Moving to war,er water

[Rick King]

Thinking about moving from the UP of Michigan to a more moderate climate with lots of gills. Open for suggestions all.

[Allen Morgan]

Rick, I'm originally from Oklahoma, but moved southern Michigan last year (my wife is a native Michigander).

Honestly, I think anywhere south of the ice belt is prime fishing for 'gills.  You'll run across those Coppernose 'gills that get stocked into areas.  Other big fish as well.  Striped Bass, Blue catfish, etc....

[Rick King]

Thanks Allen - have fun in Michigan

[Slip Sinker]

i feel that way to Rick this time of year... transition times can last for weeks here in mid-Michigan we had skim ice last week and now with a little warmup got some open water. will be a few weeks before safe ice. i do like to ice fish but would rather be on the open water if given the choice.

i dont think i could ever give up the old dirty mitten for its thousands of lakes and some great fishing... but i wouldnt mind trading some ice fishing time for some fishing down south. i fantasize of having a wintering spot in southern Florida fish for panfish, exotics and some saltwater species.

i can picture myself fishing all day on the canal systems in Miami-Dade county and the everglade systems. Oscars, Peacock Bass, Blue Gills, and even Snake Heads. three months of winter would go by fast down there.

[Rick King]

That is a good plan, and if my copd was better I would stay where I am ..... love it here

[Damon Toney]

Come on down here to Alabama. We'll be happy to have you. Football is good. Auto racing is good. Taxes are low. Freedom is high.

We call'em bream down here. Lake Guntersville has the best overall bream fishing. But any river below the dam makes for great bream fishing.

[Rick King]

Damon , sorry for the late late reply.. Bama sounds good , know of any of town where I could rent a apartment with 3 bedrooms......... Wife likes to shop and up here we have to drive south to Green Bay Wi.

Did not know you had so much water down south.

[carl hendrix]

RICK;;  FELLOW BBG MEMMBER;; MARK STEIN; HAS JUST MOVED TO BAMA !  NOW LIVES IN ATHENS ALABAMA !  REAL CLOSE TO THE GUNTERSVILLE LAKE; CLOSE ENOUGH TO SCOTTSBORO; TO FISH IN THE NORTH SAUTY RIVER;; ALSO;; CLOSE ENOUGH TO DECATUR; TO FISH THERE AT MALLARD POINT !    HE JUST MIGHT BE COMING TO OUR RENDEVOU THIS YEAR; ;; FISH IN KY LAKE !

[Rick King]

Great information Carl , Thanks I'll check it out

[Rick King]

Thanks for all the good information, seriously think Bama and NC in Jeffery's area. 

[Rick King]

Hi all thankyou for the replies, I even gave a call to Jeff Abney and talked about his location. He haS GREAT FISHING, but is not sure there is room for both of us..... Just kidding Jeff. 

Please keep the ideas coming I  would like to get out of here by March or April. Having a knee replaced on Jan 3

Thanks 

Rick

[Rob Bowen]

I used to love the hill country of TX. Is has clear rivers that are easily waded and loaded with fish. The lakes have nice fish as well, but I love the clear rivers. My favorite rive is the Llano. We used to fish it in the morning, then eat BBQ at Coopers in Llano TX. Rest under a shade tree during the heat of the day with a few cold beers, and then hit it again in the evening. It would not be uncommon to catch 100-150 fish in a day. The catch would include bream, bass, catfish, carp, gar, etc. This was all on fly rods.

[Damon Toney]

Good sport on a fly rod. What size fly rods did you use?