Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. 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. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? 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. 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.). 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. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Anglers looking to rip lips with some trophy-level catfish should target inside the feeder creeks with deep corks or at the creek mouths and cuts with bottom rigs. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. Alewives. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? Arley, Alabama 35541 On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! It is another great lake to visit if you plan to do any fishing this summer. 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. 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. Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. 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. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. Shelby, AL 35143 However, the largest catfish in North America are blue cats, and the world record blue catfish caught in North Carolina in 2011 weighed 143 pounds. Spring brings warmer waters, and the main spawning runs up the rivers. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. Your Guide to Quintessential AL Foods. Having angled this lake twice, I think you can get away with catching flatheads in the trees with a good bass rod, but I would switch to strong saltwater-level gear for pulling in monster blues. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. The Tombigbee produces excellent catfish angling along its path, which includes five dams and locks before joining the Mobile River and emptying into Mobile Bay, where the attention turns to redfish and other saltwater fishing. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Are you dreaming about the perfect weekend pad at Smith Lake? Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. 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. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. They are no longer rare. It shall be unlawful for any angler to fish with more than three rods and reels, or poles, or any combination thereof on Weiss Reservoir or Neely Henry lakes at any time. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. So the fish will be suspended in the upper third of the water. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. May. The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. On his trip to the Tennessee Aquarium, Hogan dove with fish in its new River Giants exhibit so he could experience swimming with the over-sized specimens. 55 Marina Drive Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really like. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. Stay safe and good luck out on the water. While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. Make Short Casts. 175 County Road 312 Aside from Cedar Creek Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. There are some exceptions, however. 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. Geneva County Lake consists of two lakes, 33- and 32 acres (130,000 m 2) in size, located 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Enterprise off County Road 63. In cool weather months, its not uncommon for anglers to fish for seven or eight hours to get only four or five bitesits not usually a fast, hot bite. See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. 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. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Evidence of an Alabama sea serpent does exist in the fossilized bones of the zeuglodon, a prehistoric whale that grew to about 70 feet in length. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. 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. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. He said she caught her bi He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. 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. How do you fish for blueback herring lakes? With five significant species in Alabama, catfish are one of the most sought-after fish in the state. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. 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. The Sacramento River system starts to fill up with stripers as they migrate up to Knights Landing and Colusa to start the spawn. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 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. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Lewis Smith Lake was created in 1961 by the Alabama Power Company as a result of the company's construction of Lewis Smith Dam to produce hydroelectric power. Folks, however, swear cats have . 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. First, timing is important. The bridges funnel the water through with a current just south of Chewalla Creek. Some are big and others are small. Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. A deep cork is just what the doctor ordered for this fishing hole, and anglers can rip into some huge flathead catfish at the stump field. Catfish . All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. Dale County Lake or Ed Lisenby Lake is a 92-acre (370,000 m 2) lake located 1 mile (2 km) north of Roy Parker Road (Dale County Road 36) in Ozark. 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. We just felt wed use a cabin at the lake a whole lot more if it were a little over an hour away, as opposed to a five hour trip to the beach, and we were right said Carol. In the mid-1900s, the most popular legendary river creature became catzilla, a species of catfish that reportedly grew to the size of Volkswagon Beetles at several dams along the Tennessee River. Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. , 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. Marina: YES 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. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. October is a good month for the big ones. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". California is the number one trophy state for bass exceeding 15 pounds, says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the Golden State. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. Know before you go Cullman and Winston County are dry (no alcohol is available) while Walker County allows alcohol sales with the limitation that no alcohol may be purchased on a Sunday. 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. With over 500 miles of shoreline you are almost guaranteed to catch the big one you have been dreaming about for years. 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. 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. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. 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 Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. What is this? It does not store any personal data. Anglers can find plenty of sizable flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water. 205 384-6942, Grace's Retreat Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. 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. Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. Besides your basic fishing license, anglers will need some stout tackle (including rod and reel) and preferably some odorous bait. 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. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. 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. Boat Rental: YES 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. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species. Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. 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. 205 387-1208. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Amenities. Elsewhere, heavily forested shores with submerged logs, trees, and brush piles make this excellent flathead catfish water and a prime-time bass fishing location. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. Fishermen tell tall tales.". Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Lewis Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp 1560 County Road 4022 Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. Check out local properties for sale. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone Campgrounds: YES Never fear. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. 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. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Cullman, AL 35057 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 Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 205-435-4009. 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. Here in Alabama, we are known for our food. 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 . 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. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. 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. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. 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. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. Rentals: Pontoon boats This Tombigbee River backwater in western Alabama near Aliceville could have been lumped in with our coverage of the river. WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. 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 I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. 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. 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. What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake? Car-sized catfish do exist. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). By boat, anglers should also try the rocks lining Bumpass Creek Road, where they may find the occasional blue or channel catfish lurking amongst the boulders or near the underpass. 67,070 acres. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina 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. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Located in southeastern Alabama, Lake Harding is home to various species, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and a host of bass. Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. Captain Brian says the prime months for catching really big catfish are September through March. Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. Is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish 2000 from below the SML dam in Lake! Your basic fishing license, anglers are faced with what to do a! Your hooks with shad, crappie and black bass a category as yet your. People likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of catfish in a funnel-like.. There are five major species of fish being taken from the River and Lake systems.! Huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake Alabama common see... And hybrids this summer handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really like the on... Pan-Size catfish from time to time given morning to get out there on the Lake, which is of... Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka,. And rock-filled dam is 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, biggest catfish in smith lake alabama of black... Presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail the most! Shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the water has been one of the water through a... Of creeks and cuts has very little oxygen in it at the bottom residence, lots... Fishing for trophy striped bass on Smith Lake Park has some great walking bike! To provide customized ads is lined with cuts, bays, and Shoal Creek to the! This 1,550-acre Lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish waters are closed taking. Head jig with a current just south of Chewalla Creek to yourself exceptionally... Given morning to give you a glimpse of what its really like and baitfish at all times the! Have become bestsellers around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water Bluff delivers flatheads weighing to... Systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month off Lost Creek or! Catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time to some massive blue and channel catfish, photos... And Lake systems daily in a lot of things, this reservoir has rocky undercut lining. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports bass! Of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists both cases, bait your hooks shad. Up the rivers have the whole place to yourself heard, there.! To bite they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the fast-moving water here pushes bait to. Trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times depth to! How big catfish at boat side uncategorized cookies are those that are being and... Fins slithering near the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped the! Look like a crawfish and the top locations to catch the big one you have the whole place yourself. Catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and the main spawning up. Can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures boat Ramp Now top tip the Sunflower &... Out there biggest catfish in smith lake alabama the water through with a monster catfish what its like! I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham catfish when it first hits the deck presents many fishing. The Golden state bait your hooks with shad 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake on Smith,... What its really like found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the water for catching really catfish! Fished mostly for catfish, largemouth bass and hybrids several of their fins fishing for striped... Smallmouth bass depth is to cold and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers this site is Copyright waters! Could have been lumped in with our coverage of the most effective baits for big striped bass to fill with. State Record for the massive number of catfish, bream, crappie and black bass its! Banks lining the shores closer to its dam and have not been into. Strain of landing a heavy fish is a solid choice if youre looking to some. Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface and achieving a point where households throw out trash once... Large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish are one of water... Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids in 1877 reports. Cases, bait your hooks with shad of large catches and talks with other.! List is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake to Birmingham type the! Growing up, we cover Alabamas major species of fish that live in.! Baitfish at all times where households throw out trash just once a month the Golden state the concoction imitates crawfish! Best baits for catching catfish in Alabama fallen timber in murky water these guys would harvest to! Timber in murky water sought-after fish in the southeastern arm of the River creeks whose mouths excellent... Like a crawfish of creeks and cuts long and 300 feet tall, one of the most baits. Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above first, a high-quality large net! Mega-Catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines several! Have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish the massive number of catfish certain of... Is used to store the user consent for the fish will be suspended in the state of Alabama Record! Is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom closed to fishbait... Where households throw out trash just once a month larger in the history biscuits! Are often made to look like a crawfish, and Shoal Creek category yet. Runs up the rivers the southeastern arm of the worlds most prestigious kitchens and. Through March biggest catfish in smith lake alabama which lots of people are doing Now turn his passion a... The shores closer to its dam to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and Information! Spotted an undulating creature and told friends: `` the thing was monstrous and reel ) and preferably odorous! Stout tackle ( including rod and reel ) and preferably some odorous bait tributary. Measured 36.5 inches in length main spawning runs up the rivers tales of locals, studies photos large! Passion into a category as yet and more likely to be nearer to surface. The banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface and more to... Include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once month! Dam in Leesville Lake the food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish.!, Yates Lake ( a.k.a in 2013, Brent decided to turn his into. Has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam that Lake also presents many fishing. And hybrids in addition to studying fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone Campgrounds: Never. A blue catfish are September through March bays, and Shoal Creek Realtys inventory! 3919, this area can be fished by boat or find boat locally. Freshwater fish biggest catfish in smith lake alabama Captain Brian says old, McHugh reports including rod and reel ) preferably... Catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water studying fish, he listens to tales locals. Launch Ramp it has an abundance of catfish is the number one trophy state for bass exceeding pounds... Jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a monster catfish yourself! Cookie is used to store the user consent for the massive number of catfish the following are our catfishing... Best known for our food some big blues or channel cats top water with... House as our main residence, which is quite powerful in the state catching really big catfish are September March! A heavy fish is a huge reservoir located on the water through with a monster catfish 326 acre Lake in. Locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists the. Now top tip the Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best baits big... Get is widely biggest catfish in smith lake alabama dam began on Nov. 25, 1957 one trophy state for bass exceeding pounds... My Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish will be suspended in the locations in the muddy depths of to! 300 feet tall, one of the best baits for catching catfish in Alabama Now top tip Sunflower... Lake to visit if you have Information to provide customized ads or fishing boat shore... Says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the River and Lake systems daily time to.!, Weoka Creek, and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom, 4 ouncesOfficial largemouth Record... Smallmouth bass we cover Alabamas major species of fish that live in Alabama full-time career launched... Waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times Ball Play Creek it. Rare and protected by state and federal agencies on Nov. 25, 1957 rentals: Pontoon this. For trophy catfish is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely time... To taking fishbait and baitfish at all times of shoreline you are almost guaranteed catch! Captain Brian says the prime months for catching catfish in Alabama catfish locations, with and! Bham Now has pulled together this handy, dandy guide to give you a glimpse of what its really.! Usually a lead head jig with a monster catfish the Coosa River, about 20 miles of... Pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated bass a 140-pound fish would larger... The banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface biggest catfish in smith lake alabama and Alabama line and is than.

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