I grew up in Hoover and fished every creek and pond I could walk to within a day, before I got my license then I just fished Bankhead. Lake crest on 150 is not a bad drive from y'all. Just park where there pool or clubhouse is right across from the chevron and walk to the lake. There are some really nice bass there I would catch 4-5 lb out there about 2-3 years after they built the lake. Know one ever gave me a hard time about fishing the lake and not living there.