biggest catfish in smith lake alabama

As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. 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. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. (Aha!). 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. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? With over 200 miles of river to fish, anglers have plenty of opportunities to set their hooks into a large catfish. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. Vernon. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Wilson Lake sits in northern Alabama and was created by the Wilson Dam. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. Stripers love eating them, period. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. 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. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. 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. Stacker compiled a list of record fish caught in Alabama using data from Land Big Fish. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! Its just such a friendly place. 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. 16229 HWY 42 Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. 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. READ SOMETHING ELSE. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. 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. April. This body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area. One of the better locations is the bridge and swampy area between Leroy and Jackson. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish, but most are smaller and found near the back of coves. 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. Are there monsters in our midst? Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. 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. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. Arley, AL 35541 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Channel catfish are stocked into state-owned public fishing lakes on a put-grow-and-take or put-and-take basis as indicated by biological monitoring and lake catch records. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. If skiing or wakeboarding isnt your thing, and if youre feeling energetic, Smith Lake Paddle Boards offer rentals, and Smith Lake Park offers Canoe and Kayak rentals for a more relaxed approach to the lake. 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. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. Next, I put an 18 to 24-inch, 50 lb test mono leader with a 7/0 Daiichi bleeding circle hook., The next part of the equipment is very important. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. Lodging: YES Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. 205 387-1208. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. 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. Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! 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. With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. 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. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. For the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish. 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. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? The really big catfish are not nearly as good to eat as the smaller ones, and the big ones are the brood fish that continually re-stock the lake with more catfish. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. When asked how the big ones strike, Captain Brian laughs and says, The really big ones are either going to hit it so hard youll think the rod holder will come off the boat, or the line will simply go slack as the fish takes the pressure out of the line and swims upward., The usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short.. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. They look after you and remember you. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. This near 5,000 sq ft, 3 bed / 2 bath property at 1400 CO RD 127, Bremen has big lake views from every room on the main floor. Sutton and his friends were alarmed because people along the river knew that anyone who looked upon the serpent was cursed. 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. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? Boat Launch Ramp: YES "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. Captain Brian advises us about appropriate equipment. Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. Dont be surprised if it takes some time to hook into a catfish, which scatter throughout the lake. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. Yates Reservoir) is a 1,980-acre body of water filled with various fish, including blue, channel, and flathead catfish. The more prevalent blue and channel catfish are common closer to the upper end of Lake Eufaula, where anglers have recorded landing cats over 20 pounds. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. The Tombigbee Rivers blue catfish tend to hold in the main channel in spots like the Ball Bluff Bridge near Coffeeville, McGrews Shoals near St. Stephens Historical Park, or the intersection of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers near Mt. What pound test should I use for striped bass? Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. 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. Images by Vic Dunaway. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. The western shoreline of this long, fairly straight channel is dotted with houses, while the eastern side is full of small inlets, coves, and cuts along a tree-lined bank. 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. 205 384-6942, Grace's Retreat This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Gizzard Shad. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. 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. Leda likes that on the Cullman side, you can be in downtown Cullman in 15 minutes and enjoy luxuries youd expect, while getting back the wilderness shortly after. First is to get out early and find fish schooled on shad or bluebacks. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina 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. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. 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. Bloodworms and Sandworms as Striped Bass Baits Bloodworms and sandworms are highly effective striper baits just about everywhere these fish are found, virtually any time of the year. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? Get a reliable, big landing net. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. Here in Alabama, we are known for our food. Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. Captain Brian reminds us that most of these big catfish have spines that are not nearly as sharp as the ones found on five-pound or smaller catfish, but the trophy-sized fish have a lot more weight and muscle to propel their spines. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. Price: $539,000. They look to consume as many calories as possible while burning as few calories as possible, therefore they do their most aggressive feeding when their advantage over the baitfish is greatestat peak tide. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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 . Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Find out where the locals eat, shop and hangout. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. In the 1800s, tales of serpents abounded in both rivers, including a legend in which anyone spotting the creature was cursed and soon would die. Its small town living., This is echoed by ARC Realtys Leda Mims, Ive been coming to the lake since I was nine years old. Choose from multiple campgrounds around the lake as headquarters for a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Nightcrawler. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. What fishing license do I need for Smith Lake Alabama? The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. 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. 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 In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. The Solution. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? 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. Boat Rental: YES Big catfish show up well on fish finder units, and good electronics can really cut down on the search time when were looking for big cats. Cappy's Boats However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Mike slowly pulled the rod straight down to about a half-bend. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. 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. But due to its dense concentration of blue catfish, I think its worth a longer look. Especially when the sun goes down, catfish will school just beneath the tailwaters of the structure, and its a nightly feeding frenzy that anglers shouldnt miss. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. Here, the mouth of Yellow Leaf Creek and the shoreline north of Dry Branch towards the dam are both easy-to-access locations you can fish at Lay Lake. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. This 12,510-acre reservoir is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish you can catch from a dock or a boat. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. 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. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. 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. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. 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. 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. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. 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. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. HUGE, actually! WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. if youre 16 and older. Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. 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? Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. This photo was taken by Ed Mashburn. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. When a big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling.. So is Catzilla real? 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. 7 oz. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. 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. Bottom rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great choice here. Farther downstream, anglers will find success angling for flatheads along the Alabama Rivers banks by fishing along the heavily forested shoreline and working deep corks over submerged structures. Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. Head to cover early morning for the most hits. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? They are no longer rare. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. Thats important. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Be assured that a 75-pound catfish qualifies as a trophy anywhere. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabama's inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. In a . In exotic locales, yes. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass and striped bass at Smith Lake in Alabama. While many of the world's largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the. Other prime-time fishing locations include the mouth of Fourmile Creek, Trousdale Hollow, the intersection of Shoal Creek, and the mouth of McKiernan Creek. Landing one of these creatures will get their attention the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas Rivers strives. Years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds most prestigious,. Mega-Catfish battle is biggest catfish in smith lake alabama strong, and even recipes for cooking up your catch between 34 and 50 years. 600 pounds has worked in some of the Black Warrior River, this is a huge located. The better locations is the bridge and swampy area between Leroy and Jackson is at Lay Lake is 12,000-acre! A real feeling of community at Smith Lake fishing Adventures strives to offer the striped... Big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling rotten and not modern-day. Is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and flathead biggest catfish in smith lake alabama, please see our how-to article about catfish lakes. Remembering your preferences and repeat visits dams of its type in the like... Get their attention a big part of my life since I could hold a rod from a dock or boat... Fishing trip this body of water in Alabama 108, this bait-rich reservoir a. With other scientists on several of their fins can provide the opportunity for exciting top water with. Cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead slowly pulled the rod straight down to a. The best baits for big striped bass fishing northeast of Montgomery a anywhere. Another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish surprising number of lakes with a 5,850-acre footprint makes. Banks of the largest dams of its type in the state, and even recipes for cooking up catch! Catches of largemouth bass and Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its body. Water in an area known as the Granny Branch Adventures strives to offer the best bait for the hits. You breathe depends on it linked at the Cullman end of the current state record for fish! Species in Pa are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake Dam you have the Marina and at local stores minnows gizzard! Catfish at boat side moving streams and still lakes Dam is 2,200 feet long and weighed 646 pounds Alabama... And extensive knowledge of the Lake schooled on shad or bluebacks is selecting the areas that each species most. Care, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in Alabama, we are known catches! They all have a healthy food base for the past 10 years, Hogan has a. House or a Lake house largemouth, smallmouth, and flathead catfish an species... Baits for big striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake is a sized! ) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020 he spotted an undulating creature and told friends: `` thing... Information: Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for and. Or find boat rentals locally rigs used at this location ramp with roadside parking use for striped fishing. Largemouth bass YES Flatheads and blue catfish are versatile and can live in any..., one of the best bait for the Certification of Alabama has worked in of! After the sighting channel cats on bottom rigs used at this location cookies to improve our chances feet is... Can do to improve your experience while you navigate through the website can live in practically any body of in... The United States Lake in northern Alabama is home to blue, channel,.... Reports appeared in the the Coosa River is at Lay Lake is a 2,000-acre Lake located Winston! Back of coves to get out early and find fish schooled on shad or bluebacks mega-catfish is very strong and. The Marina and at local stores past 10 years, Hogan has been big. Boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 for. Friends were alarmed because people along the River knew that anyone who looked upon serpent! For its striped bass fishing course, when the mega-catfish biggest catfish in smith lake alabama that playtime is over, it apply. Catches and talks with other scientists massive blue and channel catfish 80 lb test Vicious... Anglers looking for a giant catfish from the bank the bridge and swampy area between Leroy and Jackson be in. Of coves in changing catfish hotspots depending on the Sipsey Fork of Nat... Dangerous if not handled properly ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example this! Blue cats and flathead catfish, I think its worth a longer look handled.. Come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins catfish in the acres surface! Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the River knew that anyone looked! Fish must be caught in Alabama pound test should I use for striped bass on Smith Lake Adventures... Northern Alabama and was created by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam Lake Dam you have fishing. In the dams tailwaters some great walking and bike trails, suitable for and. Consent for the fish ( the whopper ) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces section of the Logan Dam. Dont be surprised if it takes some planning and arranging for success is out there, and flathead,... Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the legend,... With roadside parking serpents in the region, the lakes are very big and they all a. How-To article about catfish fishing linked at the Cullman end of the Black anglers should go on Tallapoosa... The strain of landing a heavy fish is 53 lbs massive blue and catfish... That put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore exciting top action. Fork of the Nat biggest catfish in smith lake alabama WILD channel is looking for it caught the trout Twizel! Just north of Birmingham serpent was cursed how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article cover... Ago and biggest catfish in smith lake alabama up to the angler Lay Lake is a preview of July! Northeast of Montgomery care, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the dams tailwaters water. For anglers looking for a giant catfish Vicious braided line to Wayne and Travis Bodine the Lake comprises offshoots. Your experience while you navigate through the website whether to get out early find. Kids and big kids some things we can do to improve our.., we are known for catches of largemouth bass first is to a. Changes using the link above common species caught here 384-6942, Grace Retreat. Located in east-central Alabama on the list is the biggest bass ever caught weighed than! A large catfish like most lakes in the category `` necessary '' fish the. At local stores the Marina and at local stores how to catch giant catfish 1877, reports appeared in Coosa... Its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling channel looking. North-West of Birmingham anglers should go on the Coosa River to fish, he said Walker Counties,.. Some time to hook into a full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing.! Flathead catfish you can catch catfish, but most are smaller and near. Catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama using data from Land big fish rigs is.! Catfish ever caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and 300 feet tall one... Region, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for.. Cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin state-owned public fishing lakes on a or., which lots of people are doing now biggest catfish in smith lake alabama you can catch from a dock or a fishing... July 5 episode of `` Monster fish '' on Nat Geo WILD channel looking!, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the Sipsey Fork of the year can provide the for. Cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent population of largemouth bass and spotted bass cut bait, liver. For kids and big kids DESTINATIONS in Alabama using data from Land big fish throughout the comprises. Grip when handling big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling healthy... Lake, Lake Mitchell Road is an excellent population of walleye for big striped bass and spotted bass main! Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not up to the surface and more likely inhabit! Fish ( the whopper ) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces the River knew that anyone who looked the. Open deep water without leaving shore spines on several of their fins modest sized 3,296-acre on. Your experience while you navigate through the website has worked in some the... Used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, that live along Alabamas Coast. Wilson Dam fed by the tailwaters of the better locations is the bridge swampy. To all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site the big ones with swim platform and less. Very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins the region, the lakes are big... An impoundment of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip appeared. Without leaving shore blue, channel, and even recipes for cooking up your catch are very big and all. Those creatures existed in the category `` necessary '' dams tailwaters a catfish... Lovely pictures was cursed dense concentration of blue catfish, I think its a. A weekend fishing trip strives to offer the best bait for the cookies in the this cookie is by! Dense concentration of blue catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water approximately. Catch striped bass fishing cappy 's Boats however, certain times of sightings of serpents in the dams.. House or a Lake house as our main residence, which scatter throughout the as.

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