Headed to Atlanta about October 21st--Alabama Fishing

I'll be in Atlanta the week of 10/21 to visit two of my aunts. While I'm there, I'm thinking about heading over into Alabama for a little crappie fishing. I'll only have one day to do it (much as I'd rather, it's not really a fishing trip), so I'll probably hire a guide.

Anyway, looking for a recommendation for a good lake within a reasonable 2-3 hour drive of Atlanta. Plan would be to haul my butt outa bed early, get to the lake, do some fishin, and head back the same day, probably on a week day. Keep in mind that I can catch good numbers of 10-12" fish at that time of year in Ohio, so I'm looking for something different. Really don't plan on keeping anything, unless I get lucky and get a wall-hanger (guess I'd better define wall hanger before I get there :) ). I like to pitch jigs, shoot docks, long pole shallow, etc., but I'm up very anything.

Guntersville would probably be the outer limits of a three hour drive from Atlanta. Weiss would be a little closer, but of course, Weiss gets hit hard. I can't speak for the lake that I-10 crosses between Atlanta and Birmingham (never can remember the name of that dern lake), but it would be inside your drive time.

That would be Logan Martin off I20 at Pell City. The problem I see is that most of the fish that are caught this time of year out of all the lakes around here will be about the same size as what you catch at home. Most big fish will be caught in spring. The only full time guide I know of is David Stancil. He has a web sight but I don't know the name of it. A google search will prob lead you to it. Good luck and give us a report if you do get to go.

Thanks fellas. Not sure I'll go. I'd always heard the fish were bigger down south, but guess it depends on the lake, just like up here. Anyway, appreciate the information.