Rentals: Pontoon boats Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. A 43,000-acre lake divided between Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, this giant impoundment on the Tennessee River provides some of the best big catfish angling between the three states. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. We asked the experts. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. HUGE, actually! Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. (Aha!). Rate article Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake dam. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. (now protected, First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. Using a live minnow, shad, or crawfish, anglers should target submerged structures such as fallen trees or undercut banks to rip into massive flathead. 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. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Thats important. We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. The commercial pond catfish culture supplies the demand for catfish fillets, so commercial fishing in the lakes is a lost art. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. 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. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. 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. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. Because shad and sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see whats schooling before baiting your rig. 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 Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. 205 387-1208. 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. 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. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . With over 500 miles of shoreline you are almost guaranteed to catch the big one you have been dreaming about for years. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 403 Co Rd 386 Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Alewives. As mentioned, the dam is always an excellent choice. Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. 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. #1. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. 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. 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.). First is to get out early and find fish schooled on shad or bluebacks. The father/son team had a two-day. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. Its such an easy commute!. Dont be stingy with the bait. Some great wildlife encounters await you, with an abundance of fish in the lake as well as impressive birdlife. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Bluegills | Duck River Lake 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. The lakes deeper holes and areas with heavy currents are your best bet for locating channel catfish. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. 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 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Shelby, AL 35143 Other excellent fishing locations include Pataula Creek, the Walter F. George Lock, Hardridge Creek Boat Ramp, and the Sandy Branch Public Use Area. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Those four or five bites in a day are likely to come from very big fish. That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. 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. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. This photo was taken by Ed Mashburn. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. 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. 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. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp 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.. In Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the Lake sturgeon. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. 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. Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. Actress and singer, Miley Cyrus and actor, Liam Hemsworth have been spotted in Cullman. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. When a big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling.. Anglers can find plenty of sizable flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. 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. They are no longer rare. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. It does not store any personal data. Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. One of the better locations is the bridge and swampy area between Leroy and Jackson. Car-sized catfish do exist. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. Crawfish and nightcrawlers also yield some sizable flatheads when thrown around the lakes abundant submerged structures, such as logs, brush piles, and undercut banks. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. You get to know people and experience all there is to enjoy on the lake with them, stunning sunsets, watersports, and brunch at the marina (which can extend until dinnertime!). You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. When asked how the big ones strike, Captain Brian laughs and says, The really big ones are either going to hit it so hard youll think the rod holder will come off the boat, or the line will simply go slack as the fish takes the pressure out of the line and swims upward., The usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short.. Price: $330,000. Guntersville Reservoir, Jeremy S. White, Alexander CityJack Grant, Altoona, Richard Johnson, Bay Minette 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. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. 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. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. Alternative locations anglers can target include the cuts on the northern portion of the lakes western shoreline. Duncan Bridge Marina 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. It was the creature. Wilson Lake is an all-around fishing destination, including one of the best places in Alabama to go crappie fishing. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. 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. 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! Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. 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. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. After a short fight, the 75-pound catfish was in the boat.. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. 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. 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. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. Former county recycling manager in the UK. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. With over 500 miles of shoreline everyone can wet a line and know there is that chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. Because channel catfish love deep holes and currents, its essential to locate deeper holes with fast-moving water to target these hungry catfish. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. 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. 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. He said she caught her bi 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. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. Hidden Cove Boat Launch Ramp The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. 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. But there is no physical evidence of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers. However, Alabama is home to some of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be found anywhere. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. 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. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. About Lewis Smith Lake. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. 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. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. 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. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. 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! Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. Aside from Cedar Creek Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish. 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. I use an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a line counter, he says. RV Hookups: YES In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here.
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