Headin' for the Big G and don't mean Gogebic...

[Savage]

Well I have somehow talked (pestered) my wife into agreeing to take a trip down to Lake Guntersville next week, and I can barely sleep at night now.  I've never been there, so I could really use some help/advice from my fellow GLB'ers.

Don't even have a map of the lake yet, so looking for any help that can be had.  Where to launch, where to stay, what to take for lures, where the big 'ol pigs hang out this time of year.....

.....and where to go to keep my family entertained if the fish don't bite!   

[Dan]

"I'm your huckleberry," said Doc Holiday to Johnny Ringo. The first place I'd check to stay would be the motel at Guntersville State Park. The State Parks in the South have very nice hotels at them. The one at Guntersville is very, very, nice:
http://www.alapark.com/lakeguntersville/Events%20and%20Specials/
They charge $89 for a night, but it's something you may want to consider. Check out my teardropbass.com Daily Blog and then at the top click on the Guntersville trip and you will see what the views from the hotel are, spectacular. It also overlooks a spot where many of the Elite Pros started last April during the Elite events there.
We didn't stay at the State Park, but if I took my wife I would seriously consider it. It's very nice and has a very good restaurant.
We went cheap, and stayed at the Super 8 in Guntersville. It was around $50-60 a night. It was right near Lake Guntersville and I believe there are some ramps within eyesight of the motel.
The bridge you go over as you leave the motel and head back toward town is where my Day 3 boater Brit Meyers started.  Again check out my blog of my last year's Alabama trip. You'll see some of the spots all four of the pros I drew fished.
Instead of trying to type out all the info. if you would PM me I'll give you my phone number and we can talk.
By the way, I will be leaving for Alabama this coming Sunday morning. We'll be going down to Marshal the Pickwick Elite Series event which starts a week from this coming Wednesday. You should consider Marshaling for a day.
Pickwick is less than 2 hours from Guntersville. You could then fish Pickwick, Wilson, or Wheeler. You could still fish Gville though. I know we are hauling my buddies Ranger down and we plan on fishing Guntersville.
Two years ago we were down there to Marshal the Lake Wheeler event that Tommy Biffle won at this same time of year. (I also have that trip blogged on my website.) The fish were up in the bushes at that time. Last year we were at Guntersville at the end of April and the guys were cranking them. I'm sure you would be at Gville during the spawn.

[Dan]

I don't know what you mean by family, if kids are involved in that, but for family things the number one thing would be a day trip to the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. It's 30 miles from Guntersville and my three boys have been there several times and love it. Kids can even sign up and go to Space Camp there. The museum and the 3D theater can entertain a group for at least a half day. Lots of cool stuff to look at and they have a number of interactive exhibits. http://www.ussrc.com/
A good site for things in the Guntersville area: http://www.marshallcountycvb.com/index.php?date=20110429

Restaurants: http://www.lakeguntersville.org/restaurants.asp

Huntsville area: http://www.10best.com/destinations/alabama/huntsville/attractions/best-attractions-activities/

85 miles from Guntersville in Chattanooga, is Ruby Falls. It's a cave trip that is very memorable that kids and adults would like. Quite a bit to do there as well.  http://www.rubyfalls.com/pages/Photo-Gallery/

[Savage]

Wow Dan,thanks for all the feedback!  I checked out your blog - pretty cool.  Thos epics of the state park hotel look pretty nice.  I might head over to Pickwick for one day to see the elites...

I'm taking my wife and 11 year old son.  The space museum sounds like something we might do, i really appreciate the suggestion.

I'll send you my number via PM...  thanks again.

[Dan]

If you decide to come to Pickwick from Guntersville, you'll be traveling down 72 from the Huntsville area through Athens, Alabama.  You have to make a stop at Lawler's Barbecue which is right on 72 just as you come in to Athens. It's just before you cross I65. They have some great southern barbecue and the place is decorated for anglers. I love their pulled ham. Try their baked potatoe with barbecue of your choice on it. (1506 Highway 72 East Athens, AL 35611. If you're on I65 its just east off Exit 351. going north, Exit 2 going South. It's across the street from Wendy's)
As you continue on to Florence you need to stop at a tackle shop called West End. As the name implies, it's on the West end of Athens, 17171 Highway 72 West, Athens, AL 35611, 888-646-9303. (http://www.bassbuckandduck.com/) It's in a gas station. That's right a gas station, but it's the best tackle shop you'll ever walk in to. They have more Lucky Crafts, River 2Sea, etc. than any three, no make it six Bass Pro Shops. The amount of inventory that they have at that shop will amaze you.
If you bring your boat to Pickwick, you may want to put it in at Wilson at the dam between Wilson and Wheeler. It has a lot of shallow arms that will probably have a good deal of fish spawning. If not I'll talk to you about the rock piles down by the Wilson/Wheeler Dam. That's where Kevin Wirth fished when I rode with him Day 3 last year.
I got your PM and will give you a call Thursday night.

[djkimmel]

Dan - Tour Guide

[Dan]

Kind of funny, I mentioned you pulling your boat over to Pickwick and stopping at Wilson at the Wilson/Wheeler Dam ramp and fishing the rock piles at the dam. Then I look on Bass Fan today and here is Tim Horton talking up the area.  Check it out with this link: http://www.fishpickwicklake.com/horton.html