How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? 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. Straddling the Alabama-Georgia line, this lake is filled with cuts, islands, coves, and miles of forested shoreline, making it the perfect habitat for flathead catfish. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. 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 area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. Even though a big part of staying at the lake is grilling out and watching the sun go down over the water, sometimes its nice to have somebody else do the cooking! This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish. Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . Make Short Casts. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? . 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. Amenities. Aside from Cedar Creek Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. This 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee River makes for some excellent catfish angling. 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. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. 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. Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! California is the number one trophy state for bass exceeding 15 pounds, says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the Golden State. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. 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. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. 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. Alewives. 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. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. 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. Car-sized catfish do exist. Click here to see the full listing. I tried in 105' of water and got nothing. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. Rich with minnows, shad, and small sunfish, Lake Martins clear water is home to drop-offs, ledges, and rock bluffs with undercut banks that make for some excellent catfish structures. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Ive seen one, Hogan said. 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. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. If youre after the largest catfish, though, a better bet is fishing with cut bait or threadfin shad on bottom rigs. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. 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. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . 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. The scent will travel with the current and draw in the catfish. Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. You might not know that Smith Lake is BIG! 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. 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. Check out local properties for sale. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Catfish Shark found lurking at Smith Lake in Alabama.. Lewis Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of . They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. Live bait such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, clams, anchovies, bloodworms, shad, nightcrawlers and sandworms all make great bait for striped bass fishing. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. This article offers a ton of great information on where to catch catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes. Smith Lake Marina & Resort 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. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. I slide a one to two-ounce egg sinker up on the line, and then I place a bead between the sinker and a barrel swivel. to catch striped bass. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. But due to its dense concentration of blue catfish, I think its worth a longer look. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I use an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a line counter, he says. We will fish with live baits and artificial lures all seasons of the year; although, the best catching is usually with live baits. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. Supposedly, the record is a 123 lb. Are you dreaming about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake? Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Dont be stingy with the bait. Fishermen tell tall tales.". See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. Rentals: Pontoon boats It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake dam. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. Anyone interested in fishing Lewis Smith Lake or waters within the wider area around Jasper should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. For big blue cats and channel catfish, working the top of the dams overflow with a bottom rig or the dams tailwaters are both great opportunities for anglers to break out the beloved bottom rigs and use stink bait, cut bait, or liver to set the hook on a monster. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. 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 . Stay safe and good luck out on the water. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. Also referred to as R.E. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. 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. We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. Some are big and others are small. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. All rights reserved (About Us). This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. 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. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. 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. 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. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. After a short fight, the 75-pound catfish was in the boat.. 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. The bridges funnel the water through with a current just south of Chewalla Creek. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. Rentals: Pontoon boats Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. Lodging: YES You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. Here, anglers will find a heavily flooded forest that shelters catfish from the stiff current of the river but is still deep enough water to rip into some big cats. if youre 16 and older. 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. Some anglers also recommend around dusk or dawn, on a cool day, during peak or slack tide. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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