Bassmaster Founder’s Personal “Sportsmen’s Paradise” Goes on Sale
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.24.16
Is this what paradise looks like? Described as one of America’s best private bass fisheries and a sportsmen’s paradise, the large sprawling estate of B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott in central Alabama is now up for sale. According to National Land Reality, the property includes over 200 acres in Montgomery County with 74 acres of managed fishing lakes, a 4,976-square-foot ranch-style home, boat house, guest cabin, and 80-acre high-fence enclosure. The property has been visited by both George H.W Bush and his son, George W. Bush, as well as Chuck Yeager, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn—who caught the biggest bass in his career during his stay—and many others. Named “Legacy Lakes” by Scott, the estate is a property that many sportsmen would love to own, but it does come with a steep price tag. The listing price for the property is $3.4 million.
Some might still consider that a bargain. Scott, now 82, says he will be retiring to another property he owns nearby.
“It’s tough to leave” Scott told B.A.S.S. writer Ken Duke. “But I won’t be far away. I’ll be across the hill on a secluded side of the property in a small cottage on an old 16- acre lake. It’s perfect for me, my wife and our three dogs. I only hope that the next owner will enjoy the estate as much as we have.”
The property is arguably most famous for its two lakes, the 55-acre Presidents Lake and the 14-acre Red Eagle Lake. Both contain a population of all-female Florida-strain largemouth bass, as well as bait fish such as bluegill, shad, and shiners for forage.
The property was custom designed by Scott and built in 1986. The legendary angler, known to some as the godfather of bass fishing or simply, “Bass Boss,” lived here with his wife Susan until recently, when the couple started loaning out the property to anglers as a premium retreat. You can see a virtual tour of the property below:
