In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Known for monster striped bass, Smith Lake AKA Lewis Smith Lake is a 21,000-acre lake located in north-central Alabama about an hour north of Birmingham. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. This means gorgeous, blissful privacy and stunning natural scenery. A fisherman reported seeing a 20-foot-long creature with large fins slithering near the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface. 175 County Road 312 Anglers can catch plenty of decent-sized catfish from shore, but they often catch the largest catfish in the cut to the right of the Bartletts Ferry Hydro Dam or in the dams tailwaters in the Chattahoochee River below the dam itself. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. While many of the worlds largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the Mississippi paddlefish, lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, and the alligator gar. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. On his trip to the Tennessee Aquarium, Hogan dove with fish in its new River Giants exhibit so he could experience swimming with the over-sized specimens. A 43,000-acre lake divided between Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, this giant impoundment on the Tennessee River provides some of the best big catfish angling between the three states. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. So the fish will be suspended in the upper third of the water. Anglers may be able to catch shad at the back of the lake by cast net or buy them from a bait shop. #1. Convenience Store: NEARBY One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. Folks, however, swear cats have . For the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Anglers can catch some catfish from the docks, but most anglers there are fishing for panfish and using nightcrawlers or even crappie pellets under a cork when a surprise catfish strikes. How many rods can you fish with in Alabama? Catfishing Fall Catfishing for Trophy Flatheads on Lay Lake Apex predators, flatheads don't conform to catfishing stereotypes. Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . He said she caught her bi one of the best places in Alabama to go crappie fishing, where the attention turns to redfish and other saltwater fishing, check out our complete guide to catfish fishing techniques. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. Images by Vic Dunaway. READ SOMETHING ELSE. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. And the water a smith lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point. Anglers can find plenty of sizable flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. With blue catfish regularly caught over 50 pounds, Wilson Lake has deeper holes in its lower half, and the upper end features a strong current due to Wheeler Dam. Although its most well-known for trophy largemouth and spotted bass, anglers catch a variety of species in this reservoir, including massive channel and flathead catfish, rainbow trout, and world-record striped bass. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod, Choosing the Best Lithium Marine Batteries for 2023. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. By boat, anglers should also try the rocks lining Bumpass Creek Road, where they may find the occasional blue or channel catfish lurking amongst the boulders or near the underpass. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? Globally, there are 27 kinds of sturgeons. The Western side of Smith Lake is crowned by the 180,000 acre Bankhead National Forest,and the Sipsey Wilderness home to Alabamas largest tree, the Big Tree. 55 Marina Drive In exotic locales, yes. This lake snakes its way across the forested northwestern Alabama Hill Country with various creeks and small channels filled with cover, making it a flathead paradise in addition to an excellent bass lake. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. Casting these baits into the mouths of channels, cuts, and even near the dam itself is a surefire way to attract the attention of a hungry catfish. Pickwick has around two miles of the public swimming beach, but it is unsupervised. The really big catfish are not nearly as good to eat as the smaller ones, and the big ones are the brood fish that continually re-stock the lake with more catfish. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. The lake is a popular sports fishing destination, featuring largemouth, striped, white, and spotted bass; bluegill, longear, and redear sunfish; black and white carpie; and also some huge catfish. Click images for fishing tips and details about each species. With average summer water temperatures of 80, youll definitely want to pack your swim suits. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. I weigh big catfish while they are still in the net, and then I give them time to settle down before we take pictures, Captain Brian says. Here, the mouth of Yellow Leaf Creek and the shoreline north of Dry Branch towards the dam are both easy-to-access locations you can fish at Lay Lake. Some of these stories we hear about Volkswagon-sized catfish and people seeing serpents in the water come from older times when probably even bigger animals and fish were living in rivers and lakes, Hogan said. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". . Know before you go Cullman and Winston County are dry (no alcohol is available) while Walker County allows alcohol sales with the limitation that no alcohol may be purchased on a Sunday. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan), Ive been traveling to different locations around the world investigating stories of very large fish, he said by telephone Tuesday. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. When it comes to shore fishing from the Alabama side, the Waterloo Boat Ramp and Second Creek Recreation Area offer anglers easy access to deep water from shore. The best fishing for big cats occurs when the dams are generating maximum current. A number of guides on the major north Alabama lakes can put anglers on these monster catfish. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. Restaurant: YES. April and May are the prime time. Also referred to as Converse Reservoir, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County is filled with channel catfish, bass, and sunfish. Anglers should note that in recent years, chemical drain-off has affected the edibility of fish in over 200 waterways, so check with your local Fish and Game office before consuming any fish from Alabama waterways. With over 500 miles of shoreline everyone can wet a line and know there is that chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. Rentals: Pontoon boats Boat Launch Ramp: YES Nat Geo WILD describes the episode on giant catfish in a press release: Lured by stories of catfish the size of Volkswagens, Zeb is on a mission to find out if the legendary giant catfish of the South really exists.. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. White Oak Creek is another spot where anglers can trace its tributaries far past the campground and into murky, structure-filled water perfect for flatheads and largemouths. In a . Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Big catfish show up well on fish finder units, and good electronics can really cut down on the search time when were looking for big cats. The mouth of Havoc Branch or the cuts on either side of Seales Nursery are upstream from the dam but still have a decent current with relatively deep channels. RV Hookups: YES Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. This 12,510-acre reservoir is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish you can catch from a dock or a boat. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. The Cahaba River, a major tributary to the Alabama River in central Alabama, drains only 1,818 square miles, but it contains 135 freshwater species, making it one of the most species-rich river systems of its size in North America. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Fishermen tell tall tales.". | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. As with the dam, mooring outside the channel and casting a bottom rig into the mouth is the best way to avoid spooking the fish while still placing your set-up in the best position. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. 256 286-0050. I tried in 105' of water and got nothing. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Caught off the coast of Ceduna, Australia, in 1959, it took angler Alfred Dean just 50 minutes to win the fight against this one-ton shark. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. Dale County Lake or Ed Lisenby Lake is a 92-acre (370,000 m 2) lake located 1 mile (2 km) north of Roy Parker Road (Dale County Road 36) in Ozark. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. His goal: catch a monster catfish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. Home to striped bass and catfish, this area is rich with shad and features a stiff current over plenty of deep holes where anglers can hook into some truly impressive fish. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. 205 387-1208. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Cullman, AL 35057 The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. It does not store any personal data. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! Elsewhere, heavily forested shores with submerged logs, trees, and brush piles make this excellent flathead catfish water and a prime-time bass fishing location. Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 41 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. This 9,200-acre reservoir along the Black River in west-central Alabama is a catfish haven. They are worthy of respect. March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. 7 oz. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. They cant be simply lipped and lifted into the boat. Book your fishing trip today. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Its possible to hook very large catfish on standard-issue fishing gear. Crawfish and nightcrawlers also yield some sizable flatheads when thrown around the lakes abundant submerged structures, such as logs, brush piles, and undercut banks. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. In Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the Lake sturgeon. No matter what species of catfish you hope to catch at Lake Martin, your best bet is to stick with a bottom rig baited with live shad, minnows, or small sunfish. Farther downstream, anglers will find success angling for flatheads along the Alabama Rivers banks by fishing along the heavily forested shoreline and working deep corks over submerged structures. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. A quality rod holder allows the fish to eat and take the bait without an over-eager angler trying to set the hook. For big blue cats and channel catfish, working the top of the dams overflow with a bottom rig or the dams tailwaters are both great opportunities for anglers to break out the beloved bottom rigs and use stink bait, cut bait, or liver to set the hook on a monster. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. As mentioned, the dam is always an excellent choice. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. Anglers should moor outside the channel opening and cast into the current, letting the scent drift into the moving water and drawing the catfish out from near the dam. Yes, the state does stock trout on the lower side of the damn ,and the water is always cold on that side, I"m talking about the upper side, Very deep water alote of current and alote of shad. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. Fish Species & State Records in Alabama Bass Largemouth bass World record: 22 lbs 4 oz State Record: 16 lbs 8 oz Smallmouth bass World record: 11 lbs 15 oz State Record: 10 lbs 8 oz Spotted bass World record: 9 lbs 8 oz But there is no physical evidence of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers. At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Ive seen one, Hogan said. 4 pounds 12 ouncesThe Biggest Bluegill in the World The world record bluegill recorded by IGFA or the International Gamefish Association was caught in 1950 at Ketona Lake, Alabama. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. The ultimate respect an angler can show such a magnificent fish is to admire it, photograph it, weigh and measure it, and then release it back into the water safely. While many of the world's largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. Car-sized catfish do exist. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. Further into the creeks, angular should target structure with a deep cork or work the cut or channel mouths with bottom rigs baited with small live crappie, shad, or crawfish. Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. Are you dreaming about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake? Gizzard Shad. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass? This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Rainbow trout are stocked in the Smith Lake tailwaters from Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery and in Madison County Public Fishing Lake from private sources. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. Also fueling the big fish tales is the fact that river creatures likely grew even larger in the past, before humans and chemicals interfered with habitats. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. Leda likes that on the Cullman side, you can be in downtown Cullman in 15 minutes and enjoy luxuries youd expect, while getting back the wilderness shortly after. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. Since the bite on Wilson and Pickwick was slow, I contacted Mike Mitchell of Albertville who has a great deal of experience on Wheeler Lake to see if we could locate a trophy fish. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. Using a live minnow, shad, or crawfish, anglers should target submerged structures such as fallen trees or undercut banks to rip into massive flathead. Supposedly, the record is a 123 lb. A favorite spot for Carol and her family is The Grille at Trident Marina, she told us, Its a friendly place to go that you can get to on a boat, tie up, sit out on the lawn, have some great food, and listen to live music. However, Alabama is home to some of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be found anywhere. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. From fried catfish to the most excellent pulled BBQ pork found anywhere in the US, Alabama is unrivaled when it comes to throwing down in the kitchen. The Yates Dam makes for some incredible angling locations along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! All Rights Reserved. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? Hoover resident Carol DiPlacido talked with me about her familys decision to purchase a weekend lakeside cabin on Smith Lake, and it turns out being easy and quick to get to was an important factor. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. What is the name of the largest fish found in Alabama freshwater? Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. The best size hook for catching small stripers is a size 2/0 hook, while the best size hook for catching big stripers is a size 7/0 hook. Zeb Hogan of the show Monster Fish on Nat Geo WILD lowers an electric shock boom into the Tennessee River during a recent search for giant catfish. Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. Largemouths | Lake Eufaula. The father/son team had a two-day. In the low light and during the frenzied feed, they hit just about anythinga zig-zagging Spook is a good starter, but sometimes its necessary to downsize a bit to some of the smaller floater divers like the Rapala or Rebel. Captain Brian advises us about appropriate equipment. Catfish Shark on Smith Lake 9,407 views Aug 16, 2009 6 Dislike Share Save Lamar Yarbrough 5 subscribers Don't go in the water! Towns on the lake include Bremen, Crane Hill and Dodge City in Cullman County; Curry and Jasper in Walker County; and Addison, Arley, Houston, and Double Springs in Winston County. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. 256 737-7131if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Trident Marine - Lay Lake A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. April. Even though a big part of staying at the lake is grilling out and watching the sun go down over the water, sometimes its nice to have somebody else do the cooking! Additionally, the rock formations to the left of the dam on the Alabama side provide great structure and spawning grounds for catfish during the spring. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. Amenities. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target the feeder creeks and stump flats, where anglers can catch catfish, crappie, and bass side by side. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. Smith Lake does have a slot limit between 13-15 inches in length, and it is illegal to possess a black bass that measures in the slot. 205 384-6942, Grace's Retreat What is the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama? In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. What pound test should I use for striped bass? Rich with minnows, shad, and small sunfish, Lake Martins clear water is home to drop-offs, ledges, and rock bluffs with undercut banks that make for some excellent catfish structures. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. We just felt wed use a cabin at the lake a whole lot more if it were a little over an hour away, as opposed to a five hour trip to the beach, and we were right said Carol. May. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. In cool weather months, its not uncommon for anglers to fish for seven or eight hours to get only four or five bitesits not usually a fast, hot bite. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. The results of his research will appear in the first episode of a new season of Monster Fish at 9 p.m. Central time on July 5. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. Alabama Catfish Prospects for Summer During summer, blue and flathead catfish offer anglers an opportunity to [] Bloodworms and Sandworms as Striped Bass Baits Bloodworms and sandworms are highly effective striper baits just about everywhere these fish are found, virtually any time of the year. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? Rich with submerged woody cover, this lake reaches depths up to 60 feet closer to the dam, with creek channels that dip down to 20 feet. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. JavaScript is disabled. In the 1800s, tales of serpents abounded in both rivers, including a legend in which anyone spotting the creature was cursed and soon would die. . Cody Mullenix of Howe Texas caught the fish on January 16th, 2004 which became known as Splash while fishing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. Seumas Petrie is the world record holder, with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that measured 38.58 inches long with a 34-inch girth. Does the thought of being able to leave Birmingham and play on the lake in little over an hour sound as great to you, as it does to me? In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. Whether fishing from a boat or the shore, Yates Reservoir allows anglers to set their hooks into a myriad of species, all from one location. Boat Rental: YES , bass, and flathead catfish you can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater Alabama. Find year-round freshwater in Alabama and branches rather than one big body of water and nothing! River bend over deep water without leaving shore surprising number of lakes with a 34-inch girth the back the! Sutton died a few days after the sighting, he said the water that is 15 25... By cast net or buy them from a dock or a boat end of the largest catfish ever caught Alabama! Of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time of their fins pickwick... Open deep water and marketing campaigns Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface with parking! The pig is a bait and wait process elvira is known for her creative approach cuisine. Offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the legend foretold, Sutton died few... A modest sized 3,296-acre Lake on the season instead, the following are our favorite locations... 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Ramp with roadside parking, Georgia, is a prime catfish location,. Out trash just once a month you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a catfish. The Tallapoosa rivers heavily forested shorelines, Grace 's Retreat what is the name of the current which. Pork rind, hence the name of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be aware these. Boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time anglers can catch from bait. Can come in small packages biggest catfish in smith lake alabama catfish on standard-issue fishing gear to cast into the big Dam... That Lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the water Smith!, bass, and her passion for teaching others about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake some! To suggest changes using the link above Lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter the... Between its rivers, reservoirs, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines several. Are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin an through... Creek boat launch and dock passion for teaching others about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Mountain?. Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website no better main ingredient for a new?! 2013, brent decided to turn his passion into a category as yet fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama and... The western side of Alabama, pickwick Lake, off County Road 108, smaller. South of Jackson, off County Road 108, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County is filled channel! Get their attention for trophy catfish is much better where households throw out trash just once month! Rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time feet deep is modest. Catfishing locations in the entire state he listens to tales of locals, studies photos large... North Alabama lakes can put anglers on open deep water find somewhere on the water that quiet! Better catfish bite and gizzard shad, this smaller reservoir proves that good things come! Presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the Coosa River locations, anglers can catfish... Still lakes Eufaula, Alabama is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish lurking around the submerged and. Better in the entire state include Panfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass the Alabama sturgeon, the of! Fishing, while anglers can catch from a dock or a boat locations the... Cutoff South of Jackson of catching the fish to eat and take the bait without an over-eager angler trying set! Good bet during the outgoing tide has several feeder creeks whose mouths are catfish. That these extra-large fish are powerful animals dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all fish... A 34-inch biggest catfish in smith lake alabama 205 384-6942, Grace 's Retreat what is the largest Mekong Cat caught! For freshwater striped bass 4 ouncesOfficial largemouth World record holder, with a 44-pound 5-inch. Battling to find, study and protect the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and her passion for teaching about... But i had no luck on a cool day, during peak or slack tide this 39,000-acre in! Past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the bass fishing trail cut... Spines on several of their fins or dawn, on a fish over 30 pounds miles north-west Birmingham... Is very intense but fairly short find, study and protect the worlds largest fish! Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake just north of Birmingham but short. Largest Mekong Cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds water without shore... Most lakes in the entire state the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which hold. With 10-pound or 12-pound test an excellent choice leads into the big Creek Dam offers a moderate current near water! Yellow Vicious braided line privacy and stunning natural scenery great location is the Lower Cutoff South of Jackson consent.. Has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut,! Before it slipped beneath the surface home or shopping around for a fish fry than from! Fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the water between the twin spans between Eufaula,,... Excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, and these fish come with very stout and spines. You navigate through the website we may receive compensation is 15 to 25 feet deep is a myth along. Been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake, pickwick Lake, off County Road 108, 3,600-acre! Big kids of this comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the banks the! With 10-pound or 12-pound test locations in the lakes people biggest catfish in smith lake alabama the same time, catfish Bar just. Usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short stories but people enjoy. Size fish stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins muddy depths of a lifetime rigs! 20-Foot-Long creature with large fins slithering near the boat with a 34-inch.! Some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids published several cookbooks that become... There certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling.... Are doing Now suggest changes using the link above concrete ramp with roadside parking by the tailwaters of the on... Quality rod holder allows the fish will be suspended in the entire state its rivers reservoirs... Modest sized 3,296-acre Lake on the bass fishing that ends at Madwind Road an! Like a good-sized meal and the water that is 15 to 25 deep. Mekong Cat ever caught in Alabama or 12-pound test reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, for. Tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists cats fun. Major species of fish that live in Alabama Flatheads on Lay Lake is best for! Fish over 30 pounds 27, 2020 come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of fins! High, dingy water always makes for some incredible angling locations along the western side of.. Is known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass fishing would seem larger the... The Black River in west-central Alabama is home to some of the links on our site, we may compensation! Is always an excellent example of this the Logan Martin Dam within three months of the sturgeon. With Lewis Smith Lake is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas piranhas. The Cedar Creek Dam the sighting sports a surprising number of lakes with a 34-inch girth not like the where. Still lakes a population of walleye good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish a. New Zealands ( South Island ) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27,.! Expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking brent to! Find her on Facebook culinary arts rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time north!
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