Great Escapes: Birmingham, Alabama
On Aug. 11, the most lucrative event in professional bass fishing, the Forrest Wood Cup, will kick off on Logan Martin Lake near Birmingham, Ala. The tournament is certain to produce impressive catches of the infamous Coosa River spotted bass – one of the most tenacious sport-fish species.
Accompanying the prestigious championship is a huge boat and outdoor show with more than 140 exhibits representing companies from around the outdoor industry. In keeping with FLW Outdoors’ family-friendly focus, there is no admission fee for either the tournament weigh-ins or the boat and outdoor show.
So you want to make a trip to Birmingham to check out the best pro anglers in the world, the latest tackle innovations and the excellent fishing, but your significant other is not exactly brimming with anticipation for a week revolving around fishing. Fortunately, Birmingham has a lot of other great activities to offer.
The city
Birmingham, with a metro-area population nearing 1 million, lies in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in north-central Alabama. With a scenic landscape, bustling economy and pleasant climate, it is no mystery why so many people live in and visit the city each year. Additionally, the city is centrally located in the Southeast – it is less than 300 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the south and the Great Smoky Mountains to the northeast.
Outdoor attractions
If the family enjoys outdoor-related activities that do not include fishing, then Birmingham is the place to go. Great hiking and camping can be found at nearby lakes as well as Talladega, William Bankhead National Forests and Oak Mountain State Park, which borders the southern side of the city. DeSoto and Rickwood caverns, both a short drive from Birmingham, offer views of huge, fascinating underground rock formations.
Other options include floating the scenic Cahaba River, visiting the 100-acre Birmingham Zoo, enjoying Visionland, a 70-acre amusement and water park, or playing the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Indoor attractions
Indoor attractions in and around Birmingham are just as abundant as outdoor attractions. Certain to grab the attention of kids and adults alike, the McWane Center is a state-of-the-art science center and IMAX Dome theater in the downtown area. Tens of thousands of tourists visit the McWane Center every year.
All serious racing fans are familiar with Talladega Superspeedway just east of Birmingham, but many may not realize that the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum is adjacent to the speedway. The site houses more than 100 vehicles and memorabilia valued at more than $20 million and includes a race-car simulator. Other indoor attractions include the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum – the largest motorcycle museum in the United States – and the great shopping and restaurants of Cobb Lane and the Summit shopping center.
Fishing opportunities
Then, of course, there are the fishing opportunities. Birmingham is the hub of trophy spotted-bass fishing. No other place in the world offers the number of world-class spotted-bass fisheries.
A short drive to the north and west of Birmingham lies Lewis Smith Lake, a gorgeous impoundment that snakes through valleys in every direction. Holder of several previous world-record spots, the chances of catching a 7-pound spot are real on Lewis Smith. The lake recently produced an obese spotted bass in the 9-pound range.
Not too far to the east and south of Birmingham meanders the Coosa River and several of its impoundments – H. Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay and Mitchell lakes. Often considered the best spotted-bass fisheries in the world, the chain of lakes often provides exciting and steady fishing action during the summer months.
For more information on activities and attractions in the Birmingham area, contact the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 458-8085. For more information on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship Boat and Outdoor Show, call (270) 252-1000 or click here.