i need some opinions fellas

[Luke]

the family and i are wanting to go on vacation this year and we have decided to head down your alls way
im looking at trying to go for a week and stay at a resort down there around one of the lakes....would really like to get into some of the Coosa Spots so was thinking Lay Lake..but i need some place that is close to some other stuff to do for the kids as well...we all like to be on the lake but i want to be able to take the kids to some other stuff as well....so give me some ideas on what all there is to do down there that the kids would prob enjoy and where i could still get on some good Coosa River Spots...need some ideas fellas and the more info i have the better off ill be...websites anything i can look at and show the wife

[Jason Phillips]

Good to see you posting Luke. Haven't noticed you on here in a while.

If you're going to Lay, you aren't terribly far from Birmingham. There are several things to do there for the kids, but I really suggest the McWayne (sp?) Center. It's a hands-on science museum that is really cool. It also has an IMAX theatre. You can spend almost a day in there and the kids really like it.

There's also a new BassPro in Leeds.

[CrankinStein]

I live north of Birmingham and don't really get down that way very much but I found a few things listed on the below site.
http://www.birminghamal.org/ttd-attractions.html

If I were you I wouldn't miss fishing Guntersville while you are this close! What time of the year will you be here? Guntersville State Park is a great place to stay if you don't need to be that close to Birmingham.

Regards,
Alan

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Like crankinstein said,It's going to depend on what time of year for the kid stuff, don't forget about Logan martin if your looking for spots.

[Luke]

we are planning on being down there sometime around May-June area i think
prob wont be able to go to more than one lake but might be able to hopefully
if you had to choose one lake for spots what would it be Lay or Logan Martin?
and also need some ideas on some resorts to stay at on the lake as well

[Jason Phillips]

If I was set on fishing for spots, I'd throw Smith into the mix.

[ChrisH]

if i was going spot fishing it would be January or Feb.

[CrankinStein]

I can't really think of any resorts on Lay or Logan Martin. There are a few small hotels but they are not resorts by any stretch of the imagination. The area closest to one of those lakes with lot of food and stuff nearby might be Leeds (where the new BPS is located). It would still be 15-20 miles from the lake. They have built some new hotels and restaurants in the last few years. Resorts would have to be on the Tenn. River. Guntersville or Wheeler State Parks but they are not close to any spot fishing. Maybe someone that live in Birmingham will chime in soon.

CrankinStein.

[fish recycler]

This may be a stretch, but I was trying to put myself in your shoes.....

you could always rent a cabin at Oak Mountain State Park (www.outdooralabama.com) and that would put you halfway between downtown Birmingham (15 min. from Oak Mtn.) and Lay Lake. That way you could go back and forth with the kids at the McWane (www.mcwane.org) Center, zoo, movies, bowling, etc. and to the lake (approx. 15-20 minutes from Oak Mtn). Inside the OM State Park, there are hiking, biking, swimming beach, golf course, and 2 nice fishing lakes (no motors). You are also convenient to resturants (less than 5 minutes). The Bass Pro is about 20 miles up the road on Hwy 119 which is the road where the State Park is located on. There is a water park about 20 miles out (www.alabamaadventure.com), but I have never been there.

Unfortunately, Lay Lake doesn't have any places to stay on the lake. It will be warm....

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CrankinStein &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can't really think of any resorts on Lay or Logan Martin. There are a few small hotels but they are not resorts by any stretch of the imagination. The area closest to one of those lakes with lot of food and stuff nearby might be Leeds (where the new BPS is located). It would still be 15-20 miles from the lake. They have built some new hotels and restaurants in the last few years. Resorts would have to be on the Tenn. River. Guntersville or Wheeler State Parks but they are not close to any spot fishing. Maybe someone that live in Birmingham will chime in soon.

CrankinStein.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I though there was one on logan martin???

Alabamaadventure has two different sections,one like a water park and the other is like a smaller version of six flags .Takes about two days to do everything there. They have added a lot of new rides in the last couple years.


Modified by CRIMSONGAMBLER at 8:20 AM 11/26/2008
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-r...-lake
Try this and maybe somebody will chime in about the condos or resort on logan martin. Looked like a good deal on the house rental in the link above.


Modified by CRIMSONGAMBLER at 8:26 AM 11/26/2008

[Luke]

we been talkin about it some and i think we might end up going to Guntersville and stay at Covenant cove...seems to be a lot around that area to
whats the fishing around June...other than Hot how is the grass? we dont have a lot of grass up here so that will be really new to me

[ReelDoc]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">we been talkin about it some and i think we might end up going to Guntersville and stay at Covenant cove...seems to be a lot around that area to
whats the fishing around June...other than Hot how is the grass? we dont have a lot of grass up here so that will be really new to me</TD></TR></TABLE>
Luke,

If you do stay at Covenant Cove, do yourself a favor and eat at Top O The River one night. It's just a couple buildings down the street and they have good seafood. My wife and I celebrated our anniversary there in 2007.

Be sure to check out the fish tank just inside the front door - I had to look a couple times to convince myself those really were crappie!!!

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Good choice, Been a few years but i spent all my vacations there and hit my birthday and fathers day the same week.Grass will be good, I loved it at night, you can run it easy on a full moon, that is why my avatar is a full moon.Grass,rocks,more piers than you can fish in a week. If the wind picks up don't run from it, just hit a causeway with a spinner bait or crank and hang on. Don't be afraid to fish in two feet of water with grass midday in june. Get a map because there are loads of humps and road beds. We are having the southern rally in april there so check back with us and maybe these guys can load you with info before you get here. And if you do go to the restaurant next door, beware of the seafood platter, it's huge. They start you out with cornbread and cold slaw Man!! this is making me want to go now. See ya.

[ReelDoc]

Me too CRIMSONGAMBLER. Luke, this is Top O The River as seen from the waterfront. Covenant Cove is just out of the picture to the left.



And this is the seafood platter -- after we've put a dent in it!! Cornbread in the cast iron skillet and cole slaw in the aluminum measuring cup -- great eats!!



And this is my lovely bride with some old fat guy! That's the causeway in the left background. The restaurant is behind the photographer.



BTW - Covenant Cove is only about 35 miles from the spot where we're planning to retire next summer. If your trip gets moved to July or later, let me know - we'll wet a line and have some !!


Modified by ReelDoc at 12:14 AM 11/27/2008


Modified by ReelDoc at 12:15 AM 11/27/2008

[Luke]

got in touch with Sue at Covenant Cove and ill have to decide quick on what we have to do and get some reservations...looks like they are already almost full for June