Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. How do you catch big brown trout at night? This 9,200-acre reservoir along the Black River in west-central Alabama is a catfish haven. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. They are no longer rare. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. When fishing for blues in the main current of the Tombigbee River, anglers should stick to fishfinder or Carolina rigs that will keep your set-up pinned to the bottom and the bait in the water column. There are some exceptions, however. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. The best fishing for big cats occurs when the dams are generating maximum current. 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. After all, big baits catch big fish. 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. Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. 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 7 oz. 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. Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass and striped bass at Smith Lake in Alabama. 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. Bloodworms and Sandworms as Striped Bass Baits Bloodworms and sandworms are highly effective striper baits just about everywhere these fish are found, virtually any time of the year. 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. Its possible to hook very large catfish on standard-issue fishing gear. Large cats will show as bright yellow or red arches on the unit.. Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish, but most are smaller and found near the back of coves. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. He said she caught her bi Pickwick has around two miles of the public swimming beach, but it is unsupervised. Marina: YES Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. Ive seen one, Hogan said. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. 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. A study performed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences showed that striped bass see yellow and chartreuse better than other colors as they are smack dab in the middle of the striped basss visual range. 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. The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. Click images for fishing tips and details about each species. 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.). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. As mentioned, the dam is always an excellent choice. While many of the world's largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the. 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. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. I have always thought. Gizzard Shad. 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. Amenities. Since the bite on Wilson and Pickwick was slow, I contacted Mike Mitchell of Albertville who has a great deal of experience on Wheeler Lake to see if we could locate a trophy fish. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Location and Information: Smith Lake is located in Winston, Cullman and Walker Counties, Alabama. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. 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. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. 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. Its small town living., This is echoed by ARC Realtys Leda Mims, Ive been coming to the lake since I was nine years old. Guntersville Reservoir, Jeremy S. White, Alexander CityJack Grant, Altoona, Richard Johnson, Bay Minette It has a boat dock with swim platform and is less than 10 mins to I65 perfect for commuting to Birmingham. #1. 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. The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. Here in Alabama, we are known for our food. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. 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. Filled with brush piles and submerged trees, Pickwick Lake also has multiple deep water holes and is rich in minnows, shad, and crawfish. Yellow and chartreuse are fish-catchers because, simply put, they get seen. 403 Co Rd 386 Crappie, spotted bass and sauger add to the action. What is the name of the largest fish found in Alabama freshwater? 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. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. Its not like the beach where youre battling to find somewhere on the water that is quiet and calm. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. Nat Geo WILD describes the episode on giant catfish in a press release: Lured by stories of catfish the size of Volkswagens, Zeb is on a mission to find out if the legendary giant catfish of the South really exists.. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. This photo was taken by Ed Mashburn. Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park Nightcrawler. 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 instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. 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. 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. 1560 County Road 4022 These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. Flatheads and blue catfish are the two most common species caught here. 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. 256 286-0050. 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. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. 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. This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. if youre 16 and older. Arley, AL 35541 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. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. 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. Campgrounds: YES Instead, the usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short. Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. Good quality electronics are just as important for finding and catching trophy catfish as they are for bass fishing. Cappy's Boats A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. Anglers best bet for catching these big, hungry ambush predators by boat is to work the shoreline around Lost Creek Boat Ramp, including Hester Branch, Smelser Spring Branch, and Dudley Hollow with a deep cork. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. Those four or five bites in a day are likely to come from very big fish. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. It has 21,000 acres of some of the cleanest and deepest lake water in the USA (260ft) and over 500 miles of beautiful tree-lined coastline. April. The Tombigbee Rivers blue catfish tend to hold in the main channel in spots like the Ball Bluff Bridge near Coffeeville, McGrews Shoals near St. Stephens Historical Park, or the intersection of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers near Mt. The lake is home to largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, catfish, and . Book your fishing trip today. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. Get a reliable, big landing net. April and May are the prime time. That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. Head to cover early morning for the most hits. Fed by the Tallapoosa River and other streams, the Martin Dam Hydro Electric Plant keeps water moving through this big lake and provides an excellent location to catch channel catfish. Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. What is the biggest fish caught in the world? The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. So, when a big catfish is caught, it should be released. 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!). 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. 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. 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. WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? 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. 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. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. 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. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. His goal: catch a monster catfish. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. 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. The mouth of Havoc Branch or the cuts on either side of Seales Nursery are upstream from the dam but still have a decent current with relatively deep channels. 205 387-1208. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. This has led to more and larger fish in the entire Tennessee River system. 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. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. 67,070 acres. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. 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. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. The Sacramento River system starts to fill up with stripers as they migrate up to Knights Landing and Colusa to start the spawn. Smith Park Boat Launch Ramp They just take the bait and go.. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. 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. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. Supposedly, the record is a 123 lb. Click here to see the full listing. 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