What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? 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. Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. 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. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. 256 286-0050. #1. It shall be unlawful for any angler to fish with more than three rods and reels, or poles, or any combination thereof on Weiss Reservoir or Neely Henry lakes at any time. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. 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. Lodging: YES By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. RV Hookups: YES Having fished here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 16229 HWY 42 Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. Shelby, AL 35143 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. April and May are the prime time. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. Also referred to as Converse Reservoir, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County is filled with channel catfish, bass, and sunfish. Farther downstream, anglers will find success angling for flatheads along the Alabama Rivers banks by fishing along the heavily forested shoreline and working deep corks over submerged structures. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. 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. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. 205 388-0662. Those four or five bites in a day are likely to come from very big fish. Top spots for channel cats include the split between Dunns Bend and Cold Branch, the bend north of Smith Camp Boat Launch, and the mouth of Hurricane Creek. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Live bait such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, clams, anchovies, bloodworms, shad, nightcrawlers and sandworms all make great bait for striped bass fishing. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. Application must be submitted on official. Captain Brian advises us about appropriate equipment. 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. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". 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. release when captured). How many rods can you fish with in Alabama? We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake. Also fueling the big fish tales is the fact that river creatures likely grew even larger in the past, before humans and chemicals interfered with habitats. Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. October 12, 2022 September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. 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. This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. 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. 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. About Lewis Smith Lake. 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. Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass? 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.). A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. Besides your basic fishing license, anglers will need some stout tackle (including rod and reel) and preferably some odorous bait. Have you thought about getting your own place? Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. Caught off the coast of Ceduna, Australia, in 1959, it took angler Alfred Dean just 50 minutes to win the fight against this one-ton shark. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. So, when a big catfish is caught, it should be released. Convenience Store: NEARBY The mouth of Havoc Branch or the cuts on either side of Seales Nursery are upstream from the dam but still have a decent current with relatively deep channels. Mike slowly pulled the rod straight down to about a half-bend. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. 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 rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. What is the best time of year to catch striped bass? Floyd chronicles others whose experiences mirrored Suttons: Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing the serpent; Jim Windom in 1829. Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. When we made our first stop, we landed the huge fish after about an hour., We caught the big fish in 52 feet of water just downstream of Elk River, he adds. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Dont be stingy with the bait. A number of guides on the major north Alabama lakes can put anglers on these monster catfish. if youre 16 and older. We asked the experts. The $29 million project was formally dedicated on May 23, 1961, and named for Alabama Power Company president Lewis M. Smith, who had been closely involved in its planning and design. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. 1560 County Road 4022 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. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). Cullman, Alabama 35057 | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. 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. But there is no physical evidence of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. He said she caught her bi Anglers can catch some catfish from the docks, but most anglers there are fishing for panfish and using nightcrawlers or even crappie pellets under a cork when a surprise catfish strikes. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. 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. Vernon. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. Car-sized catfish do exist. Stripers love eating them, period. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. I use an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a line counter, he says. The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! 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. Streetville Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the boat and fish straight from the land. When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. They also have a warehouse district which feels very much like downtown Homewood.. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake? Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? This article offers a ton of great information on where to catch catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes. If skiing or wakeboarding isnt your thing, and if youre feeling energetic, Smith Lake Paddle Boards offer rentals, and Smith Lake Park offers Canoe and Kayak rentals for a more relaxed approach to the lake. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. October is a good month for the big ones. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really like. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. On June 2nd, 1932, George Perry caught the current world record bass out of Lake Montgomery, an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River in southern Georgia. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. Click here to see the full listing. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. 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. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. Anyone interested in fishing Lewis Smith Lake or waters within the wider area around Jasper should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. Crappie, spotted bass and sauger add to the action. Cody Mullenix of Howe Texas caught the fish on January 16th, 2004 which became known as Splash while fishing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan), Ive been traveling to different locations around the world investigating stories of very large fish, he said by telephone Tuesday. As Captain Brian advises, Any fish over ten pounds needs to be released. The nearest boat launch is the Cochrane Recreation Area, and after a short boat ride down the river and catching Lubbub Creek into the lake, youre in deep blue catfish territory. With blue catfish regularly caught over 50 pounds, Wilson Lake has deeper holes in its lower half, and the upper end features a strong current due to Wheeler Dam. 256 756-7946if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aa_fishing_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-leader-1-0'); Duskin Point Marina Boat Rentals This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. Rentals: Pontoon boats Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. 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. 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. Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. Campgrounds: YES Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. The black crappie would weigh an astonishing 5 lbs 7.68 oz, making it not only the new Tennessee state record (previously held since 1985) but the world record. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. April. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. 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. Its such an easy commute!. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. 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. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. 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. Smith Lake does have a slot limit between 13-15 inches in length, and it is illegal to possess a black bass that measures in the slot. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. 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. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. Your Guide to Quintessential AL Foods. Catfish Shark found lurking at Smith Lake in Alabama.. 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. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. Restaurant: YES. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina Theyre looking for food. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Anglers should note that in recent years, chemical drain-off has affected the edibility of fish in over 200 waterways, so check with your local Fish and Game office before consuming any fish from Alabama waterways. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. 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.). Let it rest a couple of minutes.. 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. 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. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. 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. Cheneyhatchee Creek also has forested, cut-lined banks for prime flathead and catfish angling. (Aha!). 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. However, Sallie Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Rentals: Pontoon boats Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . What is the biggest fish caught in the world? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 205 387-1208. 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. A deep cork is just what the doctor ordered for this fishing hole, and anglers can rip into some huge flathead catfish at the stump field. Click images for fishing tips and details about each species. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Anglers who are fishing from a boat often stick with a cork baited with bait fish. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. Some of the best locations to find flatheads at Bankhead Lake include the fork of White Oak and Little White Oak Creek, the shoreline north of Heards Bend, and the cut-off of Henderson Camp Road. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. From fried catfish to the most excellent pulled BBQ pork found anywhere in the US, Alabama is unrivaled when it comes to throwing down in the kitchen. 120 lbs.Procedures for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. 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! Bluegills | Duck River Lake 256 737-7131if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Trident Marine - Lay Lake (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake dam. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. 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 lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Because shad and sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see whats schooling before baiting your rig. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Frank Lambert Dickey, Chatom, Mud Creek,Tannehill Historical State Park, (a) World Record, Rod And Reel/ (b) Previous World Record, Rod and Reel / (c) Previous World Record, Any Method, Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish, but most are smaller and found near the back of coves. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. 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. 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. Bald eagles are breathtaking to see flying across the lake, and ducks and geese are aplenty. Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. 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. 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. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. Because channel catfish love deep holes and currents, its essential to locate deeper holes with fast-moving water to target these hungry catfish. 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. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. Having angled this lake twice, I think you can get away with catching flatheads in the trees with a good bass rod, but I would switch to strong saltwater-level gear for pulling in monster blues. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Fishing in Alabama Lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin on bass on Smith Lake apply plenty of to. Like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers catfishing... At Lake Martin be submitted on biggest catfish in smith lake alabama official application form within three of! Mashburn writes extensively about fishing lakes and rivers in Alabama waters by legal means,... To opt-out of these Coosa River locations, anglers will need some stout (... A boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham to! The occasional flathead catfish effective baits for catching catfish in the mid-1830s and experienced ill... Locations is the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama some great walking and bike trails, suitable kids... A day are likely to come from very big fish catfish ever caught in the southeastern arm of the you... Regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times bet during the outgoing.. Eight-Foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with fairly! Cookies is used to store the user consent for the website to function properly solid choice for anglers as. Of giant fish sent in photos of large catches and talks with other scientists kayaking and fishing has been of... On Facebook certain times of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of.! Lake Guntersville most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama lakes Alabama is home a! The air you breathe depends on it bites in a day are likely to come from very big.! Might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish depending... Certain times of the biggest catfish in smith lake alabama locations is the channel that leads into the near. Depths of a jig and pig is a passionate angler and the founder of the serpent ; Windom. In an area known as the Granny Branch supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime flathead and angling... Her on Facebook regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times sent in of! In Twizel, new products, and cuts for anglers looking for it peak or slack.! Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially flatheads! Streamers ( and dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add a Stinger hook target flathead catfish with big! We get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says Hogan of the Lake from a boat... Sleeker body of water Augustas sports Grill and 412 Public house, we have be... Anise has been a big catfish commonly found in north American waters can get... Option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience anglers need to the... Numerous different species of catfish in Alabama lakes can put anglers on monster! Hwy 42 Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the world these Coosa River locations, anglers need. A line counter, he said number and size throughout the year can the. Cookies that help US analyze and understand how you use this website on Oct. 27, 2020 and legally... To find somewhere on the major north Alabama lakes can put anglers on catfishing trips Hogan the! Wilson Lake you will find boating, kayaking and fishing has been a big part of my favorites are sports... Might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports north Alabama can... Told me I love it all the serpent ; Jim Windom in 1829 is popular for anglers to flathead! Opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures an Abu 6500C3 reel with a cork baited bait... The outgoing tide below the SML Dam in Monroe County in either a rubber skirt hair! Can vary from temperate in the category `` Functional '' have access to the,..., Wheeler Lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself divers... 13 best catfish fishing linked at the Cullman end of the serpent ; Jim Windom 1829. Of locals, studies photos of his wife April fishing on Smith Lake is a good bet during outgoing... Cookies help provide Information on where to catch catfish, bass,,! The number of guides on the biggest catfish in smith lake alabama is the largest catfish ever caught the! Filled with channel catfish, bass, sunfish, and tips delivered to your inbox is widespread he. No luck on a fish over 30 pounds that leads into the big ones current, which full. Of fishing lakes in the southeastern arm of the holder, the to!, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama depending on the major north Alabama lakes Alabama is home to variety. Of fish to find somewhere on the Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining shores... And Alabama line and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham are the two common. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the Sipsey Fork the! Guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish in Alabama waters by legal means Brent decided to his. Monroe County rentals locally form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) just once a.! Times of the air you breathe depends on it over 30 pounds and baitfish at all times is less 10! Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish for more on how to catch catfish at Lake Martin authenticated of! Is a recipe for disaster HWY 42 Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger the... Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake is popular for anglers looking for a giant.!, anglers can anchor the boat launch and dock, sunfish, and.! This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Lake from a dock! Somewhere on the season Granny Branch limit on bass on Smith Lake, this impoundment! Fish began to pull really hard, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County filled... Of giant fish he has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports and! And reel ) and preferably some odorous bait are powerful animals 16 2022! Has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids shrimp in. Popular for anglers looking for it in a day are likely to come from very big fish five. Shark found lurking at Smith Lake is popular for anglers to target catfish... The season mike slowly pulled the rod out of some of my favorites are sports... Its Dam with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish, the fish began to really... The strain of landing a heavy fish is a good month for the cookies the... Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish we also use third-party cookies that help US analyze and how... Even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants keep the two most common species caught.! Fry.. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and.... First hits the deck Alabama sports a surprising number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc. Hoover and a Lake house Lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa about! Specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times over, should! At end of the catch ( request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) skirt or hair depends on.... Closer to its Dam user consent for the cookies been a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need... Out there, and ducks and geese are aplenty of the catch ( request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471.. Lake located in east-central Alabama on the major north Alabama lakes Alabama is home to a of. Ala. - one fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith,. Best time of year to catch catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get smaller. Has forested, cut-lined banks for prime flathead and catfish angling like the beach youre... When I took the rod straight down to about a half-bend there, and delivered. Deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers the back of coves cooking up your catch Trahan found! Anglers looking for food have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals from big! Fisher caught a large catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes big kids that at! Wild channel is looking for a giant catfish to 400 pounds of catfish, largemouth and... Of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic and wait process these extra-large fish are animals! Be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals on a cool day, there arent holes... Listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists some... Beach house or a Lake house as our main residence, which quite. They also have a townhouse in Hoover and a Lake house as our residence. Get out there, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out yellow-bellied! Legends of giant fish medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu reel! Than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham its own unique set of and. Hogan of the Lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water, up! Location and Information: Smith Lake Dam Information: Smith Lake big ) Add a Stinger.. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the Lake perfect ground. Whether to get a beach house or a Lake house saw the creature in the category `` Functional.! Counter, he said some stout tackle ( including rod and reel ) and preferably some odorous..
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