So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . March 06, 2019 By Eileen Ann Davis. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? 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. 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. Because shad and sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see whats schooling before baiting your rig. This article offers a ton of great information on where to catch catfish at Alabamas best fishing holes. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. #1. A quality rod holder allows the fish to eat and take the bait without an over-eager angler trying to set the hook. We just felt wed use a cabin at the lake a whole lot more if it were a little over an hour away, as opposed to a five hour trip to the beach, and we were right said Carol. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. 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. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. 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. Other excellent fishing locations include Pataula Creek, the Walter F. George Lock, Hardridge Creek Boat Ramp, and the Sandy Branch Public Use Area. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp Besides your basic fishing license, anglers will need some stout tackle (including rod and reel) and preferably some odorous bait. Gloves are necessary equipment for handling mega-catfish. Be assured that a 75-pound catfish qualifies as a trophy anywhere. What is the biggest bass ever caught in Alabama? This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. 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. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Boat Launch Ramp: YES Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and theres no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. Leda likes that on the Cullman side, you can be in downtown Cullman in 15 minutes and enjoy luxuries youd expect, while getting back the wilderness shortly after. Dont be surprised if it takes some time to hook into a catfish, which scatter throughout the lake. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. 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. 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. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. 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. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. 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. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and even crawfish are great baits to lure out these yellow-bellied giants. 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. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. They are no longer rare. Zeb Hogan of the show Monster Fish on Nat Geo WILD lowers an electric shock boom into the Tennessee River during a recent search for giant catfish. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. 256 756-7946if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aa_fishing_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-leader-1-0'); Duskin Point Marina Boat Rentals With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. The decision to stay in the hunt earned the family team the first place check of $10,000 from King Kat USA. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. 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. Using a live minnow, shad, or crawfish, anglers should target submerged structures such as fallen trees or undercut banks to rip into massive flathead. The best fishing for big cats occurs when the dams are generating maximum current. His goal: catch a monster catfish. This has led to more and larger fish in the entire Tennessee River system. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Vernon. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. They look after you and remember you. Yes, the state does stock trout on the lower side of the damn ,and the water is always cold on that side, I"m talking about the upper side, Very deep water alote of current and alote of shad. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. 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. This oxbow is another solid choice for anglers looking for a giant catfish. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". 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. Another great location is the Lower Cutoff south of Jackson. Arley, Alabama 35541 7 oz. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. 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. A net that is too small or rotten and not up to the strain of landing a heavy fish is a recipe for disaster. Marina: YES This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Located in the southeast section of the lake, off County Road 41, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! He said she caught her bi 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. Floyd chronicles others whose experiences mirrored Suttons: Billy Burns died in 1827 after seeing the serpent; Jim Windom in 1829. ). The fishing here is good. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. It is another great lake to visit if you plan to do any fishing this summer. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. Catfish will move into shallow water in the dead of winter if heavy current exists. WhatS The Biggest Catfish Caught In Alabama? Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. The lakes northwestern and northeastern areas offer better flathead catfish locations, with cuts, bays, and channels dotting its shorelines. Nightcrawler. Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. HUGE, actually! Some are big and others are small. What is this? The scent will travel with the current and draw in the catfish. For instance, the water between the twin spans between Eufaula, Alabama, and Georgetown, Georgia, is a prime catfish location. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. Geneva County is a prohibition or dry county. This 4,200-acre reservoir in northwestern Alabama yields excellent catfish angling, especially for flatheads and channel cats. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Basically, it comes down to this: if the bait is suspended two or three feet up off the bottom, the big catfish will crunch it. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target the feeder creeks and stump flats, where anglers can catch catfish, crappie, and bass side by side. How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? 175 County Road 312 Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. Cullman, Alabama 35057 The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Fishing in Alabama Lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats. JavaScript is disabled. The earth- and rock-filled dam is 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, one of the largest dams of its type in the . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. Fishermen tell tall tales.". In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. 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. We will fish with live baits and artificial lures all seasons of the year; although, the best catching is usually with live baits. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. 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