biggest catfish in smith lake alabama

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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. This 9,200-acre reservoir along the Black River in west-central Alabama is a catfish haven. April and May are the prime time. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. 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. It does not store any personal data. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). They are no longer rare. The truth is out there, and Dr. Zeb Hogan of the Nat Geo WILD channel is looking for it. 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! 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. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. Anglers should be cautious of the current, which is quite powerful in the dams tailwaters. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. May. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. 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. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. Some are big and others are small. Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . Thats important. Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabama's inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. The dams tailwaters and the rocky shorelines are home to large channel and blue catfish, feasting on the baitfish brought by the current. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. After the big fish is hooked, its largely a matter of holding on when the fish tries to run and then steadily applying pressure and taking in line when its possible. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? 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. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. Although its most well-known for trophy largemouth and spotted bass, anglers catch a variety of species in this reservoir, including massive channel and flathead catfish, rainbow trout, and world-record striped bass. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 403 Co Rd 386 October 12, 2022 September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. A 280-mile-long tributary of the Alabama River, the Coosa River is a heavily developed body of water with multiple impoundments, dams, lakes, and of course, lots of big catfish. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? 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. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Home; . Because channel catfish love deep holes and currents, its essential to locate deeper holes with fast-moving water to target these hungry catfish. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. Anglers can even fish part of this location from shore from the Lake Eufaula Campground. Hidden Cove Boat Launch Ramp At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. 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. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. 55 Marina Drive Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. Largemouths | Lake Eufaula. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Book your fishing trip today. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. . This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. Convenience Store: NEARBY Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. The lake spans over 21,000 acres in Cullman . 16229 HWY 42 Large cats will show as bright yellow or red arches on the unit.. He said she caught her bi The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. 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. 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. Vernon. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. About Lewis Smith Lake. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. What pound test should I use for striped bass? Those four or five bites in a day are likely to come from very big fish. Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. Mike slowly pulled the rod straight down to about a half-bend. His goal: catch a monster catfish. 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. 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. Some of these stories we hear about Volkswagon-sized catfish and people seeing serpents in the water come from older times when probably even bigger animals and fish were living in rivers and lakes, Hogan said. Nightcrawler. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. 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. 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. But if youd like to up your game, check out our complete guide to catfish fishing techniques, including the best baits, tackle and plenty of tips. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. Sutton and his friends were alarmed because people along the river knew that anyone who looked upon the serpent was cursed. Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp When we made our first stop, we landed the huge fish after about an hour., We caught the big fish in 52 feet of water just downstream of Elk River, he adds. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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 cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake. How do you fish for blueback herring lakes? 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. Located between Lake Martin and Thurlow Lake along the Tallapoosa River, Yates Lake has earned a reputation for big striped bass, but its hidden gem is its quality catfish population. ). Never fear. Cullman, Alabama 35057 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. What is this? Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. 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. Also referred to as Converse Reservoir, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County is filled with channel catfish, bass, and sunfish. Check out local properties for sale. Streetville Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the boat and fish straight from the land. Anglers can catch some catfish from the docks, but most anglers there are fishing for panfish and using nightcrawlers or even crappie pellets under a cork when a surprise catfish strikes. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? 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. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Rentals: Pontoon boats 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. For the past 10 years, Hogan has been working to find, study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? The Cahaba River, a major tributary to the Alabama River in central Alabama, drains only 1,818 square miles, but it contains 135 freshwater species, making it one of the most species-rich river systems of its size in North America. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. The results of his research will appear in the first episode of a new season of Monster Fish at 9 p.m. Central time on July 5. Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. We might wonder why the mega-catfish population is so large in the big northern lakes, namely Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick. This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. Seumas Petrie is the world record holder, with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that measured 38.58 inches long with a 34-inch girth. Images by Vic Dunaway. 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. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. Fishing 24-7 Guide Service offers guided trips on Smith Lake, Alabama for trophy striped bass. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. Alabama Catfish Prospects for Summer During summer, blue and flathead catfish offer anglers an opportunity to [] The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. Campgrounds: 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. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. Anglers may be able to catch shad at the back of the lake by cast net or buy them from a bait shop. 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? How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? 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. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. Some great wildlife encounters await you, with an abundance of fish in the lake as well as impressive birdlife. 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. Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. 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. When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. I had been fishing Wilson Lake for the past couple of weeks in search of a trophy-size fish, Captain Brian says. October is a good month for the big ones. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Cappy's Boats 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. California is the number one trophy state for bass exceeding 15 pounds, says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the Golden State. 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. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. Fishing from the Elkahatchee Creek Boat Ramp is a viable option, thanks to a small fishing pier that faces into the channel under the Coven Abbott Highway. April. Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. Wet, Nasty Crawlspace? 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. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. Here in Alabama, we are known for our food. 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. Alternative locations anglers can target include the cuts on the northern portion of the lakes western shoreline. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. Are there monsters in our midst? Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 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). Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. 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. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. Boat Rental: YES 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. This lake snakes its way across the forested northwestern Alabama Hill Country with various creeks and small channels filled with cover, making it a flathead paradise in addition to an excellent bass lake. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. In exotic locales, yes. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target the feeder creeks and stump flats, where anglers can catch catfish, crappie, and bass side by side. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. 67,070 acres. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. With five significant species in Alabama, catfish are one of the most sought-after fish in the state. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. What is the biggest fish caught in the world? I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Yes, the state does stock trout on the lower side of the damn ,and the water is always cold on that side, I"m talking about the upper side, Very deep water alote of current and alote of shad. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. Whether fishing from a boat or the shore, Yates Reservoir allows anglers to set their hooks into a myriad of species, all from one location. Pickwick has around two miles of the public swimming beach, but it is unsupervised. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. However, Sallie Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects. 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. 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. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. 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. 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 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. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. Catfishing Fall Catfishing for Trophy Flatheads on Lay Lake Apex predators, flatheads don't conform to catfishing stereotypes. 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 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. #1. Click images for fishing tips and details about each species. 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. The Sacramento River system starts to fill up with stripers as they migrate up to Knights Landing and Colusa to start the spawn. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. Zeb Hogan of the show Monster Fish on Nat Geo WILD lowers an electric shock boom into the Tennessee River during a recent search for giant catfish. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! Anglers can make their way to the R. F. Henry Lock and cast from the rocky shoreline on either side of the lake with heavy tackle and bottom rigs to catch these monster catfish. 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. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. The $29 million project was formally dedicated on May 23, 1961, and named for Alabama Power Company president Lewis M. Smith, who had been closely involved in its planning and design.

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