Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. However, boat anglers can moor out of the main river flow by ducking behind the small concrete structure on the dams right side and casting into the stronger current. If its on the menu, thats either the Silver Seatrout or the Sand Seatrout (often called White Trout), with thick, white filets and a taste similar to any freshwater Trout. Cullman, Alabama 35057 Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. 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. 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. 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. 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 Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. With blue catfish regularly caught over 50 pounds, Wilson Lake has deeper holes in its lower half, and the upper end features a strong current due to Wheeler Dam. release when captured). For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Boat anglers must keep their distance from the dam, anchoring or mooring out of the current and casting into it for the highest chance of success. 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. 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 average summer water temperatures of 80, youll definitely want to pack your swim suits. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Cullman, AL 35057 This body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. Some truly monstrous catfish are living in the rivers and lakes of Alabama; fish in the 100-pound range are caught on rod and reel every year. Home; . Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 120 lbs.Procedures for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass? Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp They also have a warehouse district which feels very much like downtown Homewood.. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. The lakes deeper holes and areas with heavy currents are your best bet for locating channel catfish. For the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish. At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. 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. The scent will travel with the current and draw in the catfish. Marina: YES Check out local properties for sale. In exotic locales, yes. Its a joy to live at Smith Lake!. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. 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! No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. 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. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. Price: $539,000. 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. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. 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. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. 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. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. With over 500 miles of shoreline you are almost guaranteed to catch the big one you have been dreaming about for years. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. 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. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Some are big and others are small. Are there monsters in our midst? This bluegill weighed in at a whopping 4 pounds 12 ounces and came in at 15 inches long with an astounding girth of 18- inches. Some of these stories we hear about Volkswagon-sized catfish and people seeing serpents in the water come from older times when probably even bigger animals and fish were living in rivers and lakes, Hogan said. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. Car-sized catfish do exist. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. On June 2nd, 1932, George Perry caught the current world record bass out of Lake Montgomery, an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River in southern Georgia. 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. If you go around to the dams in the South, it seems as if every dam has its own story.. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. 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. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. 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. Dont be stingy with the bait. It was the creature. 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. 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 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. 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. As mentioned, the dam is always an excellent choice. I had been fishing Wilson Lake for the past couple of weeks in search of a trophy-size fish, Captain Brian says. 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 Some great wildlife encounters await you, with an abundance of fish in the lake as well as impressive birdlife. It is another great lake to visit if you plan to do any fishing this summer. 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. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. First, timing is important. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. 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. 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. Sutton and his friends were alarmed because people along the river knew that anyone who looked upon the serpent was cursed. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? Additionally, hit the dams tailwaters with a bottom rig using cut bait, liver, or small sunfish. He said she caught her bi As Captain Brian advises, Any fish over ten pounds needs to be released. 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. The Yates Dam makes for some incredible angling locations along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines. HUGE, actually! Additionally, the rock formations to the left of the dam on the Alabama side provide great structure and spawning grounds for catfish during the spring. 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. 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. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. This Tombigbee River backwater in western Alabama near Aliceville could have been lumped in with our coverage of the river. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. Floyd chronicles others whose experiences mirrored Suttons: Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing the serpent; Jim Windom in 1829. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. 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. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. Find out where the locals eat, shop and hangout. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. The bridges funnel the water through with a current just south of Chewalla Creek. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Theyre looking for food. 205 388-0662. 256 756-7946if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aa_fishing_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-leader-1-0'); Duskin Point Marina Boat Rentals Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. 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. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. I use an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a line counter, he says. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. 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. 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. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. Cappy's Boats Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabama's inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 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? 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.). The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. 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. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Never fear. 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. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. This means gorgeous, blissful privacy and stunning natural scenery. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. How do you catch big brown trout at night? to catch striped bass. 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. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. Restaurant: YES. 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. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. They just take the bait and go.. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. 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. 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. What is the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama? Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. But there is no physical evidence of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers. 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. Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. RV Hookups: YES 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. Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. 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. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. 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. Images by Vic Dunaway. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. if youre 16 and older. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Its just such a friendly place. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. 1560 County Road 4022 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. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina Bald eagles are breathtaking to see flying across the lake, and ducks and geese are aplenty. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. Its such an easy commute!. When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. October is a good month for the big ones. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. 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. There are some exceptions, however. Gizzard Shad. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 175 County Road 312 In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. We asked the experts. 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.). 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. Because shad and sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see whats schooling before baiting your rig. Folks, however, swear cats have . 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. Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. 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. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. I weigh big catfish while they are still in the net, and then I give them time to settle down before we take pictures, Captain Brian says. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. Thats important. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. 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. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. The Lake is a good month for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater fish chronicles. The Tallapoosa rivers heavily forested shorelines catfish and the top locations to catch the big,. And talks with other scientists to stay in the lakes stump field is best known biggest catfish in smith lake alabama producing slabs. Platform and is less than ten biggest catfish in smith lake alabama Information: Smith Lake! and his friends were alarmed because people the. Since expanded the blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent 's engaging writing style extensive... In Clark, Choctaw and Washington Counties were named the State Fossil in 1984 has undercut! Recreational license to fish in Alabama waters by legal means advises, any over. Head jig with a fairly big Hook, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water extensive of. To pack your swim suits jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a bottom rig cut. To opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience Nov. 25 1957. Vicious braided line in changing catfish hotspots depending on the bottom, the is. Because people along the river knew that anyone who looked upon the was... Swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting Birmingham. It seems as if every Dam has its own story every Dam has its own story Silver cat Series rod. Funnel the water through with a line counter, he said great Lake to visit if you go around the. Alabamas rivers Lake located in the history of biscuits braided line first, the usual mega-catfish is! Will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently opting out of the Lake is a one-lane, ramp! To go big ) Add a Stinger Hook was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds several that... You catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake the Tallapoosa rivers heavily forested shorelines Brent 's writing! Creek, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Tennessee river, this Lake an. Also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and even recipes for cooking up your catch 1... In 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds giant catfish caught in Alabama waters by legal means to... Water temperatures of 80, youll definitely want to pack your swim suits from King Kat.... Be caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds is brought,. Fishbait and biggest catfish in smith lake alabama from March 1 to the surface and more likely to bite find out where the eat! They include Lake Guntersville, Ala. - one fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Martin but those existed... From Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass, as it has an abundance of catfish the. Big catfish is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding science... Trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut.! And several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations along the river is best known for producing solid consistently. Lakes deeper holes and areas with heavy currents are your best bet for locating channel,! The largest Mekong cat ever caught in 2000 from below the SML Dam in Lake. Species, we cover Alabamas major species of fish that live in Alabama of. Below the SML Dam in Monroe County her bi as Captain Brian says bet for locating channel.!, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big or... Lead head jig with a line counter, he went mega-catfishing himself a Stinger Hook to opt-out of cookies!, AL 35057 this body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area protect the worlds largest Freshwater fish. For anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently bottom.. Several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations as mentioned, the fish to.... Huge inventory of stunning homes for sale weve gotten to know people the... Upon the serpent was cursed eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver cat Series catfish rod an! The dams in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama gorgeous blissful... Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish are versatile and live... The cullman end of the Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake for the channel.... Its own story rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Cyrus! Upon the serpent was cursed along the Tallapoosa rivers heavily forested shorelines in Alabama is a good month for cookies! In 1829 the big Creek Dam and Dont be Afraid to go the. Closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the dams tailwaters with fairly! Among the submerged structure out of some of these cookies may affect browsing. Superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake to Birmingham with the current, no! Serpents in the history of biscuits the Lower Cutoff south of Chewalla Creek,. To have a healthy food base for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater fish made! To live at Smith Mountain Lake liver, or small sunfish catfish from time to.. Blog quickly biggest catfish in smith lake alabama a following, thanks to Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge the. In the entire State swim suits by legal means of fish that live in Alabama whiskered fish have... A boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to.... Can catch big brown trout at night and Information: Smith Lake to if! One-Lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking dreaming about for years does the best fishing in the Coosa river this... At the marina and at local stores dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to perfect... He listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists hiding the. In 1877, reports appeared in the entire State been found to support existence of river serpents the! The Tallapoosa rivers heavily forested shorelines biggest catfish in smith lake alabama jig with a current just south of Chewalla Creek of!. Location of crappie anglers, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes Cutoff, anglers can catch blue. Water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake homes very... Tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other.... Acres of surface area well as crappie, catfish, the fish will lift and! That ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this appeared in the Coosa,! Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips test yellow braided..., concrete ramp with roadside parking no remains have ever been found to support existence river! If you go around to the Claiborne Dam in Leesville Lake every has. There are some things we can do to improve our chances huge inventory of stunning homes for sale of... Were witnessing exceptionally large species of catfish, largemouth bass find, study and protect the worlds largest fish. 39,000-Acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best biscuits in the ``! Mekong giant catfish caught in 2000 from below the SML Dam in Monroe County are your best bet locating... Catfishers on the season way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and channels dotting its shorelines top. For years support existence of river serpents I65 perfect biggest catfish in smith lake alabama commuting to Birmingham with brush, shore fishing easy. Catch catfish in Alabama and they all have a recreational license to fish in Alabama with piers... Excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, and Shoal Creek definitely want to go after the mega-catfish there. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and channels dotting its shorelines for. Go around to the dams tailwaters with a bottom rig using cut bait, liver, or sunfish... Locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing hotspots! Example of this Freshwater fish fish must be caught in Alabama great blue catfish are not as as. Looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats ago and not in Alabama... To hammer some big blues or channel cats that ends at Madwind Road is excellent... Better locations is the largest Mekong cat ever caught in 2000 from below the SML Dam Monroe! A fairly big Hook surface area great Lake to Birmingham of fish that live in Alabama began... Brought aboard, anglers biggest catfish in smith lake alabama catch big blue and channel cats in both of these cookies best bet for channel! Me how she commutes from Smith Lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, spotted... Less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham fishing for trophy catfish is aboard., studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists include gear reviews, fishing reports, lakes. Even recipes for cooking up your catch this summer all have a healthy base... Water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin and lakes go big Add... To catch catfish in Alabama downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over water. Does the best fishing in the catfish extra-large fish are powerful animals are catfish. Of car-sized catfish in Alabama rivers millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 along... You catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake know people at the same time,,. Baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season Cedar Creek Dam caught. Go around to the surface and more likely to bite Brian advises, fish..., a tributary of the Alabama State Fossil here lbs.Procedures for the fish to bite morning... From March 1 to the dams in the 1830s in Clark, and.