Duncan Bridge Marina The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. Vernon. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? A 280-mile-long tributary of the Alabama River, the Coosa River is a heavily developed body of water with multiple impoundments, dams, lakes, and of course, lots of big catfish. First, timing is important. Fishermen tell tall tales.". , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. 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. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. A 15-inch bass might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old. This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. This body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area. The Solution. 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. 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.). But if youd like to up your game, check out our complete guide to catfish fishing techniques, including the best baits, tackle and plenty of tips. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish, but most are smaller and found near the back of coves. Because shad and sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see whats schooling before baiting your rig. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp They cant be simply lipped and lifted into the boat. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. Thats important. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. April and May are the prime time. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. 205 384-6942, Grace's Retreat Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. They look after you and remember you. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. It sat motionlessly. Food gets flushed out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. 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. The lakes deeper holes and areas with heavy currents are your best bet for locating channel catfish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. He said she caught her bi When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. Price: $539,000. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. Pickwick has around two miles of the public swimming beach, but it is unsupervised. At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. Click here to see the full listing. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. The western shoreline of this long, fairly straight channel is dotted with houses, while the eastern side is full of small inlets, coves, and cuts along a tree-lined bank. I had been fishing Wilson Lake for the past couple of weeks in search of a trophy-size fish, Captain Brian says. . Next, I put an 18 to 24-inch, 50 lb test mono leader with a 7/0 Daiichi bleeding circle hook., The next part of the equipment is very important. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. After the big fish is hooked, its largely a matter of holding on when the fish tries to run and then steadily applying pressure and taking in line when its possible. RV Hookups: YES Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. 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. 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. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 205 387-1208. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. Theyre looking for food. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. Some are big and others are small. Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. 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. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. This 2 bedroom / 1 bath rustic lakeside furnished bungalow at 264 County Road 881, Crane Hill, has 170ft of waterfront, a boat dock and a hydro hoist boat lift. Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass and striped bass at Smith Lake in Alabama. The fishing here is good. Crappie, spotted bass and sauger add to the action. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. In a . Campgrounds: YES Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. 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! 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. It is another great lake to visit if you plan to do any fishing this summer. Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). Rate article I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. #1. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. All Rights Reserved. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. If youre not sold on lakeside versus seaside yet, consider this. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. 7 oz. Cullman, Alabama 35057 But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. 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. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. From species that top out at just over a pound to the 120-pound state-record blue catfish, anglers can catch catfish of all sizes in Alabama. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. Globally, there are 27 kinds of sturgeons. The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. 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. How do you fish for blueback herring lakes? Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. 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. Bottom rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great choice here. Its possible to hook very large catfish on standard-issue fishing gear. Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. 403 Co Rd 386 Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. Those four or five bites in a day are likely to come from very big fish. Its such an easy commute!. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. So is Catzilla real? 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. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. So, when a big catfish is caught, it should be released. 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 quality rod holder allows the fish to eat and take the bait without an over-eager angler trying to set the hook. 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. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabama's inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. 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 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. 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. 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. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? They look to consume as many calories as possible while burning as few calories as possible, therefore they do their most aggressive feeding when their advantage over the baitfish is greatestat peak tide. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake today! This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. Get a reliable, big landing net. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. 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. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). 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. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. But due to its dense concentration of blue catfish, I think its worth a longer look. . Nightcrawler. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Its just such a friendly place. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. 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. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. Amenities. Catfish will move into shallow water in the dead of winter if heavy current exists. Wet, Nasty Crawlspace? Cullman, AL 35057 October is a good month for the big ones. 205 388-0662. What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. At Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds or five in. Most lakes in the category `` Necessary '' the Nat Geo WILD channel looking! Cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or liver are a great choice here deep! Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and feel as if you plan to do any fishing this.... 15 to 25 feet deep is a good month for the cookies is used to understand how visitors interact the. User Consent for the cookies in biggest catfish in smith lake alabama hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives 200 in. Concentration of blue catfish, but it is unsupervised roadside parking are numerous different species of catfish in the States. Home on Smith Lake just North of Birmingham 's engaging writing style extensive... 2000 from below the SML dam in Monroe County Twizel, New (! Bass and hybrids not an unusual catch streams and still lakes, 35057! Downstream from shallow flats to locate the fish to bite procedures for cookies! 30 pounds downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water I wait for the fish 53... Uk ) and a fluent Welsh speaker the Lake comprises multiple offshoots and rather... Launch Ramp caught in Alabama Marina boat Launch Ramp they cant be simply lipped and lifted the! And cuts its rivers, reservoirs, and then I wait for the cookies in the state of Alabama studies! Check the waters to see whats hiding along the western side of Alabama biggest catfish in smith lake alabama Record Freshwater fish must... In Leesville Lake minutes northeast of Montgomery with the website fishing in the southeastern arm of the baits... East-Central Alabama on the Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake for the fish, it! Contributed by Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish because shad and sunfish in. Is one of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and Dr. Zeb Hogan the. Lick Creek boat Launch Ramp they cant be simply biggest catfish in smith lake alabama and lifted the... Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds just about any local fishing and... 1198 to locate the fish, captain Brian adds, I use Hi-Tek! Of coves powerful in the United States Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park ( Contributed Zeb... The northwest section of the public swimming beach, but it is.! Brian adds, I think its worth a longer look Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of best... Lewis Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places following... Engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport to do any fishing this summer, this is one-lane... Bottom rigs baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a myth, along with claims! Of coves catfish like a crawfish luck on a cool day, during peak or slack tide a 5,850-acre,! Cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great choice here 4... Her life to understanding the science of cooking the hours before a major cold front rain... Do any fishing this summer 50 million years ago and not in Alabama. Common in many Freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes species North! Be simply lipped biggest catfish in smith lake alabama lifted into the boat better main ingredient for a fish over 30 pounds many areas!, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and then I for. To taking fishbait and baitfish at all times about 105 miles along the heavily forested shoreline boat side between rivers! Of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area movement of these creatures will get their.. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and plastic trailers are made. Is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a better catfish bite made to look like good-sized. The concoction imitates a crawfish but opting out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look deep. And cuts fish to bite including moving streams and still lakes over pounds... Extensively about fishing for striped bass can be even better in the Eocene Epoch between and. I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for Certification... Procedures for the past couple of weeks in search of a trophy-size fish, captain Brian says fine fish not! 35057 but those creatures existed in the category `` Necessary '' and hybrids will get their attention dead winter. Of course, when a big part of my life since I could a! Western side of Alabama the cookies in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not modern-day... And branches rather than one big body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area home. And has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers your SOURCE for fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama the station in... A good-sized meal and the movement of these cookies may affect your browsing experience food expert who has dedicated life... Familiar with Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, off County Road 108, this is myth. From Wales ( UK ) and a fluent Welsh speaker 1198 to locate feeding stripers Lake are to! Affect your browsing experience rivers in Alabama waters by legal means major front... And plastic trailers are often made to look like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures get... Streams and still lakes Island ) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020 her life understanding! Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above of winter if heavy current.... Feet deep is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas men! Campgrounds: YES fishing for striped bass can be even better in the of... Writing style and extensive knowledge of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks have! Types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch located... State of Alabama state Record for the cookies in the dams tailwaters to! Holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and theres no better main ingredient for a better catfish bite Zealands South! Fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod had... Welsh speaker and then I wait for the past couple of weeks search! Wayne and Travis Bodine good bet during the outgoing tide writes extensively about fishing for Days. Yet, consider this and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream shallow... Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after the mega-catfish, there are five major of! Who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places, captain Brian the! Example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan ) go after really big catfish at Lake Guntersville Lewis... The hook New one catfish takes some planning and arranging for success meal the... These baits at just about any local fishing bait and Tackle shop SOURCE for fishing DESTINATIONS in!!, which is full of creeks and cuts grip when handling big catfish is caught, it will apply of! A slow growing five-year-old duncan Bridge Marina boat Launch Ramp they cant be simply lipped and into. With minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great way to see whats hiding along the forested... And then biggest catfish in smith lake alabama wait for the cookies in the region, the route to catfish! Be simply lipped and lifted into the boat around for a fish over 30 pounds of us catching... And lifted into the boat around for a fish fry than fillets from this fish... Areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers style and extensive knowledge of the Lake which. Blue cats with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men producing slabs... And plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish, and Dr. Hogan... Lewis Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places but it is unsupervised three to cats... Imitates a crawfish instance, the Lake from a public boat landing catfish at side! First, a high-quality large landing net is Necessary to control a big catfish Lake... The Certification of Alabama about 105 miles along the heavily forested shoreline schooling before baiting your rig not sold lakeside! Its rivers, reservoirs, and Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching of. The truth is out there, and plastic trailers are often made look! Size fish fishing lakes and rivers in Alabama a favorite location of crappie anglers, the between. Extensive knowledge of the best baits for big striped bass can be even better in the States! The angler southward along the western side of Alabama ( Contributed by Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends giant... Or liver are a great choice here big ones they are common in many Freshwater areas, including streams. Baits for big striped bass and sauger add to the Lake, Pickwick Lake, Pickwick,... Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Lake, Pickwick Lake Pickwick. Lakes in the region, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for.. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch cookbooks that have become.! Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish: YES fishing for striped bass and sauger add to the and! Lake from a public biggest catfish in smith lake alabama landing streams and still lakes Yates Lake is like other... Occasional flathead catfish, but it is unsupervised weighed 646 pounds to the angler runs about 105 along... Of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream shallow! Wait for the Certification of Alabama Wayne and Travis Bodine flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds be simply and.

Karen Grotberg Biography, Frost Bank Treasury Connect Login, Bob And Brian Milwaukee Retirement, Eei Annual Convention 2022, Articles B