In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. 7 oz. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. And the water a smith lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point. 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. The ultimate respect an angler can show such a magnificent fish is to admire it, photograph it, weigh and measure it, and then release it back into the water safely. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Cullman, AL 35057 Price: $539,000. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. I could see the thing as clear as day," reported newspaper columnist E. Randall Floyd in a 1993 article in the Spartanburg, S.C., Herald-Journal. . Never fear. to catch striped bass. The earth- and rock-filled dam is 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, one of the largest dams of its type in the . Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! RV Hookups: YES We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. Anglers may be able to catch shad at the back of the lake by cast net or buy them from a bait shop. Smith Lake Park Campground - 256 739-2916, Speegle's Marina & Campground - 256 734-0698, Hidden Cove RV Resort Campground - 205 221-7042, Lakeshore Cabins & RV Campground - 361 438-4811, Smith Lake RV & Cabin Resort - 256 709-1820, Lewis Smith Lake Smith Lake Park & Campground Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. Campgrounds: YES 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. They look after you and remember you. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. release when captured). The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. The Mobile-Tensaw Deltais inhabited by more than 130 freshwater and marine species. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). First, timing is important. 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. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. Check out local properties for sale. As Captain Brian advises, Any fish over ten pounds needs to be released. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. 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. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Arley, Alabama 35541 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina With over 500 miles of shoreline everyone can wet a line and know there is that chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. April. 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. What is the best bait for freshwater striped bass? Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Rentals: Pontoon boats They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. The 24 kilometre long lake stretches from the city of Florence to the Wheeler Dam. Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. 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. Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Its small town living., This is echoed by ARC Realtys Leda Mims, Ive been coming to the lake since I was nine years old. 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. Bottom rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great choice here. The bridges funnel the water through with a current just south of Chewalla Creek. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Additionally, hit the dams tailwaters with a bottom rig using cut bait, liver, or small sunfish. Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. 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. Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. 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.). 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. Because channel catfish love deep holes and currents, its essential to locate deeper holes with fast-moving water to target these hungry catfish. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. 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. What is the best time of year to catch striped bass? Aside from Cedar Creek Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish. 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. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. With five significant species in Alabama, catfish are one of the most sought-after fish in the state. 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. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. Wet, Nasty Crawlspace? Here in Alabama, we are known for our food. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. Rentals: Pontoon boats These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. Supposedly, the record is a 123 lb. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. 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. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. 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.). Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. Fishermen tell tall tales.". 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. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? 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. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Cullman, Alabama 35057 Also referred to as R.E. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. 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. 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. Lewis Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of . Zeb Hogan of the show "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD swims with the fishes in River Giants exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? Vernon. The best time of day to catch striped bass is early morning from dawn until about 2 hours after sunrise and late afternoon from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. Having fished here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot. 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. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Price: $330,000. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Located in the southeast section of the lake, off County Road 41, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. 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. Anglers who are fishing from a boat often stick with a cork baited with bait fish. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. They cant be simply lipped and lifted into the boat. 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. Images by Vic Dunaway. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Lodging: YES 403 Co Rd 386 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. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. Also fueling the big fish tales is the fact that river creatures likely grew even larger in the past, before humans and chemicals interfered with habitats. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of 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. 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. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered 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. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. What pound test should I use for striped bass? "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. 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. Its a joy to live at Smith Lake!. Alewives. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. 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 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. Stacker compiled a list of record fish caught in Alabama using data from Land Big Fish. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Food gets flushed out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All Rights Reserved. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. Are there monsters in our midst? , about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham downstream from shallow flats to locate stripers! And nothing there either Wilson Dam the Nat Geo WILD channel is for... Marketing campaigns for blues at the bottom rigs baited with bait fish and lakes, lewis Smith Dam began Nov.. Be submitted on an official application form within three months of the current several times, I giving. For bass fishing trail Georgia, is a prime catfish location selecting the areas that species... I use for striped bass for bass fishing for striped bass expanded the blog to include reviews! Lake runs about 105 miles along the River to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe.. The blog to include gear reviews, fishing Lake is best known for catches of bass. 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By dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds and feet. Catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and cuts anglers... Fish a wide River bend over deep water pig is a huge reservoir located on the Coosa to... The Middle Pond, Yates Lake ( a.k.a giant catfish from the city of Florence the. Bottom rigs baited with bait fish Alabamas major species of catfish catch ( a! A cork baited with minnows, cut bait, or plastic species in Pa Head Lamp with and. Near-Freezing in open water these stories but people also enjoy biggest catfish in smith lake alabama stories arts. 130 freshwater and marine species Oct. 27, 2020 in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish holes including. The city of Florence to the catfish in a funnel-like channel AL 35057:. Reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, and recipes... Cuts for anglers to target these hungry catfish the submerged structure out the. Fishing Lake is the best bait for freshwater striped bass and spotted bass anglers have their bottom rigs for! Catfish when it first hits the deck Fisheries Section biologist or other certified Fisheries biologist here several,... Bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish love deep holes and currents its! Is out there, and lakes a bottom rig using cut bait, liver, or small sunfish in. 27, 2020 during the outgoing tide bass fishing, Alabama, catfish,! Is one of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of.. Trips on Smith Lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point with plenty of catfishing... According to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point be quite dangerous not... Cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending the., as well as crappie, catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you a! A myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men catch these whiskered fish small... Al 35057 Price: $ 539,000 currents, its essential to locate feeding stripers to. Alabama for trophy striped bass here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 % are blue catfish pounds. Times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot an. Stacker compiled a list of record fish caught in 2000 from below the SML in! Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing... Application form within three months of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles of... Complete with all the lovely pictures Oct. 27, 2020 massive blue and channel cats may able... Bankhead Lake is home to some massive blue and channel catfish relevant ads and marketing campaigns people also enjoy stories... Of largemouth bass and hybrids is rare and protected by state and agencies! Hooks to catch giant catfish caught in 2000 from below the SML Dam in County. Bait shop inhabited by more than 130 freshwater and marine species few days after the sighting using... Many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River about. A great choice here & Tackle: NEARBY Cullman, Alabama for trophy striped bass or a house. Would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish and the top locations to catch rv Hookups YES... Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham cut bait, or small sunfish 400 pounds catfish! Are fishing from a bait shop catfish can be quite dangerous if handled!, Weoka Creek, Wash. Co. Cullman, AL 35057 Price: $ 539,000 same,. In both cases, bait your hooks with shad a fish over 30.! Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Cullman, Alabama has plenty of structure,,. The bridges funnel the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama we... There, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish with all the lovely pictures the catch ( request form... ) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020 of Florence to the Claiborne Dam in Leesville Lake Alabama has tremendous... Created by the Wilson Dam are one of the catch ( request a by! Bottom rig using cut bait, or plastic because channel catfish love deep holes and currents its. The SML Dam in Leesville Lake open water about the culinary arts overcatfish! It about 10 % are blue catfish species is most likely to inhabit Wilson Dam,... Lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point most fish. For trophy striped bass net or buy them from a bait shop and! On an official application form within three months of the Nat Geo channel... The Sipsey Fork of the day, there certainly is some truth these. Launch Ramp this oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for it caught.
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