Ray Scott strode into the room at the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association’s conference in Huntsville, Alabama and his larger than life fun filled personality immediately captivated those in attendance. One couldn’t help but notice and be enamored by this living legend with the modern day Horatio Alger story. Ray Scott, from Montgomery, AL is an Alabama native and entrepreneur who turned his passion for bass fishing and salesmanship into the world’s largest sport fishing organization and spawned a mega-million dollar bass fishing industry. Scott was there to promote Alabama Black Belt Adventures and his Trophy Bass Retreat. If you grew up watching B.A.S.S. unfold as I did, then you know all about Ray Scott and his trophy bass lakes situated near Pintlala, Ala.

    Scott’s lakes became known nationally when he hosted a series of bass tournaments pairing legends of the bass fishing world such as Rick Clunn, Bill Dance and Kevin Van Dam with other celebrities and nationally known figures such as President George Bush and others to raise money for the construction of Pintlala Baptist Church. In the process anglers around the country were able to catch a glimpse of the fantastic fishing at the lake. Rick Clunn caught a behemoth 13 pound 15 ounce bass during the tournament that still stands as the Lake Record.

    The lake, dubbed the Presidents Lake by the press for multiple visits by both Presidents Bush, was personally designed by Scott some 25 years ago as the centerpiece of his rural property about 15 miles south of Montgomery.

    Prior to opening the lakes to the public last November 2009, Scott held an early bird group to test the waters. Jim Kientz, executive director of Ray Scott Outdoors, was scorekeeper for the two days of fishing. Kientz said that each boat caught an estimated 40 to 45 bass each day with trophy catches of 10-8, 10-2, and 9-12. “There was a host of 5 to 7 pound bass caught along with a boatload of 3 to 4 pounders,” stated Kientz.  To top it off Federal Judge Bill Roberts from D. C. caught two bass over ten pounds in the first six hours of fishing!

    While they can’t guarantee that you’ll catch a behemoth like Rick Clunn, they can offer the opportunity to catch huge bass and lots of them while staying at the premier bass fishing destination in the country.

    In the May 2010 issue of Outdoor Life Magazine Ray Scott’s private bass lake was named the top bass water in the U. S. in a short list of five bass fishing destinations worldwide. It was also featured in the May/June issue of Sporting Classics. “It’s really awesome,” said Scott. “We didn’t even know that Outdoor Life was coming out with the article.”

Bed, breakfast and bass

    As founder of the world’s largest sportfishing organization, Scott’s lakes are the culmination of a lifetime of working to create the ultimate bass environment for both the fish and the angler as well. Scott’s Trophy Bass Retreat actually has three trophy bass lakes and is part of his “ranch” as he likes to call the Spanish moss-draped property in Pintlala, Ala.

    Scott was inspired to open his home and his lakes to the angling public as an enthusiastic supporter of a state sponsored initiative called Alabama Black Belt Adventures (www.alabamablackbeltadventures.com) which is dedicated to highlighting the many outdoor facilities for fishing, hunting and shooting that dot a historic swath of Alabama known as the Black Belt for its rich dark soil.

    Scott has several packages that offer anglers and outdoor enthusiasts a chance at experiencing the ultimate in southern hospitality. “I love entertaining people but I know what attracts folks to the Scott house and it ain’t breakfast or a bed,” said Scott. “Nonetheless we aim to provide great dining and accommodations as part of our exclusive bassing package. We want to offer more than just a fishing trip. We want it to be an experience, hopefully the bass fishing experience of a lifetime. There’s so much history here, and calendar permitting I aim to spend time with every group.”

    If you want a chance to experience the bass fishing trip of a lifetime while staying in the ultimate accommodations contact Ray Scott Outdoors at their office 800-518-7222 or visit them at www.rayscottbassretreat.com.

    Contact  Mike Giles at 601-917-3898 or e-mail him at mikegiles18@comcast.net