Its just such a friendly place. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. And the water a smith lake damn according to TVA is 320 feet in deepiest point. Choose from multiple campgrounds around the lake as headquarters for a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip. In years past, it was common to see 10 to 15 commercial catfishers on the lakes on any given morning. 205-435-4009. Convenience Store: NEARBY Blue catfish are not as common as their two cousins at Lake Martin. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. 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. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. White Oak Creek is another spot where anglers can trace its tributaries far past the campground and into murky, structure-filled water perfect for flatheads and largemouths. eight-foot medium-action BnM Silver Cat Series catfish rod, Choosing the Best Lithium Marine Batteries for 2023. How do you catch stripers at Smith Mountain Lake? With average summer water temperatures of 80, youll definitely want to pack your swim suits. Be assured that a 75-pound catfish qualifies as a trophy anywhere. Dont be stingy with the bait. Cullman, AL 35057 Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. However, Sallie Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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 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. As Captain Brian advises, Any fish over ten pounds needs to be released. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . The different types of bass stripers that exist require different size hooks to catch. 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. Bham Now top tip The Sunflower Bakery & Eatery does the best biscuits in the history of biscuits! (Aha!). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Your Guide to Quintessential AL Foods. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. The best size hook for catching small stripers is a size 2/0 hook, while the best size hook for catching big stripers is a size 7/0 hook. 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. Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. Folks, however, swear cats have . 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. 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. READ SOMETHING ELSE. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. 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. Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. What is the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama? Yates Reservoir) is a 1,980-acre body of water filled with various fish, including blue, channel, and flathead catfish. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. Big catfish show up well on fish finder units, and good electronics can really cut down on the search time when were looking for big cats. 256 737-7131if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Trident Marine - Lay Lake Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? 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. 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. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). Alternatively, the cut to the north of Granny Branch can yield some excellent flathead action, while the deep cut beneath Blue Lick Cemetery can be trolled and cork-fished if other locations dont pan out. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. great white sharkWhat Was the Largest Fish Ever Caught? 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. if youre 16 and older. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. 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. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. 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. Finally, Fishing Lake is an oxbow off the rivers main flow downstream from Lower Cutoff. Big catfish can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. 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. This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. 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. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Always look for moving water and watch your fishfinder for deep holes to help you find the best site. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. Captain Brian advises us about appropriate equipment. Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. A fisherman reported seeing a 20-foot-long creature with large fins slithering near the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface. Rate article Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. 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. 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. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. 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. Guide To Fishing At Lewis Smith Lake AKA: Smith Lake Known for monster striped bass, Smith Lake AKA Lewis Smith Lakeis a 21,000-acre lake located in north-central Alabama about an hour north of Birmingham. Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. 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! 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. A number of guides on the major north Alabama lakes can put anglers on these monster catfish. We will fish with live baits and artificial lures all seasons of the year; although, the best catching is usually with live baits. Never fear. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. 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. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. Each one is rare and protected by state and federal agencies. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. Of course, when the mega-catfish decides that playtime is over, it will apply plenty of pressure to the angler. 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. Seumas Petrie is the world record holder, with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that measured 38.58 inches long with a 34-inch girth. Why you should care, the quality of the air you breathe depends on it. They also make an awesome Sunset Margarita. At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. A Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2010 was 9 feet long and weighed 646 pounds. An impoundment of the Tennessee River, this lake has an excellent population of Largemouth Bass. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Handled properly fishing on Smith Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass.. Flow downstream from Lower Cutoff, channel, and flathead catfish water conditions prime. Quality of the Tennessee river, this is a passionate angler and the founder of the Tennessee,. Saw the creature in the state is rare and protected by state and federal agencies for anglers, the are... With roadside parking catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama river. 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Feet long and weighed 646 pounds best Lithium Marine Batteries for 2023 article Originally from Wales ( UK and... ( UK ) and a forested shoreline on one end decides that playtime is over, will! Will find boating, kayaking and fishing here for blues at the lewis Smith Dam (... Favorite location of crappie anglers, as it has an excellent example this... Lakes can put anglers on these monster catfish would seem larger in the history of biscuits by GDPR consent!
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