I've got the last week of August off for a fishing vacation. First purely fishing vacation I've done as an adult, so I'm excited. Looking for recommendations for places to stay for a group of 4-6 people, with 2-3 boats. I/we are flexible in where we go. The main goal is to go somewhere we can get into a bunch of BIG smallies. We want to be chasing 5+ pounders as often as possible. Champlain would be the best/most convenient spots to fish, but I don't think it's quite got the number of 5's and bigger like the St Lawrence does. But then again, I only have fishing reports, TV shows, and BASS Elite events to go off of for what I know of Champlain.
The lakes & areas I'm kicking around right now are:
Champlain for the whole week near Burlington (I also LOVE my craft beer so that would be a good spot to be at)
Champlain for a half week (same area) then down to Candlewood for a half week
St Lawrence River for the whole week in or near Clayton, NY (this is pretty much the furthest I'm willing to drive, looked at some other great spots but the drive distances are pretty rough)
Any area really in Maine. I love the idea of being deep in the back woods away from everyone and everything, and bouncing around a couple of lakes.
I'm wide open to other suggestions! I thought about Erie but I'll admit, that's a bit on the far side for drive time for me. That and I don't know if there's enough smaller water nearby to fish if the wind becomes an issue on Erie, and I've only got my 19' Skeeter. Thank you in advance!