almost 28,000 acres and it’s famous for being stocked with trophy bass species that are over the 12 and 13-pound range. 

The lodge itself spans out about 5 acres and offers multiple amenities including 7-bedroom lodgings, breakfast, a private boat ramp to launch your own boat, and a commissionable bass guide service.

If you’re not fishing, you can enjoy your time doing other fun activities as the lodge also includes a hot tub, billiard tables, a grilling area, and a patio with a fire pit.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Big Bear Resort at Benton, Kentucky 

Big Bear Resort is located on the shores of Kentucky Lake that spans out approximately 160,000 acres. It’s the perfect destination for families and friend groups, even pets are welcome to stay.

The resort offers easy access to the Kentucky Lake via the marina as well as a wide range of amenities and services for all bass fishing enthusiasts. This includes a fully-equipped tackle shop, a fish cleaning station, a well-reputed guide service, and a boat rental service.

There are multiple options for private lodging including cottages, cabins, condos, and townhomes as well as a spacious campground with bathroom and laundry facilities. Guests also have access to a private beach and pools as well as on-site grocery and snack shops.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Trails End Fishing Lodge at Lorida, Florida

Trails End Fishing Lodge is located on the shores of Lake Itokpoga which spans almost 27,000 acres and has an abundance of trophy-sized bass fish, especially largemouth bass.

The lodge itself spans four 4 acres and has multiple options for an overnight stay including fully-equipped cabins and RV sites with access to internet connection laundry facilities all at a budget-friendly cost.

There’s a double boat ramp near the lake with boat and kayak rental service and guide service. There’s also a dockside fuel station, a fish cleaning station, and a tackle supply shop.

There are also multiple other local attractions in the area that you can check out such as the Sebring International Raceway.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Mac’s Point Lodge and Marina at Bainbridge, Georgia

The Mac’s Point lodge and marina overlook Lake Seminole which is split by the state line between Florida and Georgia.

Each segment of the lake offers a range of game fish species including plenty of bass fish as it’s a result of three rivers merging to pour into one great body of water.

The lodge and marina are well-situated in the middle of the lake for easy access. It offers overnight accommodations including fully furnished cabins and campsites. There are also other facilities such as a restaurant, a convenience store, and a tackle shop.

You can check their rates and offers here.

Bienville Retreat at White Springs, Florida

Bienville Retreat is located on the shore of a chain of lakes that span out for thousands of acres. These lakes were produced as a result of phosphate mining in Florida and they are well-known for their abundance of bass fish.

The lakes on the chain vary in depth, structure, and cover so you’ll have an excellent opportunity to experiment with a wide variety of fishing techniques throughout your stay to improve your skills.

You can enjoy many amenities when staying at Bienville including lodgings, food services, and guide service.

There are 5 large lodges on the venue, each lodge has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms as well as a common room that features a fireplace, a television, internet access, and a kitchen area.

Food services include breakfast, dinner, and lunch as well as a fine dining experience with a 5-course meal and open buffets for larger groups. 

You can check their rate and offers here.

Lake Baccarac Lodge in Mexico

Lake Baccarac Lodge offers an all-inclusive bass fishing experience. The lodge overlooks Lake Baccarac which spans out 30,000 acres surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Guests are offered transportation from the local airport which is only 10 minutes away from the location of the lodge. There is also on-site COVID-19 testing to ensure your safety as well as others.

The lodge offers overnight stay in fully furnished rooms with air conditioning and several other services including freshly made breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a laundry service and daily maid services

Lake Baccarac is stocked with different fish species and plenty of trophy bass fish and there’s an excellent guide service that will ensure you make the most of your trip.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Roland Martin Marina and Resort in Clewiston, Florida

The Ronald Martin Marina and Resort is named after the infamous bass fishing legend. It overlooks Lake Okeechobee which is the second largest lake in the United States and one of the most famous bass fishing destinations in the world. 

Many professional bass fishing tournaments have been held on the lake including FLW and Major League Fishing as well as Bassmaster events and Bass Nation circuit events. 

The marina has a docking space with a rental service for pontoon boats and bass boats. There are also professional bass fishing guides that are available for half-day and full-day trips.  

There’s an on-site boat sales center for new and used boats as well as a repair facility with professional mechanics.

The resort offers multiple options for overnight lodging including condo rentals, hotel rooms, cabins, and a campground. Guests also have access to the restaurant and tiki bar as well as the swimming pools

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Black’s Camp at Cross, South Carolina

Black’s camp is located on the shores of the Santee Cooper Lake system which provides guests with one of the best bass fishing experiences.

The camp offers multiple accommodation options including motel rooms, efficiency apartments, mobile homes, and a campground. There are also other amenities and on-site facilities including a restaurant, a fuel station, and a convenience store.

There’s a docking space for guests coming with their own boats as well as a professional bass fishing guide service and a fish cleaning service.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

Big Cedar Resort at Ridgedale, Missouri

Big Cedar is one of the most luxurious all-inclusive bass fishing resorts. It was founded by Johnny Morris who also found Bass Pro Shops and it’s located on Table Rock Lake.

The resort offers a wide range of amenities that will guarantee a memorable stay.

If you’re interested in bass fishing, the resort includes two marinas with rental services for canoes, kayaks, and boats as well as a guide service. It also has a fully stocked tackle shop for all the fishing gear you might need.

When you’re not fishing, you can enjoy other outdoor activities with friends and family such as shooting in specialized ranges, hiking on their on-site trails, and horseback riding. There are also some organized sightseeing activities such as Segway tours and wildlife tram tours.

The resort also has 5 golf courses including a miniature golf course as well as a playground and an activity center for bowling, laser tag, go-karts, etc.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed vacation, the resort has a world-class spa and fitness center as well as a private beach and several swimming pools and hot tubs.

There are different options for overnight accommodations including lodge rooms, private cabins, and cottages. As for the food services, the resort has multiple restaurant options and in-room service.

You can check their current rates and offers here.

5 Best Bass Fishing Lakes in the United States

Let’s take a quick look at some of the best bass fishing lakes in the United States.

1. Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia – Smith mountain lake is located near Roanoke in Virginia. It’s stocked with both smallmouth and largemouth bass species that can weigh up to 3 or 4 pounds.
2. Lake St. Clair in Michigan – Lake St. Clair is located on the border between Michigan and Canada and is part of the Great Lakes ecosystem. It has a large bass population.
3. Lake Erie in Michigan – Lake Erie is also located on the border between Michigan and Canada. It’s popular for its smallmouth bass population and you can even catch about 20 to 50 fish a day.
4. Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma – Lake Tenkiller is one of the best places to catch smallmouth bass.  It contains plenty of vegetation and prey fish which means the bass can eat and can grow to trophy size.
5. Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee – Lake Chickamauga is located in southeast Tennessee. It recently gained popularity as a bass fishing destination because many bass tournaments were held in the area.

If you are considering a bass fishing boat, make sure to check out our guide to the most affordable but high-quality bass boats here.

What Do You Need to Bring on a Bass Fishing Trip?

When going on a bass fishing trip, you need to be prepared with all the essential fishing gear.

It’s recommended to bring a 6’7” to 7’8” foot fishing rod with medium-heavy power and fast action paired with a baitcasting reel. You can find the best bass fishing reels here.

For the fishing line, it’s best to go with a heavy braided line that’s about 8 to 10 pounds. You can find the best fishing lines for bass here.

It’s also recommended to use larger hooks so they wouldn’t bend or break in the bass’ mouth if they put up a fight. You can go for hook sizes between 4 and 6/0.

When it comes to baits and lures, you can use small baitfish such as minnows and shiners or you can use topwater lures and crankbaits.

Since you’ll be using large hooks, you need to bring pliers to safely remove the hooks from the bass’ mouth without causing the fish any harm. You also need to bring thick fishing gloves to protect your hand from the bass’ teeth as well as a fully stocked first aid kit in case of any injury.

Related Questions

Where to Find Bass in a Lake?

When fishing for bass in a lake, you’re more likely to find them near the edges of cover and shelter or in calm patches of water. You can also find them around sunken tree logs, large rock piles, stumps, brushes and weed beds.

What’s the Best Time to Target Bass?

The best time of the year to fish for bass is after their spawning season which is during late May or early June while the best time of the day to fish for bass is early morning. During these times, bass become the most active and ready to bite.

What Are the Regulations for Fishing on Lakes?

When fishing on any lake, you need a valid fishing license for the state you’re fishing in and stamps for the species you plan to target. If you’re fishing in Canadian waters, you need to bring your passport as well as a Canadian outdoors card and fishing license which you can easily get online.

You can learn where to get your fishing license and how much it costs here.

Helpful Resources 

Big Book of Bass: Strategies for Catching Largemouth and Smallmouth – ( you can also check it on Amazon here)

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