These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. With ten marinas dotted around the lake, and many public launch facilities, Smith Lake provides plenty of opportunity to get out and play. If its on the menu, thats either the Silver Seatrout or the Sand Seatrout (often called White Trout), with thick, white filets and a taste similar to any freshwater Trout. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. 55 Marina Drive Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Boat Launch Ramp: YES Lewis Smith Lake fishing for big striped bass and a host of other species in north-central AL. 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. With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. 205 387-1208. Some truly monstrous catfish are living in the rivers and lakes of Alabama; fish in the 100-pound range are caught on rod and reel every year. April and May are the prime time. Your Guide to Quintessential AL Foods. 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! We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. Bluegills | Duck River Lake However, Alabama is home to some of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be found anywhere. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Its such an easy commute!. First, timing is important. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? I could see the thing as clear as day," reported newspaper columnist E. Randall Floyd in a 1993 article in the Spartanburg, S.C., Herald-Journal. Fishermen tell tall tales.". Rentals: Pontoon boats 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. Lewis Smith Lake was created in 1961 by the Alabama Power Company as a result of the company's construction of Lewis Smith Dam to produce hydroelectric power. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. 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. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. Some are big and others are small. The Tombigbee produces excellent catfish angling along its path, which includes five dams and locks before joining the Mobile River and emptying into Mobile Bay, where the attention turns to redfish and other saltwater fishing. Anglers looking to rip lips with some trophy-level catfish should target inside the feeder creeks with deep corks or at the creek mouths and cuts with bottom rigs. Captain Brian reminds us that most of these big catfish have spines that are not nearly as sharp as the ones found on five-pound or smaller catfish, but the trophy-sized fish have a lot more weight and muscle to propel their spines. 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 a . There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. 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. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. 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. 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. Stripers love eating them, period. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Check out local properties for sale. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabama's inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. 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. 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. This Tombigbee River backwater in western Alabama near Aliceville could have been lumped in with our coverage of the river. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. Crappie, spotted bass and sauger add to the action. Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. if youre 16 and older. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Guntersville Reservoir, Jeremy S. White, Alexander CityJack Grant, Altoona, Richard Johnson, Bay Minette Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. 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. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. Especially when the sun goes down, catfish will school just beneath the tailwaters of the structure, and its a nightly feeding frenzy that anglers shouldnt miss. 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. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. 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. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. Captain Brian says the prime months for catching really big catfish are September through March. Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. 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. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. great white sharkWhat Was the Largest Fish Ever Caught? At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. I had been fishing Wilson Lake for the past couple of weeks in search of a trophy-size fish, Captain Brian says. 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. Crawfish and nightcrawlers also yield some sizable flatheads when thrown around the lakes abundant submerged structures, such as logs, brush piles, and undercut banks. What pound test should I use for striped bass? I tried in 105' of water and got nothing. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. 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. From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. The best fishing for big cats occurs when the dams are generating maximum current. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. A quality rod holder allows the fish to eat and take the bait without an over-eager angler trying to set the hook. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. 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. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. 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. Head to cover early morning for the most hits. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. 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. Large cats will show as bright yellow or red arches on the unit.. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? 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? Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. You get to know people and experience all there is to enjoy on the lake with them, stunning sunsets, watersports, and brunch at the marina (which can extend until dinnertime!). On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. 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. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? 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. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. 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. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Located between Lake Martin and Thurlow Lake along the Tallapoosa River, Yates Lake has earned a reputation for big striped bass, but its hidden gem is its quality catfish population. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. 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. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. 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. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. I have always thought. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Lewis Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. 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. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. Vernon. Geneva County Lake consists of two lakes, 33- and 32 acres (130,000 m 2) in size, located 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Enterprise off County Road 63. William D. Webb, B'ham This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. 1560 County Road 4022 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.. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Restaurant: YES. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp 403 Co Rd 386 Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. Have you thought about getting your own place? . Convenience Store: NEARBY 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. Whnt News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his catches are channel cats and about 10 % blue... 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Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch in. Throw out trash just once a month many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on Lake... Ground for biggest catfish in smith lake alabama catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal angler trying to set the hook, 5-inch trout! A month fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant.... Landing net is necessary to control a big catfish when it first the... Or Britton Bridge boat Ramp make for great bass or crappie fishing, anglers... Of what the law is in the category `` other 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants serve...
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