My dad and I are lifelong largemouth bass fishermen, but we've never made a dedicated trip for trophy smallmouth. I am planning something special for his 70th birthday, ideally a trip that delivers both size and numbers, with a top-tier guide who can put us on quality fish even if we're a little green on smallmouth-specific tactics.

Questions for anyone who's done a trip like this:

• Which location would you pick for a genuine "trip of a lifetime", best shot at 5-6lb+ fish along with solid numbers?
• Best time of year to book for peak conditions?
• Any specific guides or outfitters you've personally fished with and would recommend (or steer clear of)
• Multi-day trip vs. one big day, worth doing 2-3 days with the same guide, or is a single great day enough?

We're both experienced anglers, just new to smallmouth-specific water and tactics, so any guidance welcome. Budget isn't the primary constraint as this is about doing it right for a big milestone birthday. Thanks in advance!

I've been to northeast South Dakota three times and their glacial lakes have a lot of nice small mouth. Caught several 17 plus inch ones. Also walleye, perch, and northern to be caught too.
https://www.fishhunterguideservice.com/ This is the guide service we used. There's several lakes in the area they take you to

SouthpawAggie said:

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My dad and I are lifelong largemouth bass fishermen, but we've never made a dedicated trip for trophy smallmouth. I am planning something special for his 70th birthday, ideally a trip that delivers both size and numbers, with a top-tier guide who can put us on quality fish even if we're a little green on smallmouth-specific tactics.

Questions for anyone who's done a trip like this:

• Which location would you pick for a genuine "trip of a lifetime", best shot at 5-6lb+ fish along with solid numbers?
• Best time of year to book for peak conditions?
• Any specific guides or outfitters you've personally fished with and would recommend (or steer clear of)
• Multi-day trip vs. one big day, worth doing 2-3 days with the same guide, or is a single great day enough?

We're both experienced anglers, just new to smallmouth-specific water and tactics, so any guidance welcome. Budget isn't the primary constraint as this is about doing it right for a big milestone birthday. Thanks in advance!

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I would recommend looking at one of the Tennessee river lakes - wheeler, Wilson or Pickwick. I lived in that area many years ago and Pickwick is considered one the best. I tried looking up the local legend guide of that time , Steve Hacker, but his website appears to be well out of date. Beautiful rolling hill country over in the Tenn/Miss/Alabama corner area.

I've fished practice for Bassmaster elite tournaments with my uncle on several of the Great Lakes and caught some great Smallies. They can get rough though in a bass boat.

Thank you all. Very helpful.

@Gunny456 - any guides / outfitters you would recommend in Michigan?

I'll try to get you some contacts and numbers.