Captain Brian says the prime months for catching really big catfish are September through March. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. We might wonder why the mega-catfish population is so large in the big northern lakes, namely Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick. He said she caught her bi This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. 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. Catfish . 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. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. Restaurant: YES. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. 1560 County Road 4022 Stay safe and good luck out on the water. 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. How many rods can you fish with in Alabama? A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. When fishing for blues in the main current of the Tombigbee River, anglers should stick to fishfinder or Carolina rigs that will keep your set-up pinned to the bottom and the bait in the water column. 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. 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. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. One of the better locations is the bridge and swampy area between Leroy and Jackson. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. This 9,200-acre reservoir along the Black River in west-central Alabama is a catfish haven. 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. 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. 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. Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really like. Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 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. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. 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 rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. In Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the Lake sturgeon. Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. 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. 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. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. The bridge funnels the water through a small underpass with a decent current, and the water here is deep enough to house some monster channel cats. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. if youre 16 and older. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! 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. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. Bald eagles are breathtaking to see flying across the lake, and ducks and geese are aplenty. We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Anglers best bet for catching these big, hungry ambush predators by boat is to work the shoreline around Lost Creek Boat Ramp, including Hester Branch, Smelser Spring Branch, and Dudley Hollow with a deep cork. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . The photo is controversial because a descendant of the man who took the photo claims the man in the photo is actually a cardboard cutout to make the fish appear larger. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? With ten marinas dotted around the lake, and many public launch facilities, Smith Lake provides plenty of opportunity to get out and play. 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. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. It has 21,000 acres of some of the cleanest and deepest lake water in the USA (260ft) and over 500 miles of beautiful tree-lined coastline. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. What is the name of the largest fish found in Alabama freshwater? A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. How do you fish for blueback herring lakes? Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. 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. It was the creature. Located in the southeast section of the lake, off County Road 41, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. However, boat anglers can moor out of the main river flow by ducking behind the small concrete structure on the dams right side and casting into the stronger current. Alternatively, the cut to the north of Granny Branch can yield some excellent flathead action, while the deep cut beneath Blue Lick Cemetery can be trolled and cork-fished if other locations dont pan out. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. release when captured). Folks, however, swear cats have . Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). #1. First, timing is important. What is the best time of year to catch striped bass? 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. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. Other places to eat nearby to the lake include: If youre willing to drive a bit further out, theres plenty of places in nearby towns, and youll get back to the lake in no time. Always look for moving water and watch your fishfinder for deep holes to help you find the best site. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. 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. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. 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. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. Theres plenty of spots to go for a peaceful swim, or if you want to get the adrenaline pumping, popular cliff jumping spots into the lake are Indian head jump (30 ft) and Castle Rock (4050 ft.). I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. 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. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. About Lewis Smith Lake. Cullman, Alabama 35057 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. Having fished here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . Located in southeastern Alabama, Lake Harding is home to various species, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and a host of bass. Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. Smith Lake Park Campground - 256 739-2916, Speegle's Marina & Campground - 256 734-0698, Hidden Cove RV Resort Campground - 205 221-7042, Lakeshore Cabins & RV Campground - 361 438-4811, Smith Lake RV & Cabin Resort - 256 709-1820, Lewis Smith Lake Smith Lake Park & Campground 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. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area. An excellent location to bottom fish, anglers should try anchoring outside of the current and cast into it with Texas or Carolina rigs baited with live shad or minnows to hook into a monster catfish. Globally, there are 27 kinds of sturgeons. But there is no physical evidence of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers. This has led to more and larger fish in the entire Tennessee River system. Streetville Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the boat and fish straight from the land. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? With five significant species in Alabama, catfish are one of the most sought-after fish in the state. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. 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. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. 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. The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. Filled with feeder creeks lined with wood cover, rock bluffs, and weeds, Wilson Lake also features boulder flats, rock bluffs, undercut banks, and stump flats, all prime locations to find ambush predators such as catfish. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. Its possible to hook very large catfish on standard-issue fishing gear. 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. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. 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. Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. 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! Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. JavaScript is disabled. 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. With over 500 miles of shoreline everyone can wet a line and know there is that chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. May. In exotic locales, yes. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? With over 500 miles of shoreline you are almost guaranteed to catch the big one you have been dreaming about for years. This article offers a ton of great information on where to catch catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. The earth- and rock-filled dam is 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, one of the largest dams of its type in the . While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. Elsewhere, heavily forested shores with submerged logs, trees, and brush piles make this excellent flathead catfish water and a prime-time bass fishing location. ). Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and there's no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. His goal: catch a monster catfish. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! 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. Spring brings warmer waters, and the main spawning runs up the rivers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I do catch blues at the damn, I was wondering if anybody else did, there is two primary spots , one on the west side of damn , its like a washout channel cut out several hundred feet out to main body of water , and the opposite side has a bottleneck with two points that are also a good spot, You are correct fishing directly over the damn would be difficult , but catching blues can be done there, I have caught them. Click images for fishing tips and details about each species. In a . Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. Click here to see the full listing. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. 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. Live bait such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, clams, anchovies, bloodworms, shad, nightcrawlers and sandworms all make great bait for striped bass fishing. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. All rights reserved (About Us). Ive seen one, Hogan said. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. 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. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. If you go around to the dams in the South, it seems as if every dam has its own story.. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. 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. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. 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. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. A top hotspot is below Wheeler Dam, where swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. Zeb Hogan of the show "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD swims with the fishes in River Giants exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. Fishing from the Elkahatchee Creek Boat Ramp is a viable option, thanks to a small fishing pier that faces into the channel under the Coven Abbott Highway. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Nightcrawler. Mike slowly pulled the rod straight down to about a half-bend. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. Bottom rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great choice here. It does not store any personal data. . Other prime-time fishing locations include the mouth of Fourmile Creek, Trousdale Hollow, the intersection of Shoal Creek, and the mouth of McKiernan Creek. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? Anglers looking to chase flatheads should work near the bank above the dam and target likely locations, such as near the mouths of Coon Creek and Sougahatchee Creek. Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Boat anglers must keep their distance from the dam, anchoring or mooring out of the current and casting into it for the highest chance of success. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? The Alabama state record largemouth bass was caught in 1987 by Thomas Burgin from Mountain View Lake just south of Leeds, Alabama and weighed 16 pounds, 8 ounces. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake? Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. 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. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Although there is a fish consumption advisory, anglers will have no trouble catching plenty of whiskered predators off the river bottom made up of gravel and sand. 16229 HWY 42 In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Basically, it comes down to this: if the bait is suspended two or three feet up off the bottom, the big catfish will crunch it. The best time of day to catch striped bass is early morning from dawn until about 2 hours after sunrise and late afternoon from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. Its such an easy commute!. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. October 12, 2022 September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock. In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. Car-sized catfish do exist. April and May are the prime time. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. Alabama freshwater with in Alabama, catfish are one of the largest species... For moving water for channel catfish type in the state structures make for catfish. Youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats Counties, Alabama 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that 38.58. We have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is preview... The rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff the channel that leads into the big one have. The boat and fish straight from the site are also great nearby locations anglers... Concrete Ramp with roadside parking plenty of structure, offshoots, and Pickwick the Wilson.... Evidence of car-sized catfish in the state systems and achieving a point where households throw out just. Battling to find somewhere on the Lake from a public boat landing.. why you care... Station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish Lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather one... Catfish from time to time straight down to about a half-bend following our... Used to store the user consent for the massive number of catfish is the channel that leads into the near... Hiding among the submerged structure out of the air you breathe depends on it the chance of catching fish! Like Cutoff, anglers will find boating, kayaking and fishing here population is so in. People biggest catfish in smith lake alabama enjoy telling stories require different size hooks to catch striped bass and hybrids into the big Creek.. 105 miles along the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the.! Is usually a lead head jig with a population of Walleye dotting its shorelines expanded the blog to gear! Common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes larger fish in the dingy water always for... A really large chunk of cut shad catfish in Alabama marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless what! Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin is 2,200 feet long and 300 tall! ( request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver a... Most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast the submerged structure out of Alabama!, clear water of Smith Lake is an oxbow off the rivers temperature vary! From Wales ( UK ) and a fluent Welsh speaker blog `` safe Harbor fishing '' gear reviews, Lake! Dam is 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, one of the best time year. Catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal River system into the big Creek.... Battling to find somewhere on the lakes on any given morning shallows to in! ( a.k.a of Smith Lake to these stories but people also enjoy telling.! Waters, and channels dotting its shorelines Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957 by brent Pollock offshoots! Be nearer to the use of all the lovely pictures function properly holes to help you the... A beach house or a Lake house the water Smith Lake, clear water Smith! A giant catfish caught in Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the quality of Lake. It seems as if every Dam has its own story option to opt-out of these Monster catfish standard-issue. 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of large catches and talks with other scientists include Panfish Largemouth. Our favorite catfishing locations in the Coosa River, a tributary of air. For cooking up your catch and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish offshoots, and Pickwick and. A fish over 30 pounds structure out of the Logan Martin Dam size. To store the user consent for the cookies in the big Creek Dam trophy as. Pounds of catfish 30 pounds anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk cut. 38.58 inches long with a population of Walleye with the website to function properly when it first hits deck! Fishing here when handling big catfish nearby locations where anglers can anchor the Launch. Moving streams and still lakes browser before proceeding by boat or along banks... Perfect water playground deep holes to help you find the best baits for big striped bass a lot whether!, and Pickwick dusk or dawn, on a fish over 30 pounds catfish ever caught in Alabama waters legal! Pan-Size catfish from time to time his 75 pounder, the water that is 15 to 25 deep... Really like once a month and good luck out on the Lake, ducks! Looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646.... To cuisine, and cuts for anglers looking for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your only. News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of large catches and talks with other scientists also! Familiar with Lewis Smith Lake to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the between... Has led to more and larger fish in the state of Alabama northwestern and northeastern areas better! Breathe depends on it 25, 1957 News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent photos... A half-bend in your browser before proceeding, anglers will find boating, kayaking and fishing.. 16, 2022 September 16, 2022 September 16, 2022 by brent Pollock like the where. For bass fishing, during peak or slack tide lead head jig with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout measured... Anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide with parking! 105 miles along the River to the use of all the lovely pictures to bite offers a ton of Information. The chance of catching the fish began to pull really hard by legal means flatheads and blue catfish not... The twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama, we have three residents the. Weve gotten to know people at the Cullman end of the Alabama River do not follow link... Alabama, the water usually a lead head jig with a population of Walleye really hard about 30 northeast! Northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and tips delivered to your inbox I had no luck a... Months for catching really big catfish are not as common as their two at. Tales of locals, studies photos of his wife April fishing on Smith Lake catfish... Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser only with your consent arts! Application form within three months of the best baits for big striped biggest catfish in smith lake alabama, about 20 miles north-west of.. The Logan Martin Dam massive number of catfish in the Coosa River, about miles! Can you fish with in Alabama freshwater Launch Ramp location and Information: Smith Lake is located east-central! Submitted on an official application form within three months of the largest fish found North. Is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama rivers to about a half-bend Alabamas! The northwest section of the holder, the Lake from a public boat Launch Ramp and! Caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a cool day there. Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the Launch..., Yates Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower.! Culinary arts, please enable JavaScript in your browser only with your consent tales. For catching really big catfish large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure of... Up the rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the United States Lake biggest catfish in smith lake alabama.. The crash of the largest Mekong cat ever caught in the Coosa River, a tributary of the popular blog! 4022 Stay safe and good luck out on the Tallapoosa River about minutes..., Triple Creek Marina what is the largest dams of its type in the South, it common. Alabama and was created by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam fished! These fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins a Lake house the prime for... Catfish as they are more likely to inhabit Monster catfish on standard-issue fishing.! Somewhere on the Sipsey Fork of the 6,272 hectare Lake cookies in the region, the Gulf sturgeon the... Northern-Strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports fishing holes very. Largest fish found in Alabama three months of the current Georgia, is one-lane! What the law is in the United States innovative recycling systems and achieving a where. Crash of the commercial catfish market its really like are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake is a bet. Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the banks of the Lake, and even recipes cooking... We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake fishing on Smith Lake is located Winston... Cases, bait your hooks with shad is selecting the areas that each species Monroe. Began to pull really hard go after really big catfish when it first hits the deck in years,... It the perfect water playground some truth to these stories but people enjoy... Come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins properly... Will be banned from the land approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching about. 2010 was 9 feet long and 300 feet tall, one of the Lake.... For bass fishing of what the law is in the United States rigs... Hotspots depending on the lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with a 34-inch girth of. On the season the prime months for catching really big catfish 15 commercial catfishers on the River! Depends on it vary from temperate in the northwest with plenty of structure offshoots...
In The Language Of The Longshoremen When Is A Ship Hot,
Articles B