Vero Chronicles #4

[Bud Kennedy]

VERO TROPHY BASS LAKES FINAL CHAPTER

The trip is over and the long drive back to Myrtle Beach has been completed.  Time now to reflect on a couple factors about this trip.

First let me say that our guide Nathan Adams could not have been more accommodating.  He fulfilled his duties without any problems and never complained about anything.  He did all that was asked of him and kept an even keel throughout the entire two days.  Kudos Nathan for a job well done.

Trips like this one are obviously not for everyone.  I would not recommend this trip to anyone who does not appreciate the seclusion of this place.  This is not an entertainment venue but it is a fishing paradise.  As I described earlier in my reports this is a perfect place for a couple of guys on a fishing mission.  There is only one bathroom and the sleeping rooms are small and the only TV in the place is in the living room.  This is a great place just to be quiet and relaxed.  I am not a very social person anyway so this was perfect for my tastes.

You really would not have to bring any tackle equipment on a trip here.  The guides equipment would do just fine but it is certainly not high end but I assure you it is quite functional.  There are two guides in this facility and each would have their own selection of customer used rods for your selection.  My preference was to use my own stuff but I did not bring baits of any kind.  All baits used belonged to the guide.  This just becomes a matter of personal preference would be the best way to describe it.

During this trip, expenses were shared 50/50 with Doc Irv.  My spending at Vero for the guide and the room totaled $850.00.  That was for three nights lodging and 2 days of fishing.  I felt this was very fair for a facility like this but may seem a tad high as compared to public water fishing.  I also spent some money for groceries to cover lunch and a bit of supper.  We did go out one evening to a local bar/grill/restaurant. 

The big question is would I do this trip again?  My answer is a big fat yes.  Currently I am thinking that a return to Vero Trophy Bass Lakes will once again be my choice to continue the infamous bucket list search for the elusive 10 Lb bass.  If this old man can still stand to drive the 10 hours each way and then have the stamina to withstand full day fishing there is no question about a repeat performance.

For those of you that are thinking about a trip to Vero to test your fishing prowess, I highly recommend visiting Vero Trophy Bass Lakes.  It had everything I wanted even though I did not achieve my bucket list goal.  For sure my life long target is here just waiting for me to give it a reason to bite.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me any time and I will be happy to answer your questions.  My thanks to all who have been following my many posts about this trip over the past few months.  Hopefully you enjoyed my excitement and anticipation.

[Donald Garner]

Bud, glad you had a relaxing and a successful trip.  I've enjoyed reading the previous posting you made reference this trip. 

[FlatsNBay]

What a great trip and great reports too. They were as detailed as you could get and will be a huge help for anybody else interested.

I'm glad y'all had a great time. I normally don't recommend anything unless I'm all in with a really really good positive experience. I knew you'd have a great time.

A couple of questions for you, was it your choice or the guide's to fish just the one lake and not the other? When I went, the guide offered to spend a half day in each lake. I chose to fish the opposite lake that you fished and there was a bit more cover than you described in lake that you fished. The other lake had quite a bit of timber in it and submerged palm trees. We even did some flipping and pitching in some matts of vegetation.

The second question was did you or Doc  try any of his soft plastics? Any other baits?

I'll be back too. It's a great place.

Sent from my moto e5 play using Tapatalk

[Bud Kennedy]

Steve it was totally the guides choice for what lake we would fish.  He kind of indicated we would fish both lakes on our last day but it never happened.  I would have liked to know about the cover etc of the north lake.  I guess I really did not pay attention and just went with the flow.

I personally did not try any soft plastics but Doc did and had some good success but the fish were quite a bit smaller and seemed to be in the mood to short strike.  Our guide also put on a worm for a short while but he too experience the bites as very light and not at all aggressive.  FYI, since Doc is a maker of all types of soft plastics he had brought two totes full of baits and offered them to the guide and myself if we wanted any. 

Next visit I certainly want to fish both lakes.  I guess since the South lake was producing such good quality fish on the first day the trip to the north just got forgotten.  Oh well, live and learn.

[Bud Kennedy]

Steve, I forgot to mention that I did throw a 1/4 oz lipless crank for a short while.  No takers at all and the wind made it difficult to cast.  Doc tried a spinnerbait and got one fish but mostly it was the chatterbait and the spook.

[Wizard]

You made us feel that we were on the trip with you.

Wizard

[Bud Kennedy]

You made us feel that we were on the trip with you.

Wizard

Thanks Wizard, I do appreciate your comment.  I will admit that I was very surprised and encouraged by all the folks who followed this adventure from the very beginning from the initial idea through the planning phases and then the long count down until the trip date became reality.  It has been a very rewarding experience for me personally and I hope it provided solid entertainment value to the members here on Ultimate Bass.

[FishaHallic]

That is some good info Bud, that price was less than I expected with 2 days of guided trips in private waters full of big fish. 

[Bud Kennedy]

That is some good info Bud, that price was less than I expected with 2 days of guided trips in private waters full of big fish.

Just let me re state.  My cost was $850.  This is half of the total cost of $1700.  Doc also paid $850,  Also the cost I quote includes half of the lodging cost.

[Oldfart9999]

A great trip with some wonderful memories!!! Thanks for sharing it with us Bud!!!
Rodney