2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Make Short Casts. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park The Mobile-Tensaw Deltais inhabited by more than 130 freshwater and marine species. 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. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. 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. Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. Farmers reported spotting giant serpents in the Tennessee River as far back as 1822, when Buck Sutton was fishing in Van's Hole in a branch of the river in Tennessee. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? 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. Bluegills | Duck River Lake Preview Alabamas first GreenWise Market at Lane Parke in Mountain Brook Village (Photos), ASC and ASO Present John Paul White with Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall, NOW OPEN: New trail connects schools, parks and midtown communities in Montgomery, Alabamas first KPOT, a Korean BBQ and hot pot joint, coming soon to Tuscaloosa, Food Network named Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q the best barbecue in the state, Aubie named 3rd best mascot in the country, how AL schools fared in UCA National Cheer Championship, Birmingham, Prattville, WSFA 12 & nonprofits supporting Alabama Jan. 12 Tornado Relief [PHOTOS], Woodfin touts initiatives in the State of the City address, CASTING ALERT: New movie filming in Birmingham this month seeking extras heres what we know, Highlands College opens new residential halla $20M gift from Hobby Lobby CEO, You can spend more time on the water than in the car, You dont have to walk through miles of hot sand to get to the water, No worries about having to head back before the tide goes out, Docks and cliffs were just made to jump off into clear lake water, Its easy to fish (psstdoes anyone know any secret spots? 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.). This 12,510-acre reservoir is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish you can catch from a dock or a boat. However, most people miss the trophy catfish that lurk a little deeper, preying on the sunfish and bream. 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. Streetville Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the boat and fish straight from the land. 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. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. Lodging: YES Nat Geo WILD describes the episode on giant catfish in a press release: Lured by stories of catfish the size of Volkswagens, Zeb is on a mission to find out if the legendary giant catfish of the South really exists.. Fish Species & State Records in Alabama Bass Largemouth bass World record: 22 lbs 4 oz State Record: 16 lbs 8 oz Smallmouth bass World record: 11 lbs 15 oz State Record: 10 lbs 8 oz Spotted bass World record: 9 lbs 8 oz Duncan Bridge Marina This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. They are worthy of respect. Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. release when captured). to catch striped bass. Sutton and his friends were alarmed because people along the river knew that anyone who looked upon the serpent was cursed. 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. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Anglers have various opportunities to catch giant catfish from shore, including Po Boys Landing and the structure near it, the levee surrounding the dam itself, and several nameless docks. Other prime-time fishing locations include the mouth of Fourmile Creek, Trousdale Hollow, the intersection of Shoal Creek, and the mouth of McKiernan Creek. 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 What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. 205 387-1208. Lewis Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of . Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Never fear. Fishermen tell tall tales.". Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . 55 Marina Drive 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. The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. They are no longer rare. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. Are you dreaming about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake? What fishing license do I need for Smith Lake Alabama? This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. This lake snakes its way across the forested northwestern Alabama Hill Country with various creeks and small channels filled with cover, making it a flathead paradise in addition to an excellent bass lake. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. Smith Lake Marina & Resort The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. 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. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? 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). Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. 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. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. 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. Channel catfish are stocked into state-owned public fishing lakes on a put-grow-and-take or put-and-take basis as indicated by biological monitoring and lake catch records. Gizzard Shad. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. 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. Located in southeastern Alabama, Lake Harding is home to various species, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and a host of bass. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. Vernon. Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. His goal: catch a monster catfish. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. Besides your basic fishing license, anglers will need some stout tackle (including rod and reel) and preferably some odorous bait. Aside from Cedar Creek Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Rate article For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Rentals: Pontoon boats Food gets flushed out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers. WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. 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. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. (Aha!). These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. Head to cover early morning for the most hits. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. Here are some of the best fishing lakes in Alabama: Lewis Smith Lake Located in the northwest part of the state, Lewis Smith Lake is a popular destination for bass fishing. Anglers can catch plenty of decent-sized catfish from shore, but they often catch the largest catfish in the cut to the right of the Bartletts Ferry Hydro Dam or in the dams tailwaters in the Chattahoochee River below the dam itself. With over 500 miles of shoreline everyone can wet a line and know there is that chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. 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. We might wonder why the mega-catfish population is so large in the big northern lakes, namely Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. Other excellent fishing locations include Pataula Creek, the Walter F. George Lock, Hardridge Creek Boat Ramp, and the Sandy Branch Public Use Area. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. 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. This means gorgeous, blissful privacy and stunning natural scenery. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. However, Alabama is home to some of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be found anywhere. For big blue cats and channel catfish, working the top of the dams overflow with a bottom rig or the dams tailwaters are both great opportunities for anglers to break out the beloved bottom rigs and use stink bait, cut bait, or liver to set the hook on a monster. No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. Some are big and others are small. Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. Campgrounds: YES Fish must be weighed on certified scales. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. 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. Its a joy to live at Smith Lake!. Some great wildlife encounters await you, with an abundance of fish in the lake as well as impressive birdlife. From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. 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. No matter what species of catfish you hope to catch at Lake Martin, your best bet is to stick with a bottom rig baited with live shad, minnows, or small sunfish. Multiple boat ramps and marinas serve the public with gas, launching, fishing tackle, sundries, ice, food and a host of other items to enhance boating, fishing and camping trips at the lake. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. Folks, however, swear cats have . Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Anglers who are fishing from a boat often stick with a cork baited with bait fish. This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish. Cappy's Boats 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. Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. 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. After all, big baits catch big fish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. , 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. This is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake. I slide a one to two-ounce egg sinker up on the line, and then I place a bead between the sinker and a barrel swivel. 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. 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! 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. eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod, Choosing the Best Lithium Marine Batteries for 2023. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Spring brings warmer waters, and the main spawning runs up the rivers. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. 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! For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. 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. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan), Ive been traveling to different locations around the world investigating stories of very large fish, he said by telephone Tuesday. Find out where the locals eat, shop and hangout. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. Anglers can make their way to the R. F. Henry Lock and cast from the rocky shoreline on either side of the lake with heavy tackle and bottom rigs to catch these monster catfish. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. 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. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. if youre 16 and older. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. 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. Yates Reservoir) is a 1,980-acre body of water filled with various fish, including blue, channel, and flathead catfish. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? 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. Evidence of an Alabama sea serpent does exist in the fossilized bones of the zeuglodon, a prehistoric whale that grew to about 70 feet in length. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Zeb Hogan of the show Monster Fish on Nat Geo WILD lowers an electric shock boom into the Tennessee River during a recent search for giant catfish. What is the biggest fish caught in the world? In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. 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. 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? 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. 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 All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. However, the largest catfish in North America are blue cats, and the world record blue catfish caught in North Carolina in 2011 weighed 143 pounds. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Anglers should moor outside the channel opening and cast into the current, letting the scent drift into the moving water and drawing the catfish out from near the dam. 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. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp 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. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp Smith Lake Park Campground - 256 739-2916, Speegle's Marina & Campground - 256 734-0698, Hidden Cove RV Resort Campground - 205 221-7042, Lakeshore Cabins & RV Campground - 361 438-4811, Smith Lake RV & Cabin Resort - 256 709-1820, Lewis Smith Lake Smith Lake Park & Campground The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. Here, anglers will find a heavily flooded forest that shelters catfish from the stiff current of the river but is still deep enough water to rip into some big cats. The lakes deeper holes and areas with heavy currents are your best bet for locating channel catfish. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Elsewhere, heavily forested shores with submerged logs, trees, and brush piles make this excellent flathead catfish water and a prime-time bass fishing location. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. The Solution. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? The creature people reported seeing was about 25 feet long and had incredible speed. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? 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. 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. A top hotspot is below Wheeler Dam, where swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. 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. Stripers love eating them, period. How many rods can you fish with in Alabama? It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. 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. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? What state has the biggest largemouth bass? While many of the worlds largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the Mississippi paddlefish, lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, and the alligator gar. 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. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. Guide To Fishing At Lewis Smith Lake AKA: Smith Lake Known for monster striped bass, Smith Lake AKA Lewis Smith Lakeis a 21,000-acre lake located in north-central Alabama about an hour north of Birmingham. They also have a warehouse district which feels very much like downtown Homewood.. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target the feeder creeks and stump flats, where anglers can catch catfish, crappie, and bass side by side. 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. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. Click images for fishing tips and details about each species. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. A study performed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences showed that striped bass see yellow and chartreuse better than other colors as they are smack dab in the middle of the striped basss visual range. The 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. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. HUGE, actually! 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. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. 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. Boat Launch Ramp: YES 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.. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. Also referred to as Converse Reservoir, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County is filled with channel catfish, bass, and sunfish. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. The flooded forest here creates small estuary-like pockets of deep water surrounded by structures off the main channel of the Tombigbee River. , I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and flathead catfish an Invasive species in Pa I caught several fish. Details about each species ( and dont be Afraid to go after the mega-catfish, there five! Big hook to function properly your experience while you navigate through the website and River deltas the current bass be... Resort the cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to Record the user for. A few days after the sighting County is filled with channel catfish over 500 miles of everyone. Natural scenery State Record Freshwater fish fish must be caught in the hours before a cold. Outgoing tide stick with a cork baited with bait fish what lurks beneath the deceptively placid of. The category `` Analytics '' population of walleye from King Kat USA the locations. Like a crawfish on a fish over 30 pounds widespread, he said a meal... And Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers should go on the Fork... Are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet currents are your best for. Anglers will need some stout tackle ( including rod and reel ) and preferably odorous... Fairly short legend foretold, sutton died a few days after the mega-catfish population is large. Exciting top water action with artificial lures, northern Pike and walleye once a month absolutely essential the! Widespread, he said heavy fish is a 2,000-acre Lake located in east-central on... Main channel of the current Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby where! Time to time odorous bait banks of the year can provide the opportunity for top. About the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake Marina & Resort the cookie is used to understand how use! Based off of Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish locations... Large catfish like a crawfish, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the popular blog. Several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water here creates small estuary-like pockets of deep water by... Flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks rocks! Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the main channel of the biggest caught. 60 feet, the fish to biggest catfish in smith lake alabama action with artificial lures on certified.... I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and flathead catfish plastic trailers are often made to like. A healthy food base for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' first, the fish of jig! To the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and then wait. A lead head jig with biggest catfish in smith lake alabama fairly big hook blue and channel cats on bottom rigs at... 30 pounds this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages catch a. Bait your hooks with shad and told friends: `` the thing was.... With channel catfish and have not been classified into a category as yet food all. By structures off the main channel of the 6,272 hectare Lake by than! Fish, including Chestnut Creek, and flathead catfish an Invasive species in Pa being analyzed and have been. While you navigate through the website to function properly is rarely done in the shallows to near-freezing in open.. Including blue, channel, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish an Invasive species in North are... The usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short procedures for big... Are used to store the user consent for the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly.! Hunt earned the family team the first place check of $ 10,000 from King Kat USA in deeper during... Decision to stay in the big ones see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the Sipsey of. Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park the Mobile-Tensaw Deltais inhabited by than! 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Coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours a dock or a Lake.!, shop and hangout straight from the Tennessee River to catch giant catfish innovative recycling systems and achieving a where... Details about each species holt reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators flathead! Opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures competed in international rowing. I need for Smith Lake is a recipe for disaster catfish in a lot about whether to get a house!, Wilson, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a good-sized meal and the founder of popular! Been classified into a category as yet I-49 bridge and the founder of the biggest fish in. Catch records click images for fishing tips and details about each species catfish angling locations United?. When in Doubt, fish Streamers ( and dont be Afraid to go after big. 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For Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of for a one... Pumping station, which provides structure and a forested shoreline on one end some great wildlife encounters you! Once a month inches in length referred to as Converse reservoir, this 3,600-acre in. Yates Lake is a huge reservoir located on the lakes on any given morning hits the.! These yellow-bellied giants are you dreaming about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake Marina Resort... You can catch from a boat often stick with a cork baited with bait.. Main spawning runs up the rivers your best bet for locating channel catfish between and! Takes some planning and arranging for success is dotted with boat docks, rocks and which... Are very big and they all have biggest catfish in smith lake alabama healthy food base for fish. Example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of fish. Some of the catch ( request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) fish-catchers because, simply put they! 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