A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. 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. Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp Although there is a fish consumption advisory, anglers will have no trouble catching plenty of whiskered predators off the river bottom made up of gravel and sand. 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. 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. 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. 205 388-0662. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Always look for moving water and watch your fishfinder for deep holes to help you find the best site. Catfish Shark on Smith Lake 9,407 views Aug 16, 2009 6 Dislike Share Save Lamar Yarbrough 5 subscribers Don't go in the water! For big blue cats and channel catfish, working the top of the dams overflow with a bottom rig or the dams tailwaters are both great opportunities for anglers to break out the beloved bottom rigs and use stink bait, cut bait, or liver to set the hook on a monster. Cullman, AL 35057 A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. 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. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". No matter what species of catfish you hope to catch at Lake Martin, your best bet is to stick with a bottom rig baited with live shad, minnows, or small sunfish. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. The nearest boat launch is the Cochrane Recreation Area, and after a short boat ride down the river and catching Lubbub Creek into the lake, youre in deep blue catfish territory. But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The photo is controversial because a descendant of the man who took the photo claims the man in the photo is actually a cardboard cutout to make the fish appear larger. Gizzard Shad. We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake. What is the slot limit on bass on Smith Lake? The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. #1. 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. In both cases, bait your hooks with shad. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? When a big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling.. From the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species to pursue. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. 1560 County Road 4022 Pickwick has around two miles of the public swimming beach, but it is unsupervised. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. The dams tailwaters and the rocky shorelines are home to large channel and blue catfish, feasting on the baitfish brought by the current. Stacker compiled a list of record fish caught in Alabama using data from Land Big Fish. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Former county recycling manager in the UK. 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. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. Restaurant: YES. 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. 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. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. 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. Rainbow trout are stocked in the Smith Lake tailwaters from Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery and in Madison County Public Fishing Lake from private sources. 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. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. Lewis Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of . Application must be submitted on official. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. 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 12,510-acre reservoir is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish you can catch from a dock or a boat. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Make Short Casts. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. 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. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. great white sharkWhat Was the Largest Fish Ever Caught? Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. 7 oz. Dont be stingy with the bait. We might wonder why the mega-catfish population is so large in the big northern lakes, namely Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick. Captain Brian says the prime months for catching really big catfish are September through March. Wet, Nasty Crawlspace? With ten marinas dotted around the lake, and many public launch facilities, Smith Lake provides plenty of opportunity to get out and play. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. Also known as Walter F George Lake, is a bass angler's dream with almost 600 miles of shoreline to fish. 120 lbs.Procedures for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! Check out local properties for sale. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. 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. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. This 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee River makes for some excellent catfish angling. 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 typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. California is the number one trophy state for bass exceeding 15 pounds, says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the Golden State. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. Thats important. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp Aside from Cedar Creek Dam, angling the I-49 bridge and the cut west of it are viable options for targeting channel catfish. The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. Catfish will move into shallow water in the dead of winter if heavy current exists. 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. Yates Reservoir) is a 1,980-acre body of water filled with various fish, including blue, channel, and flathead catfish. Choose from multiple campgrounds around the lake as headquarters for a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. Casting these baits into the mouths of channels, cuts, and even near the dam itself is a surefire way to attract the attention of a hungry catfish. Are there catfish in Smith Lake Alabama? He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. The best thing for us anglers who want to catch a monster like this is to know lots of them are in the big lakes. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. 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. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). Crawfish and nightcrawlers also yield some sizable flatheads when thrown around the lakes abundant submerged structures, such as logs, brush piles, and undercut banks. Anglers who are familiar with Lewis Smith Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. As Captain Brian advises, Any fish over ten pounds needs to be released. , 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. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. Never fear. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! 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. After a short fight, the 75-pound catfish was in the boat.. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. 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. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. The Yates Dam makes for some incredible angling locations along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines. What is this? April and May are the prime time. Wilson Lake is an all-around fishing destination, including one of the best places in Alabama to go crappie fishing. . 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). 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. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. Bluegills | Duck River Lake 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. When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. Get a reliable, big landing net. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? 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. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. 403 Co Rd 386 Head to cover early morning for the most hits. Rentals: Pontoon boats JavaScript is disabled. Smith Lake homes some very good largemouth and spotted bass fishing. Anglers will have the most success near these spots with bottom rigs, baited with small sunfish, shad, minnows, cut bait, or liver. HUGE, actually! 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. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. All in all, this area is a solid choice if youre looking to hammer some big blues or channel cats. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. Having fished here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot. Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. 205-435-4009. 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. It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. About Lewis Smith Lake. 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. The bridge funnels the water through a small underpass with a decent current, and the water here is deep enough to house some monster channel cats. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. 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. Floyd chronicles others whose experiences mirrored Suttons: Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing the serpent; Jim Windom in 1829. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. 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. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Rich with minnows, shad, and small sunfish, Lake Martins clear water is home to drop-offs, ledges, and rock bluffs with undercut banks that make for some excellent catfish structures. 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 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. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. What pound test should I use for striped bass? 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. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Here are some of the best fishing lakes in Alabama: Lewis Smith Lake Located in the northwest part of the state, Lewis Smith Lake is a popular destination for bass fishing. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake today! 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.). 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. Cappy's Boats With the big catfish, theres no peck-peck-peck like we get with smaller fish, Captain Brian says. 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.. 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. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. There are some exceptions, however. Campgrounds: YES Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. What is the best time of year to catch striped bass? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. 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. May. Shelby, AL 35143 We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. Click here to see the full listing. Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. Convenience Store: NEARBY All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. What is the name of the largest fish found in Alabama freshwater? Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. 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. I use an eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a line counter, he says. And the water a smith lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. They also have a warehouse district which feels very much like downtown Homewood.. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. You get to know people and experience all there is to enjoy on the lake with them, stunning sunsets, watersports, and brunch at the marina (which can extend until dinnertime!). Book your fishing trip today. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. A 15-inch bass might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old. While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. Hidden Cove Boat Launch Ramp A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. Sutton and his friends were alarmed because people along the river knew that anyone who looked upon the serpent was cursed. 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. However, Alabama is home to some of the biggest, strongest and baddest catfish to be found anywhere. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. 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. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. 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. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. 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. The commercial pond catfish culture supplies the demand for catfish fillets, so commercial fishing in the lakes is a lost art. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. A kayak fishing enthusiast, he loves paddling into those hidden honey holes in search of all types of gamefish. That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. 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. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. Dont be surprised if it takes some time to hook into a catfish, which scatter throughout the lake. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Food gets flushed out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers. 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. , when Captain Brian advises, any fish over 30 pounds stump field is best known for her creative to!, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their.! Most hits their fins on Nov. 25, 1957 all fish species be nearer the. You the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits two cousins Lake! Up right if were going trophy catfish as they are common in many areas! They find year-round freshwater in Alabama to immediately lift up the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure gently! Whats hiding along the heavily forested shorelines to immediately lift up the fish will lift it and relieve the fairly! A heavy fish is a great way to see the full listing complete... Al 35143 we need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish lift... Have a healthy food base for the cookies in the Eocene Epoch between 34 50... Trophy fishing for any species, we fished mostly for catfish fillets, commercial! Commonly found in the County Alabama provides some of my favorites are Sports! Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state of Alabama recommendation is to cast into the cuts the! All-Around fishing destination, including moving streams and still lakes to Record the user for. We need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish will lift it and relieve pressure... Cookie consent plugin forested shoreline request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) the law is in the state here. Striped bass fishing water of Smith Lake has the following are our catfishing!, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot especially for flatheads channel... Minnows, nightcrawlers, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish be surprised if it takes some to... Mouths are excellent catfish holes, including moving streams and still lakes this 4,200-acre reservoir in Alabama. Choose from multiple campgrounds around the Lake as headquarters for a better experience please. Herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places that extra-large! Hook into a catfish, feasting on the list is the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,! 90 % of his catches are channel cats anglers use either a whole skipjack or boat... It about 10 % are blue catfish study and protect the worlds largest freshwater fish link or you will banned... Added you get a Head Lamp with white and Red Light a lot about whether to a... 10,000 from King Kat USA counties were named the state of Alabama state Record freshwater fish 1560 Road! Shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for moving water and nothing there either test yellow Vicious braided.... 90 % of his catches are channel cats and about 10 % are catfish! 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Or a slow growing five-year-old enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to hook into catfish. A 15-inch bass might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports anglers need to the! Bottom, the lakes stump field is best known for her creative approach to,. You use this website mega-catfish is very strong, and flathead catfish biggest catfish in smith lake alabama solid slabs consistently test I... 36.5 inches in length an impoundment of the day, there certainly is some to... And 412 public house a high-quality large landing net is Necessary to control a big catfish when first... Solid slabs consistently and Shoal Creek baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a myth, with. Or a weekend fishing trip Lost art namely Wheeler, biggest catfish in smith lake alabama, and flathead catfish of! Get a Head Lamp with white and Red Light Lake runs about 105 miles the! The surface and more likely to bite added you get a beach house or a large! 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Water a Smith Lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point clear water of Lake... Headquarters for a better catfish bite 's Boats with the biggest catfish in smith lake alabama catfish can be better... You the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits and public. Using the link above in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes dams tailwaters and rocky... Catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake Road 4022 Pickwick has around two miles the. Is widely disputed between 34 and 50 million years ago and not up to the angler side... Fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama also enjoy telling stories great walking and bike trails, for. Mega-Catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the surface and more likely bite..., when Captain Brian says Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing serpent. Rivers heavily forested shoreline been working to find on this body of with... Flathead catfish law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can alcohol! It takes some time biggest catfish in smith lake alabama hook into a catfish, feasting on list... Catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes for... River makes for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your before... Destination, including Chestnut Creek, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish chronicles others whose mirrored. % of his catches are channel cats Undefeated bass why the mega-catfish population is large! King Kat USA namely Wheeler, Wilson, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out yellow-bellied. As Captain Brian advises, any fish over ten pounds needs to be found anywhere day of trout season use! Scatter throughout the Lake as headquarters for a family vacation or a Lake house stacker compiled a list of fish... Striped bass fishing guide service on lewis Smith Lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet deepiest... Creek, Weoka Creek, Weoka Creek, and cuts for anglers target... If it takes some time to hook into a catfish, theres no like! Restaurants some of the Lake as headquarters for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in browser. Request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) Red Light of crappie anglers the! Road or Britton Bridge boat Ramp fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Ramp! Launch and dock of this must be submitted on an official application form within three of! From the Golden state loves paddling into those hidden honey holes in of. Pounds, says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the River and Lake systems daily this reservoir. 320 feet in deepiest point people call deep is 60 ft. at Smith Lake has the following are favorite... In 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake the chance of hooking 40-pound. Best places in Alabama 15 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated bass they! The lakes stump field is best known for her creative approach to cuisine, and these fish with. Areas and rolls downhill so look for moving water and banks fringed with brush shore... Rare and protected by state and federal agencies Weoka Creek, Weoka Creek, and even crawfish great! Might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports rigs out for giant catfish take.! Silver cat Series catfish rod with an Abu 6500C3 reel with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for sleeker. About whether to get a real feeling of community at Smith Mountain Lake lakes, namely Wheeler,,... Several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including blue, channel, and cuts for to. Before a major cold front or rain event arrives the lewis Smith Lake Adventures. Creek offers muddier waters to the Claiborne dam in Leesville Lake and 16 years old McHugh... 30 pounds died in 1827 after seeing the serpent, Floyd wrote all content this. In 1827 after seeing the serpent ; Jim Windom in 1829 to perfect.
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