Best spotted bass lake for someone from the North East

[Kramos26]

Making this post for the guys in the north east like me that have never had the pleasure of chasing spotted bass. I'm wondering what the best lake would be that's worth traveling to from up here to catch good spots.

The closest spotted bass would probably be the small 500-1500 acre lakes in VA and WV, but that doesn't sound like its worth traveling for

Next closest would be NC and KY

After that would be TN GA and SC

Personally I think March-early April of 2025 I'll be making a week out of this trip. So if time of year is a factor for the best location assume March-April. Lanier/Hartwell have been dream destinations for me. Is the drive all the way there worth it?

[Imavol]

Lanier is awesome as long as it isn't a weekend. Very fun fishing on Lanier.

[dabassking]

I would go to Hartwell. A buddy and I made the trip from KY last year and it was worth it.

[kandybass]

Lanier is in a class by itself. The lake just keeps pumping out big spots despite the crazy pressure it gets every day.

[mean_dean]

Size - Lanier
Numbers - Hartwell

From my experience.

[jerzia]

I only had the opportunity once and that was on Lanier in '98. I hired a guide for a day and had a blast. Didn't get any giants or big numbers, but got some nice ones along with some bonus stripers.

[Squire]

Lake Gaston in Virginia has big spots. Buddy is waiting on certification of a new state record. Further south is Lake Norman. Tons of good size spots....

[cwenbass]

I have family who lives in Atlanta. I was thinking of getting a guide the next time I went down there.

[Kramos26]

Size - Lanier
Numbers - Hartwell

From my experience.

So if the trip is a week long. Monday-Wednesday on Harwell, Wednesday-Friday on Lanier. Travel Saturday/Sunday

[hoochhybrid]

Lanier is pumping out ridiculous limits/fish every week. I can't imagine some of the big tournaments don't start showing up soon.

[Jeff Hahn]

Lanier or Hartwell.

[juice780]

I would say Lanier hartwell and lake norman

[bassnman81]

Lake Norman, Lots of fun in the spring time.

[mean_dean]

So if the trip is a week long. Monday-Wednesday on Harwell, Wednesday-Friday on Lanier. Travel Saturday/Sunday

Sound like a fun time.

[MagicCraw]

Gaston has turned into a good spotted bass fishery. The lake is almost entirely spots at this point. Honestly hate to promote it since it's relatively quiet there, but it's going to be 4 to 5+ hours closer to you than Hartwell or Lanier

[rb]

Norman has some nice ones

[printman71]

You can come to North Georgia and have a choice of 3 within 1.5 hours ish of each other.
Lanier - NE of Atlanta, GA
Chatuge - Hiwassee, GA
Carters - Ellijay/Chatsworth, GA

[Bobby Gray]

If limited to states listed - Lanier, and it's the best of all of them anywhere this side of California. Closer to you and another pretty good one is Lake Martin in Alabama, and most of the Coosa chain. Another little gem that not many know about.. Northern Mississippi's Bay Springs Lake. Just down the Tom Bigbee from Pickwick. Place is loaded with spots and has some big ones. It's got them.

[WStorey]

Do not pass Lanier, Hartwell and Norman for a coosa river lake

[Keoweefishing]

Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee should also be on the list in addition to the above.