Duncan Bridge Marina But the chance of hooking a 40-pound or larger catfish is much better. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. 256 338-1741, Trident Marina Multiple boat ramps and marinas serve the public with gas, launching, fishing tackle, sundries, ice, food and a host of other items to enhance boating, fishing and camping trips at the lake. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. April. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. 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. 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. This article offers a ton of great information on where to catch catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes. The fishing here is good. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. What is this? This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. Thats important. Smith Lake Fishing Adventures strives to offer the best striped bass fishing guide service on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. Lewis Smith Lake fishing for big striped bass and a host of other species in north-central AL. What'S The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught? The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. Lodging: YES For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. 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. This 12,510-acre reservoir is home to blue, channel, and flathead catfish you can catch from a dock or a boat. Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. With over 200 miles of river to fish, anglers have plenty of opportunities to set their hooks into a large catfish. Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . Rentals: Pontoon boats About Lewis Smith Lake. This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. 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.. 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. Catfishing Fall Catfishing for Trophy Flatheads on Lay Lake Apex predators, flatheads don't conform to catfishing stereotypes. 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. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. 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. Besides your basic fishing license, anglers will need some stout tackle (including rod and reel) and preferably some odorous bait. 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. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. 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. If youre after the largest catfish, though, a better bet is fishing with cut bait or threadfin shad on bottom rigs. 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. Fishing in water that is 15 to 25 feet deep is a good bet during the outgoing tide. California is the number one trophy state for bass exceeding 15 pounds, says David Swendseidbass pro and tackle rep from the Golden State. Lake Mitchell, with a 5,850-acre footprint, makes up for its sleeker body of water with 147 miles of fishable shoreline. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! 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. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Using a live minnow, shad, or crawfish, anglers should target submerged structures such as fallen trees or undercut banks to rip into massive flathead. HUGE, actually! Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Farther downstream, anglers will find success angling for flatheads along the Alabama Rivers banks by fishing along the heavily forested shoreline and working deep corks over submerged structures. Cheneyhatchee Creek also has forested, cut-lined banks for prime flathead and catfish angling. 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. Frank Lambert Dickey, Chatom, Mud Creek,Tannehill Historical State Park, (a) World Record, Rod And Reel/ (b) Previous World Record, Rod and Reel / (c) Previous World Record, Any Method, Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod, Choosing the Best Lithium Marine Batteries for 2023. 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. Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. First, the lakes are very big and they all have a healthy food base for the big ones. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. 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. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. May. First, a high-quality large landing net is necessary to control a big catfish at boat side. 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. This body of water covers approximately 21,200 acres of surface area. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. 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. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Holt Reservoir is a modest sized 3,296-acre lake on the Black . Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. Catfish will move into shallow water in the dead of winter if heavy current exists. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? 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. Home; . Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass. Some are big and others are small. Folks, however, swear cats have . Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. 16229 HWY 42 However, most people miss the trophy catfish that lurk a little deeper, preying on the sunfish and bream. A favorite spot for Carol and her family is The Grille at Trident Marina, she told us, Its a friendly place to go that you can get to on a boat, tie up, sit out on the lawn, have some great food, and listen to live music. April and May are the prime time. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. 1560 County Road 4022 Where is the best catfishing in Alabama? I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. My name is Keith Prather and fishing has been a big part of my life since I could hold a rod. 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. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. 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. Other excellent fishing locations include Pataula Creek, the Walter F. George Lock, Hardridge Creek Boat Ramp, and the Sandy Branch Public Use Area. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. Residents need to have a recreational license to fish in Alabama. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! 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 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. In a . 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. Home Fish WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? 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. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. Boat Rental: YES Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. Cullman, Alabama 35057 Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? Let it rest a couple of minutes.. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. 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. Read the story of the Alabama State Fossil here. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. This 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee River makes for some excellent catfish angling. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. Hers was the last authenticated account of the serpent, Floyd wrote. However, Sallie Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects. Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! Anglers catch the occasional flathead catfish, but most are smaller and found near the back of coves. The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. 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. 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. 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. The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. 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. A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Crawfish and nightcrawlers also yield some sizable flatheads when thrown around the lakes abundant submerged structures, such as logs, brush piles, and undercut banks. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. For the channel catfish, the Cedar Creek Dam offers a moderate current near deeper water in an area known as the Granny Branch. Rentals: Pontoon boats great white sharkWhat Was the Largest Fish Ever Caught? Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. 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. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. With average summer water temperatures of 80, youll definitely want to pack your swim suits. 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. Also referred to as the Middle Pond, Yates Lake (a.k.a. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Images by Vic Dunaway. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. . 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. Bottom rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great choice here. (Aha!). This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. Food gets flushed out of shallow areas and rolls downhill so look for deep areas downstream from shallow flats to locate feeding stripers. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. 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. Be assured that a 75-pound catfish qualifies as a trophy anywhere. So is Catzilla real? 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