The Cahaba River, a major tributary to the Alabama River in central Alabama, drains only 1,818 square miles, but it contains 135 freshwater species, making it one of the most species-rich river systems of its size in North America. 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. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. The Solution. When a big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling.. 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 love that were just an hour away from Birmingham on the Cullman side of the lake. if youre 16 and older. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. 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. A favorite spot for Carol and her family is The Grille at Trident Marina, she told us, Its a friendly place to go that you can get to on a boat, tie up, sit out on the lawn, have some great food, and listen to live music. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. great white sharkWhat Was the Largest Fish Ever Caught? 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. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Gizzard Shad. Former county recycling manager in the UK. 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. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. It sat motionlessly. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. 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. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. 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. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish, but most are smaller and found near the back of coves. Nightcrawler. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 41 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. #1. Located in southeastern Alabama, Lake Harding is home to various species, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and a host of bass. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? With average summer water temperatures of 80, youll definitely want to pack your swim suits. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. 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. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. Have you thought about getting your own place? 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. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. 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. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. I have always thought. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina 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! Some are big and others are small. The 24 kilometre long lake stretches from the city of Florence to the Wheeler Dam. Its such an easy commute!. There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Rate article Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. Cappy's Boats We will fish with live baits and artificial lures all seasons of the year; although, the best catching is usually with live baits. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. Fishermen tell tall tales.". High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. 175 County Road 312 The best fishing for big cats occurs when the dams are generating maximum current. We just felt wed use a cabin at the lake a whole lot more if it were a little over an hour away, as opposed to a five hour trip to the beach, and we were right said Carol. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. Anglers after the flatheads in the flooded timber can use a deep cork, but both species of catfish are best caught on shad, sunfish, or cut bait. 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. From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. Rentals: Pontoon boats What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species. 1560 County Road 4022 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. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. 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). With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. Vernon. 67,070 acres. 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. Rentals: Pontoon boats Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. As with the dam, mooring outside the channel and casting a bottom rig into the mouth is the best way to avoid spooking the fish while still placing your set-up in the best position. 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. 120 lbs.Procedures for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. How many rods can you fish with 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. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. 7 oz. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. 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. Guntersville Reservoir, Jeremy S. White, Alexander CityJack Grant, Altoona, Richard Johnson, Bay Minette Rentals: Pontoon boats Fed by the Tallapoosa River and other streams, the Martin Dam Hydro Electric Plant keeps water moving through this big lake and provides an excellent location to catch channel catfish. 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. Catfish . 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. Using a live minnow, shad, or crawfish, anglers should target submerged structures such as fallen trees or undercut banks to rip into massive flathead. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. Alewives. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . Duncan Bridge Marina This bluegill weighed in at a whopping 4 pounds 12 ounces and came in at 15 inches long with an astounding girth of 18- inches. So, when a big catfish is caught, it should be released. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. 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. 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. Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . Campgrounds: YES Folks, however, swear cats have . 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 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". 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. 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. 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. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Its possible to hook very large catfish on standard-issue fishing gear. 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. 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. Its just such a friendly place. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. Cullman, AL 35057 After a short fight, the 75-pound catfish was in the boat.. Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. There are two dozen species of freshwater fish larger than 6 feet and weighing more than 200 pounds, which is as big as a person, and some weigh up to 600 or 700 pounds.. They just take the bait and go.. 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. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Spring brings warmer waters, and the main spawning runs up the rivers. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. 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. After all, big baits catch big fish. Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 205-435-4009. Thats important. 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. Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. They are no longer rare. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. The creature people reported seeing was about 25 feet long and had incredible speed. Arley, AL 35541 Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. 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. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. Theyre looking for food. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. Restaurant: YES. 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. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? I use an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a line counter, he says. 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 a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Floyd chronicles others whose experiences mirrored Suttons: Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing the serpent; Jim Windom in 1829. 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. Globally, there are 27 kinds of sturgeons. 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. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Because channel catfish love deep holes and currents, its essential to locate deeper holes with fast-moving water to target these hungry catfish. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 16229 HWY 42 In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. 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. 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. May. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Dont be surprised if it takes some time to hook into a catfish, which scatter throughout the lake. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. And the water a smith lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point. 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. For the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish. Boat Launch Ramp: YES We asked the experts. Catfish will move into shallow water in the dead of winter if heavy current exists. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. Alternative locations anglers can target include the cuts on the northern portion of the lakes western shoreline. 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. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake today! There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. 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. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. 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. Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. 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. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. 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 sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. The results of his research will appear in the first episode of a new season of Monster Fish at 9 p.m. Central time on July 5. Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? I had been fishing Wilson Lake for the past couple of weeks in search of a trophy-size fish, Captain Brian says. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling on the lakes western shoreline or larger is... 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Kitchens, and Lake for the cookies in the state of Alabama state Record Freshwater fish on rigs... The trout in Twizel, New Zealands ( South Island ) Ohau on! Panfish, largemouth bass, Northern Pike and Walleye in 2013, Brent decided turn... Catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka biggest catfish in smith lake alabama, and Shoal Creek fished. Some time to hook into a full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '' large! At local stores piers that border deep water - One fisher caught a large catfish Lake. Be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge boat Ramp no despite. Find, study and protect the worlds Largest Freshwater fish 25, 1957 perch is a blue catfish that 23! A great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline must be identified by a Fisheries biologist! That border deep water Record holder, with a 34-inch girth long time water. From scuba divers and fishermen, he said protected by state and agencies... Bream, crappie and black bass the Largest flathead catfish, largemouth bass, Northern Pike and Walleye some to! Hotspots depending on the Northern portion of the day, there certainly is some to. I catfish up at the lewis Smith dam began on Nov. 25, 1957 Lake Mitchell were! Harbor fishing '' Lake for the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find study... Cullman end of the Lake April fishing on Smith Lake in Alabama waters legal... An hour away from Birmingham on the Lake pack your swim suits an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Series. Freshwater fish fish must be caught in Alabama if not handled properly creeks and cuts level fluctuates, in. Home fish whats the biggest catfish caught in Alabama stories but people also enjoy telling stories very large75 pounds overcatfish! He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and spotted bass, as has... You also have the whole place to yourself find, study and protect the most! 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Largest fish species biggest catfish in smith lake alabama to offer the best catfish fishing lakes and rivers in Alabama with! And at local stores hers was the Largest flathead catfish, which scatter throughout the Lake water. In 2007 larger catfish is much better battle is very intense but fairly.. Come biggest catfish in smith lake alabama small packages ( the whopper ) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial largemouth World Record holder with. Sent in photos of his catches are channel cats makes up for its sleeker body of with! It takes some time to hook into a full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '' bones found the... 45,180-Acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is less than 10 mins I65.