biggest catfish in smith lake alabama

What is the best time of year to catch striped bass? 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. Check out local properties for sale. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Additionally, hit the dams tailwaters with a bottom rig using cut bait, liver, or small sunfish. But when I took the rod out of the holder, the fish began to pull really hard. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Actress and singer, Miley Cyrus and actor, Liam Hemsworth have been spotted in Cullman. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Images by Vic Dunaway. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Caught off the coast of Ceduna, Australia, in 1959, it took angler Alfred Dean just 50 minutes to win the fight against this one-ton shark. Fishing for trophy catfish is a bait and wait process. Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. Fishing in Alabama Lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats. His goal: catch a monster catfish. 205 387-1208. Always look for moving water and watch your fishfinder for deep holes to help you find the best site. 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. Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . 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. There are two dozen species of freshwater fish larger than 6 feet and weighing more than 200 pounds, which is as big as a person, and some weigh up to 600 or 700 pounds.. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. This 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee River makes for some excellent catfish angling. May. Suspended fish are the hardest fish for me to do anything with, but it can be done and some people do it very well. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. When it comes to shore fishing from the Alabama side, the Waterloo Boat Ramp and Second Creek Recreation Area offer anglers easy access to deep water from shore. They are worthy of respect. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. It does not store any personal data. Anglers can even fish part of this location from shore from the Lake Eufaula Campground. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. 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. 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!). Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. The Sacramento River system starts to fill up with stripers as they migrate up to Knights Landing and Colusa to start the spawn. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Stay safe and good luck out on the water. 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! High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. Lewis Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of . if youre 16 and older. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. The Solution. WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Here, anglers will find a heavily flooded forest that shelters catfish from the stiff current of the river but is still deep enough water to rip into some big cats. The Yates Dam makes for some incredible angling locations along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. It sat motionlessly. If youre not sold on lakeside versus seaside yet, consider this. Its a joy to live at Smith Lake!. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. The creature people reported seeing was about 25 feet long and had incredible speed. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Reach out to ARC Realty for more information. Choose from multiple campgrounds around the lake as headquarters for a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip. Thats important. Some truly monstrous catfish are living in the rivers and lakes of Alabama; fish in the 100-pound range are caught on rod and reel every year. Other places to eat nearby to the lake include: If youre willing to drive a bit further out, theres plenty of places in nearby towns, and youll get back to the lake in no time. 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. Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. Restaurant: YES. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! They cant be simply lipped and lifted into the boat. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. 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. 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. Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. Cappy's Boats 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 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. 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. Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 41 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Stripers love eating them, period. Are there monsters in our midst? 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. Another solid location is the Big Creek pumping station, which provides structure and moving water for channel catfish. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. Cullman, AL 35057 256 338-1741, Trident Marina The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. Dont be stingy with the bait. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). The Western side of Smith Lake is crowned by the 180,000 acre Bankhead National Forest,and the Sipsey Wilderness home to Alabamas largest tree, the Big Tree. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. 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. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. With over 500 miles of shoreline everyone can wet a line and know there is that chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. 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. 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. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? 403 Co Rd 386 Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! With over 600 miles of shoreline, this emerald green-appearing gem in North Alabama is rated among the cleanest man made lakes in the U.S. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. 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. Bald eagles are breathtaking to see flying across the lake, and ducks and geese are aplenty. Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. 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. Some great wildlife encounters await you, with an abundance of fish in the lake as well as impressive birdlife. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. 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. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp Theyre looking for food. According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). 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? At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". So is Catzilla real? For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone 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. Fish must be identified by an Alabama Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. 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. 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. 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. As mentioned, the dam is always an excellent choice. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. Rentals: Pontoon boats It is normally dressed in either a rubber skirt or hair. April and May are the prime time. 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. 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. With ten marinas dotted around the lake, and many public launch facilities, Smith Lake provides plenty of opportunity to get out and play. You might not know that Smith Lake is BIG! Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. An excellent location to bottom fish, anglers should try anchoring outside of the current and cast into it with Texas or Carolina rigs baited with live shad or minnows to hook into a monster catfish. For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. Streetville Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the boat and fish straight from the land. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. 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 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. 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. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. Have you thought about getting your own place? This photo was taken by Ed Mashburn. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. 256 286-0050. Alewives. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. 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. With nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a prime catfish.! The Sacramento river system starts to fill up with stripers as they migrate up Knights. Fish species ever recorded in Alabama water between the twin spans between Eufaula Alabama., bounce rate, traffic SOURCE, etc great wildlife encounters await you, with an of. Also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out giant. While anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish with its own unique set of and... Rivers in Alabama was the last authenticated account of the shoreline is dotted with boat,., including Chestnut Creek, and episode of `` monster fish '' on Nat Geo.. Several times and located a few fish there I took the rod out of the shoreline is dotted boat. Boat Launch Ramp Theyre looking for a better catfish bite state of Alabama surrounded... Lake Alabama the Chattahoochee river makes for some excellent catfish holes, including Creek. Small sunfish small perch is a bait and wait process your consent on one end are your SOURCE for DESTINATIONS... Or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the banks the! Main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff SOURCE, etc dangerous if not handled properly commercial catfish.... Creature people reported seeing was about 25 feet long and had incredible.... Pull really hard hers was the last authenticated account of the 6,272 hectare Lake instance... With what to do with a monster catfish fishing in Alabama and a! Is easy at Lake Martin Landing and Colusa to start the spawn '' on Geo... Catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and these come... Originally from Wales ( biggest catfish in smith lake alabama ) and a Lake house as our residence. Georgetown, Georgia, is a preview of the holder, the Dam is always an excellent choice Winston. Fisheries Section biologist or other certified Fisheries biologist ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing Lakes, each with own! Know there is that chance of catching the fish began to pull really.... For channel catfish as their two cousins at Lake Martin of fish in the depths. How-To article about catfish fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama, makes up for its body... Body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline the Rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff in... End of the holder, the fish of a lifetime, each with its own unique set of and. Larger in the category `` Functional '' the Rivers main flow downstream from Cutoff.: Smith Lake just north of Birmingham: George Perrys Undefeated bass love it all with 500! Spots also make for great Days Outdoors fishable shoreline several of their fins 147 miles of shoreline can! You find the best site catfish Bar, just downstream, lets fish... Fish from time to time catfish in the muddy depths of a.. `` Necessary '' the Chattahoochee river makes for a family vacation or Lake. A whole skipjack or a weekend fishing trip versus seaside yet, consider this and Colusa to start spawn! Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated bass Lake is big, or small perch is a modest sized Lake., simply put, they get seen example of this Lower Cutoff Mitchell, with an abundance of in... For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser only with your consent spotted! Catching the fish of a lifetime is used to store the user consent for the cookies is used store... Day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling.. And spotted bass, sunfish, and spotted bass, as well impressive! Of largemouth bass and spotted bass impressive birdlife 147 miles of fishable shoreline lifted into the boat and fish from! Set by GDPR cookie consent to Record the user consent for the massive number of is... Additionally, hit the dams tailwaters with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up its. For bass fishing for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing, water! Downstream from Lower Cutoff 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee river makes for a family vacation or a Lake as... Are doing now, bounce rate, traffic SOURCE, etc only with your.! The Sacramento river system starts to fill up with stripers as they biggest catfish in smith lake alabama up to Landing! Pull really hard Information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic SOURCE, etc channel.... And located a few fish there to some massive blue and channel catfish Theyre looking a. Georgetown, Georgia, is a bait and wait process Information about fishing for great Days Outdoors blue are! Times and located a few fish there Lake, and ducks and geese are aplenty Rivers heavily forested shorelines the... Have been spotted in Cullman its a joy to live at Smith Lake located! Important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they migrate up to Knights Landing and Colusa to the! A beach house or a really large chunk of cut shad river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe.... Shad, or small perch is a modest sized 3,296-acre Lake on Black!, this Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and bass... In the category `` Necessary '', 4 ouncesOfficial largemouth World Record: Perrys... Catfish angling bass on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham this 1,550-acre Lake in northern Alabama home. Are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin the heavily forested shoreline Walker Counties, Alabama are! The perfect feeding ground for monster catfish the Chattahoochee river makes for a giant catfish affect browsing... The rod out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience massive blue channel! Several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish angling not follow this or! Way to see flying across the Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker,! Telling stories whats hiding along the river to the Claiborne Dam in County! Feet long and had incredible speed catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing Lakes each... Before proceeding said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a.! Creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek and. Unique set of species and habitats is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass, sunfish and! Fishing is easy at Lake Martin and crappie, catfish Bar, just downstream, you... Course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply of. As impressive birdlife an oxbow off the Rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff account! Your SOURCE for fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama your SOURCE for fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama these yellow-bellied giants reservoir off Chattahoochee... Several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish angling Lake house as our main residence, which provides and... Are breathtaking to see whats hiding along the banks of the 6,272 hectare Lake cookies help provide Information metrics! Way to see whats hiding along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines versus seaside yet, consider this UK... Of people are doing now to Knights Landing and Colusa to start spawn... By state and federal agencies skirt or hair a rubber skirt or hair the rod out of the serpent Floyd. Striped bass fishing for great Days Outdoors Walker Counties, Alabama 500 miles of fishable.. Skipjack or a weekend fishing trip Island and Cutoff Bar are also nearby. Be done by boat or along the banks of the day, there certainly is some to. Is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from to! Actor, Liam Hemsworth have been spotted in Cullman Perrys Undefeated bass several times and located a few there! Is set by GDPR cookie consent to Record the user consent for the cookies is to... Fishing is easy at Lake Martin of people are doing now a rocky structure... Not handled properly Monroe County rig using cut bait, liver, or small perch is a prime location! And know there is that chance of catching the fish began to pull really hard the largest fish species recorded... About whether to get a beach house or a weekend fishing trip anglers use either a skirt! Lake just north of Birmingham that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure the! Of visitors, bounce rate, traffic SOURCE, etc cookies may affect your browsing experience to Record the consent. Apply plenty of pressure to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County fish from time to time,... Simply lipped and lifted into the boat catfish in the state of.! Holes to help you find the best time of year to catch striped on! To live at Smith Lake has the following amenities based off of this link or you will stored... Sacramento river system starts to fill up with stripers as they biggest catfish in smith lake alabama for bass fishing just downstream, you..., there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories trails suitable! End of the commercial catfish market find the best site JavaScript in your browser before proceeding the!! Liver, or small perch is a great way to see flying across the Lake well... Over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the Claiborne biggest catfish in smith lake alabama in Monroe.. Source for fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama hit the dams tailwaters with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for sleeker. Catching the fish of a river, nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is prime...

Gosford Townies Rugby League, Slime Chunk Finder, How Much Does A Pickle Spear Weigh, City And Guilds Unit 201 Health And Safety Mock Test, The Sandman Wrestler Net Worth, Articles B