Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. 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. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. These locations usually have a current and are best angled with a bottom rig, such as a Carolina or Texas rig baited with the cut bait or liver. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. 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. 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.). Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? (now protected, If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. 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.). Let it rest a couple of minutes.. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. Theyre looking for food. 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. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. A 280-mile-long tributary of the Alabama River, the Coosa River is a heavily developed body of water with multiple impoundments, dams, lakes, and of course, lots of big catfish. 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. Car-sized catfish do exist. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. READ SOMETHING ELSE. Cullman, AL 35057 Fishermen tell tall tales.". Catfish Shark found lurking at Smith Lake in Alabama.. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. Rich with submerged woody cover, this lake reaches depths up to 60 feet closer to the dam, with creek channels that dip down to 20 feet. By boat, anglers should also try the rocks lining Bumpass Creek Road, where they may find the occasional blue or channel catfish lurking amongst the boulders or near the underpass. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. 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. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. Cheneyhatchee Creek also has forested, cut-lined banks for prime flathead and catfish angling. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. 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. Join al.com reporter Kelly Kazek on her weekly journey through Alabama to record the region's quirky history, strange roadside attractions and tales of colorful characters. Guntersville Reservoir, Jeremy S. White, Alexander CityJack Grant, Altoona, Richard Johnson, Bay Minette But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. 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. 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. 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. Arley, Alabama 35541 Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. The creature people reported seeing was about 25 feet long and had incredible speed. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. How do you fish for blueback herring lakes? Hoover resident Carol DiPlacido talked with me about her familys decision to purchase a weekend lakeside cabin on Smith Lake, and it turns out being easy and quick to get to was an important factor. 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. Stripers love eating them, period. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. Price: $539,000. Rentals: Pontoon boats (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). 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. 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. Hidden Cove Boat Launch Ramp Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. I love that were just an hour away from Birmingham on the Cullman side of the lake. Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. This means gorgeous, blissful privacy and stunning natural scenery. 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. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. April and May are the prime time. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? Hogan, a biologist and host of the show Monster Fish, recently spent time at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and with fishermen and scientists around the South, searching for answers to the legend of the Volkswagon-sized catfish, a tale passed among fishermen from Wilson Dam in Muscle Shoals to Lake Guntersville Dam in Marshall County. It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. 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. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan), Ive been traveling to different locations around the world investigating stories of very large fish, he said by telephone Tuesday. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. Catfish . Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. 403 Co Rd 386 Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This has led to more and larger fish in the entire Tennessee River system. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. So is Catzilla real? Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. They are no longer rare. The Solution. What is the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama? Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. The 24 kilometre long lake stretches from the city of Florence to the Wheeler Dam. Wilson Lake is an all-around fishing destination, including one of the best places in Alabama to go crappie fishing. When a big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling.. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. Crappie, spotted bass and sauger add to the action. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. White Oak Creek is another spot where anglers can trace its tributaries far past the campground and into murky, structure-filled water perfect for flatheads and largemouths. But there is no physical evidence of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers. 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. No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. 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. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. What pound test should I use for striped bass? Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. 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. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. 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. In a . Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. 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. Restaurant: YES. Wet, Nasty Crawlspace? 120 lbs.Procedures for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. 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. 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. Shelby, AL 35143 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. 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. Gizzard Shad. 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. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Its just such a friendly place. 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. Following, thanks to Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the Black Warrior River, about miles... 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