Springfield is awesome...lots of nice sized bass nothing too crazy (im sure giants are in there)...lots of 2-3 pounders....how to find them/catch them depends on when your going?
I know you like cats...should be fairly easy to get into them...try stinksbaits/cheesebaits.
There's a lake not too far from there called Lake Jackson or Jacksonville (not too sure) that is supposed to be phenomonal. I met the guy from the tv show "Time on the Water" (I think is name is Frank Hyla) and he said that of all the lakes he has fished for bass he was most impressed with Jackson.
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