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. Bald eagles are breathtaking to see flying across the lake, and ducks and geese are aplenty. It has 21,000 acres of some of the cleanest and deepest lake water in the USA (260ft) and over 500 miles of beautiful tree-lined coastline. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. They just take the bait and go.. Actress and singer, Miley Cyrus and actor, Liam Hemsworth have been spotted in Cullman. Floyd chronicles others whose experiences mirrored Suttons: Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing the serpent; Jim Windom in 1829. Food gets flushed out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers. 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. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. It was the creature. Folks, however, swear cats have . Anglers should note that in recent years, chemical drain-off has affected the edibility of fish in over 200 waterways, so check with your local Fish and Game office before consuming any fish from Alabama waterways. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. 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. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Globally, there are 27 kinds of sturgeons. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. Big catfish show up well on fish finder units, and good electronics can really cut down on the search time when were looking for big cats. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. Nightcrawler. 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. However, anglers may still find success fishing for these largest Alabama catfish near the dam, off of Coven Abbett Highway, and Our Childrens Highway, where pilings and rock formations make up deep-water structure, a favorite of blue cats. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. The $29 million project was formally dedicated on May 23, 1961, and named for Alabama Power Company president Lewis M. Smith, who had been closely involved in its planning and design. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Located in southeastern Alabama, Lake Harding is home to various species, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and a host of bass. Wilson Lake is an all-around fishing destination, including one of the best places in Alabama to go crappie fishing. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. However, most people miss the trophy catfish that lurk a little deeper, preying on the sunfish and bream. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. The best fishing for big cats occurs when the dams are generating maximum current. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. 403 Co Rd 386 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. 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. This photo was taken by Ed Mashburn. 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 Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. Hidden Cove Boat Launch Ramp Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. 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. Campgrounds: YES Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. Always look for moving water and watch your fishfinder for deep holes to help you find the best site. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. What pound test should I use for striped bass? 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. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. What fishing license do I need for Smith Lake Alabama? Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake today! Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. 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. Theyre looking for food. 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. 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. 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. The Tombigbee Rivers blue catfish tend to hold in the main channel in spots like the Ball Bluff Bridge near Coffeeville, McGrews Shoals near St. Stephens Historical Park, or the intersection of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers near Mt. The bridges funnel the water through with a current just south of Chewalla Creek. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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 father/son team had a two-day. 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. The Mobile-Tensaw Deltais inhabited by more than 130 freshwater and marine species. 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. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp Fishermen tell tall tales.". Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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? In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? 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. Also referred to as R.E. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. Cullman, AL 35057 The Yates Dam makes for some incredible angling locations along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. 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. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. 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. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. 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. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. Ive seen one, Hogan said. Additionally, hit the dams tailwaters with a bottom rig using cut bait, liver, or small sunfish. However, Alabama is home to some of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be found anywhere. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. 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. 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. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. Duncan Bridge Marina Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really like. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. 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. 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.). It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. Are there monsters in our midst? Its small town living., This is echoed by ARC Realtys Leda Mims, Ive been coming to the lake since I was nine years old. Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. Spring brings warmer waters, and the main spawning runs up the rivers. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Arley, Alabama 35541 Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park 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.. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. 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. Click here to see the full listing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. On his trip to the Tennessee Aquarium, Hogan dove with fish in its new River Giants exhibit so he could experience swimming with the over-sized specimens. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . if youre 16 and older. Rentals: Pontoon boats The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. What is the best time of year to catch striped bass? What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. 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. 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. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. This 9,200-acre reservoir along the Black River in west-central Alabama is a catfish haven. 205 384-6942, Grace's Retreat After the big fish is hooked, its largely a matter of holding on when the fish tries to run and then steadily applying pressure and taking in line when its possible. What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass? The fishing here is good. ). April and May are the prime time. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. Your Guide to Quintessential AL Foods. HUGE, actually! Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. Vernon. 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. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. It does not store any personal data. In a . Find out where the locals eat, shop and hangout. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. 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. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). Alewives. 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. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. With over 600 miles of shoreline, this emerald green-appearing gem in North Alabama is rated among the cleanest man made lakes in the U.S. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. Thats important. A fisherman reported seeing a 20-foot-long creature with large fins slithering near the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface. 205 388-0662. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. Pickwick Lake, located in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, covers 43,100 acres (174 km) and is well known for smallmouth bass and Tennessee River Catfish. 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. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this.
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