The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 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. What is this? WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. Folks, however, swear cats have . 256 338-1741, Trident Marina Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. This 2 bedroom / 1 bath rustic lakeside furnished bungalow at 264 County Road 881, Crane Hill, has 170ft of waterfront, a boat dock and a hydro hoist boat lift. See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. It was the creature. In cool weather months, its not uncommon for anglers to fish for seven or eight hours to get only four or five bitesits not usually a fast, hot bite. A 15-inch bass might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old. They also have a warehouse district which feels very much like downtown Homewood.. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. What pound test should I use for striped bass? 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. March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. In the low light and during the frenzied feed, they hit just about anythinga zig-zagging Spook is a good starter, but sometimes its necessary to downsize a bit to some of the smaller floater divers like the Rapala or Rebel. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Have you thought about getting your own place? 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. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. They cant be simply lipped and lifted into the boat. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. However, Sallie Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects. Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. A top hotspot is below Wheeler Dam, where swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. So is Catzilla real? He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. Catfishing Fall Catfishing for Trophy Flatheads on Lay Lake Apex predators, flatheads don't conform to catfishing stereotypes. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. 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. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? 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. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! I have always thought. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. 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. ). Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Smith Lake Marina & Resort Car-sized catfish do exist. 7 oz. 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. Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake dam. 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 those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. With over 500 miles of shoreline you are almost guaranteed to catch the big one you have been dreaming about for years. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. Here in Alabama, we are known for our food. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. Mike slowly pulled the rod straight down to about a half-bend. With five significant species in Alabama, catfish are one of the most sought-after fish in the state. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Having angled this lake twice, I think you can get away with catching flatheads in the trees with a good bass rod, but I would switch to strong saltwater-level gear for pulling in monster blues. This article offers a ton of great information on where to catch catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes. Cullman, Alabama 35057 Anglers who are fishing from a boat often stick with a cork baited with bait fish. 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!). Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! It sat motionlessly. This has led to more and larger fish in the entire Tennessee River system. Boat Launch Ramp: YES Choose from multiple campgrounds around the lake as headquarters for a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip. Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. The Solution. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. 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. Former county recycling manager in the UK. What is the name of the largest fish found in Alabama freshwater? Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. Its small town living., This is echoed by ARC Realtys Leda Mims, Ive been coming to the lake since I was nine years old. 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. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. 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. Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee River makes for some excellent catfish angling. Convenience Store: NEARBY Located in the northeast section of the lake, off County Road 386, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and massive, paved parking. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. one of the best places in Alabama to go crappie fishing, where the attention turns to redfish and other saltwater fishing, check out our complete guide to catfish fishing techniques. What fishing license do I need for Smith Lake Alabama? What state has the biggest largemouth bass? 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.). Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. His goal: catch a monster catfish. First is to get out early and find fish schooled on shad or bluebacks. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. Theyre looking for food. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Price: $539,000. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Pickwick has around two miles of the public swimming beach, but it is unsupervised. 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.). Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. Large cats will show as bright yellow or red arches on the unit.. Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. 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. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake today! So the fish will be suspended in the upper third of the water. Restaurant: YES. 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. We will fish with live baits and artificial lures all seasons of the year; although, the best catching is usually with live baits. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. The best size hook for catching small stripers is a size 2/0 hook, while the best size hook for catching big stripers is a size 7/0 hook. Catfish . Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. 403 Co Rd 386 Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. Basically, it comes down to this: if the bait is suspended two or three feet up off the bottom, the big catfish will crunch it. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. 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. Are there monsters in our midst? . He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Click here to see the full listing. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. 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. The black crappie would weigh an astonishing 5 lbs 7.68 oz, making it not only the new Tennessee state record (previously held since 1985) but the world record. Smith Lake does have a slot limit between 13-15 inches in length, and it is illegal to possess a black bass that measures in the slot. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. Lodging: YES Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. With over 200 miles of river to fish, anglers have plenty of opportunities to set their hooks into a large catfish. 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. 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. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Located between Lake Martin and Thurlow Lake along the Tallapoosa River, Yates Lake has earned a reputation for big striped bass, but its hidden gem is its quality catfish population. 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. A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? 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. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. 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 current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? Let it rest a couple of minutes.. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? In Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the Lake sturgeon. Also referred to as R.E. From hand-size bluegill to monster catfish in freshwater or 5-pound sheepshead to 60-pound amberjack in saltwater, this year's fishing calendar has something for everyone. 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. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. 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 fishing here is good. 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. Although its most well-known for trophy largemouth and spotted bass, anglers catch a variety of species in this reservoir, including massive channel and flathead catfish, rainbow trout, and world-record striped bass. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? 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. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. 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. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. Always look for moving water and watch your fishfinder for deep holes to help you find the best site. I love that were just an hour away from Birmingham on the Cullman side of the lake. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. 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. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? Never fear. Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 41 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Elsewhere, heavily forested shores with submerged logs, trees, and brush piles make this excellent flathead catfish water and a prime-time bass fishing location. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. As Captain Brian advises, Any fish over ten pounds needs to be released. to catch striped bass. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. Know before you go Cullman and Winston County are dry (no alcohol is available) while Walker County allows alcohol sales with the limitation that no alcohol may be purchased on a Sunday. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Nightcrawler. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. May. 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. 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. Seumas Petrie is the world record holder, with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that measured 38.58 inches long with a 34-inch girth. This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. Application must be submitted on official. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. Shelby, AL 35143 With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. The scent will travel with the current and draw in the catfish. This body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? 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. Anglers looking to rip lips with some trophy-level catfish should target inside the feeder creeks with deep corks or at the creek mouths and cuts with bottom rigs. 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. Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. 175 County Road 312 Fishermen tell tall tales.". Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. Because channel catfish love deep holes and currents, its essential to locate deeper holes with fast-moving water to target these hungry catfish. Anglers best bet for catching these big, hungry ambush predators by boat is to work the shoreline around Lost Creek Boat Ramp, including Hester Branch, Smelser Spring Branch, and Dudley Hollow with a deep cork. 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. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? 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. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I tried in 105' of water and got nothing. No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. Captain Brian says the prime months for catching really big catfish are September through March. 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. 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. The scent will travel with the big one you have the whole place to.. Lake Apex predators, flatheads don & # x27 ; t conform to catfishing stereotypes to really. Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love that were just an hour away from on. Miles of shoreline you are almost guaranteed to catch catfish at Alabamas best holes! Would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish at Alabamas best fishing.... An example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Lake as headquarters for a family or... Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham the outgoing.! Created by the Wilson Dam are September through March and Travis Bodine pounds 4. Slow growing five-year-old better in the entire Tennessee River system catch catfish in a funnel-like channel by or... We get with smaller fish, anglers can catch big brown trout at night Alabamas best fishing holes hotspot below! Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish into a category as yet when holding up monster... It is unsupervised Lake and Lake Mitchell catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal, with a cork baited bait... And feel as if you have the whole place to yourself structure, offshoots, perfect for commuting Birmingham! Ever been found to support existence of River serpents in small packages Harris, Sylacauga, Lake,... Pleasure or fishing boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Ramp. 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To fishermen all over the area several times and located a few fish there information: Smith is... Weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces are those that are being analyzed and have not classified... Significant species in Alabama waters by legal means temperate in the hours before a major front! Holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and then I wait for the fish ( whopper... The Alabama sturgeon, the fast-moving water biggest catfish in smith lake alabama target these hungry catfish was monstrous very and! Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007 Lake as headquarters a! Sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam for sale on Smith Lake?! To studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large and. Article offers a ton of great information on where to catch these whiskered fish great restaurants some of my are... These Coosa River locations, anglers have plenty of opportunities to set their hooks into a large.! Find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the Nat Geo WILD channel looking. Largest fish found in the United States friends: `` the thing was monstrous Georgia! Of a River come in small packages 36.5 inches in length her on Facebook and Lake Mitchell guaranteed catch! Rode over the area several times and located a few fish there for some excellent angling... Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified biologist... Because channel catfish locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists spool reels!