This Underrated State Outshines Most Others For Bass Fishing (And It's All Thanks To One Lake)

When you're thinking of your next weekend getaway, Alabama may not be the first state that crosses your mind. While unfortunate, that's also understandable. Alabama isn't the largest or most-populated state, and there are other states nearby that get more visitors. Before I moved there for a year, I admittedly had similar thoughts. However, I can tell you from firsthand experience that this state is underrated. If you're an angler, you might already know one of the reasons why — Alabama outshines most other states when it comes to bass fishing. 

Personally, I've caught more bass in Alabama than I have in any other state, but experts in the fishing industry have weighed in on its impressive fishing scene as well. In-Fisherman and Realtree rank Alabama as one of the best states for catching bass. On top of this, many long time, experienced anglers seem to agree that it's hard to find a better bass fishing state than Alabama.

So how did this underrated state get these impressive bragging rights? It's all thanks to one destination — Lake Guntersville, Alabama's largest lake that has some of the best fishing. In fact, Bassmaster chose Lake Guntersville as one of its top three bass lakes in the Southeastern United States. Lake Guntersville extends for 75 miles and encompasses over 69,000 acres, allowing hopeful anglers plenty of room to spread out. This large fishing hole also frequently serves as the aquatic venue for big competitive events such as the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite, Major League Fishing, and Cabela's Big Bass Tour. Luckily, you don't have to be a pro to enjoy a day of recreational fishing on Lake Guntersville. 

You can fish for catfish, bream, and crappie on Lake Guntersville, but most anglers are packing up their rods and tackle boxes to target largemouth bass. Lake Guntersville is very well-known as a spot to go if you want to catch big ones. Those that have fished there seem to love it, with one reviewer on Google giving Lake Guntersville State Park five stars, saying, "Always so much fun, beautiful, and the fishing is mind blowing and known world wide so enough said." The park is located in the city of Guntersville, which is one of Alabama's best-kept secrets.

Because Lake Guntersville is so big, it can be helpful to get out on the water in a boat. There are 21 public boat ramps around the lake that visitors can launch from. If you choose not to bring your own boat, there are many places to rent one, including at Lake Guntersville State Park itself. Before you go, it can also be helpful to study some of the local fishing reports. Make sure you take some of the best lures for Lake Guntersville, too. Some of the ones typically recommended include lipless crankbaits, jigs, bladed jigs, and swimbaits, but depending on the time of year and your location on the lake, you may want to change up your strategy. 

Size limits don't apply for every waterbody, but they do for Lake Guntersville. Any largemouth or smallmouth bass you catch there must be at least 15 inches long. Limits can occasionally change, though, so make sure to always check out the current size and creel limits that are laid out by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

Alabama has Lake Guntersville to thank for its worldwide fame as a top-notch fishing destination, but there are several other great places to fish in the state. Alabama has more than 560,000 acres of fishable waterbodies where you can drop a line. I've personally had luck catching bass on Lake Martin and Smith Lake. Bass anglers may also like Lake Eufaula and Pickwick Lake, which often join Lake Guntersville on lists of best bass lakes in the region.

There's no doubting that Alabama outshines most others when it comes to bass fishing, or freshwater fishing in general. However, there are also more bass species to catch than just the largemouth that Lake Guntersville is so known for. When talking about Alabama, one Redditor shared on r/Fishing, "The world record striper is from here and you can catch 5 different species of red-eyed bass." 

Another great thing about Alabama fishing is that you can mix in some saltwater too. With miles of coastline, many visitors also enjoy heading offshore to spend a day fishing in the ocean. In Gulf Shores, Alabama, you can visit the state's longest Gulf Coast pier where you can fish, enjoy tasty bites, and take in the sunset views.