This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. Marina: YES 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. In the mid-1900s, the most popular legendary river creature became catzilla, a species of catfish that reportedly grew to the size of Volkswagon Beetles at several dams along the Tennessee River. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. This 9,200-acre reservoir along the Black River in west-central Alabama is a catfish haven. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. (Aha!). On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. First is to get out early and find fish schooled on shad or bluebacks. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. The flooded forest here creates small estuary-like pockets of deep water surrounded by structures off the main channel of the Tombigbee River. This 12,510-acre reservoir is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish you can catch from a dock or a boat. I tried in 105' of water and got nothing. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Stay safe and good luck out on the water. 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. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? Its such an easy commute!. . Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. Dont be stingy with the bait. In exotic locales, yes. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Lewis Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of . What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. Vernon. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Catfish dont have sharp teeth like pike or mackerel, but they do have rows of very rough and abrasive teeth in their jaws, and when they bite down and twist and turn, these rows of small teeth can remove the skin from a thumb or the back of a hand within seconds. 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. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. 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. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. Fishing in Alabama Lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. The best thing for us anglers who want to catch a monster like this is to know lots of them are in the big lakes. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. However, anglers may still find success fishing for these largest Alabama catfish near the dam, off of Coven Abbett Highway, and Our Childrens Highway, where pilings and rock formations make up deep-water structure, a favorite of blue cats. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. Here, anglers will find a heavily flooded forest that shelters catfish from the stiff current of the river but is still deep enough water to rip into some big cats. 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. Straddling the Alabama-Georgia line, this lake is filled with cuts, islands, coves, and miles of forested shoreline, making it the perfect habitat for flathead catfish. What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake? Folks, however, swear cats have . (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). 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. Anglers catch the occasional flathead here around flooded timber, but locations such as Kearnens Bar and Summerville Bar let anglers moor their boats and cast into deep water with a stiff current. 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. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? I have always thought. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. 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. Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. The more prevalent blue and channel catfish are common closer to the upper end of Lake Eufaula, where anglers have recorded landing cats over 20 pounds. Gizzard Shad. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. Hogan, a biologist and host of the show Monster Fish, recently spent time at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and with fishermen and scientists around the South, searching for answers to the legend of the Volkswagon-sized catfish, a tale passed among fishermen from Wilson Dam in Muscle Shoals to Lake Guntersville Dam in Marshall County. There are some exceptions, however. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. 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. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. 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. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. Largemouths | Lake Eufaula. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Are you dreaming about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake? There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. A study performed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences showed that striped bass see yellow and chartreuse better than other colors as they are smack dab in the middle of the striped basss visual range. Convenience Store: NEARBY 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. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 1560 County Road 4022 Boat Launch Ramp: YES Boat Rental: YES They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Ive seen one, Hogan said. Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Smith Lake Dam Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. 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. 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. This is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake. William D. Webb, B'ham What fishing license do I need for Smith Lake Alabama? The fishing here is good. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. The Solution. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The Tombigbee Rivers blue catfish tend to hold in the main channel in spots like the Ball Bluff Bridge near Coffeeville, McGrews Shoals near St. Stephens Historical Park, or the intersection of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers near Mt. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! 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. When asked how the big ones strike, Captain Brian laughs and says, The really big ones are either going to hit it so hard youll think the rod holder will come off the boat, or the line will simply go slack as the fish takes the pressure out of the line and swims upward., The usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short.. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. This near 5,000 sq ft, 3 bed / 2 bath property at 1400 CO RD 127, Bremen has big lake views from every room on the main floor. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. 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. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. These locations usually have a current and are best angled with a bottom rig, such as a Carolina or Texas rig baited with the cut bait or liver. The Heart of Dixie is home to various species of freshwater game fish, and catfish are among the most popular Alabama game fish for anglers and chefs alike. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. A top hotspot is below Wheeler Dam, where swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling. 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. 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. 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. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Home; . Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. 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. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. How many rods can you fish with in Alabama? Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Find out where the locals eat, shop and hangout. Actress and singer, Miley Cyrus and actor, Liam Hemsworth have been spotted in Cullman. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Cullman, Alabama 35057 205 388-0662. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. 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Fins slithering near the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface and! Are for bass fishing the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake has following. Massive number of catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to catch catfish in Alabama appeared in the State! The fish and take pictures I need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take.!
biggest catfish in smith lake alabama