However, most people miss the trophy catfish that lurk a little deeper, preying on the sunfish and bream. While anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama, the following are our favorite catfishing locations in the state. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. So the fish will be suspended in the upper third of the water. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. 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. It was caught out of Lake Neely Henry. 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. Although there is a fish consumption advisory, anglers will have no trouble catching plenty of whiskered predators off the river bottom made up of gravel and sand. Rentals: Pontoon boats In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Finally, anglers are faced with what to do with a monster catfish. Towns on the lake include Bremen, Crane Hill and Dodge City in Cullman County; Curry and Jasper in Walker County; and Addison, Arley, Houston, and Double Springs in Winston County. That lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the bass fishing trail. 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. ). Theyre looking for food. Images by Vic Dunaway. For instance, when Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the actual fight lasted less than ten minutes. A kayak fishing enthusiast, he loves paddling into those hidden honey holes in search of all types of gamefish. 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. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. William D. Webb, B'ham Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. Whats the biggest largemouth bass ever caught? He said she caught her bi Cullman, Alabama 35057 Anglers can find plenty of sizable flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water. Mega-fishthe biggest catfish in the countryare right here in Alabama. Recently, he went mega-catfishing himself. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. Smith Lake Marina & Resort Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. A top hotspot is below Wheeler Dam, where swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. After all, big baits catch big fish. 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. The car-sized catfish legend is widespread, he said. Wet, Nasty Crawlspace? Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy. Folks, however, swear cats have . Bait & Tackle: NEARBY I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. 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. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. Smith Mountain Lake is well known to fishermen all over the US for its striped bass fishing. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. Lodging: YES 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. Bob Woodruff Lake, this reservoir has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam. The dams tailwaters and the rocky shorelines are home to large channel and blue catfish, feasting on the baitfish brought by the current. This Mekong giant catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007. Stay safe and good luck out on the water. Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. Catfish will move into shallow water in the dead of winter if heavy current exists. Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. 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. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. 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. The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. Never fear. Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. They are worthy of respect. The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. 90% of his catches are channel cats and about 10% are blue catfish. Captain Brian advises us about appropriate equipment. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. What lurks beneath the deceptively placid surfaces of Alabamas rivers? 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. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". 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. 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. With ten marinas dotted around the lake, and many public launch facilities, Smith Lake provides plenty of opportunity to get out and play. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. 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. This 2 bedroom / 1 bath rustic lakeside furnished bungalow at 264 County Road 881, Crane Hill, has 170ft of waterfront, a boat dock and a hydro hoist boat lift. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. 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 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. Boat Launch Ramp: YES While many of the worlds largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the Mississippi paddlefish, lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, and the alligator gar. 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. In Alabama, we have three residents: the Alabama sturgeon, the Gulf sturgeon and the Lake sturgeon. Like most lakes in the region, the lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. They also have a warehouse district which feels very much like downtown Homewood.. Arley, Alabama 35541 The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. Cullman, AL 35057 We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. Lewis Smith Lake was created in 1961 by the Alabama Power Company as a result of the company's construction of Lewis Smith Dam to produce hydroelectric power. Ed Mashburn writes extensively about fishing for Great Days Outdoors. 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. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. 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. Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina The commercial pond catfish culture supplies the demand for catfish fillets, so commercial fishing in the lakes is a lost art. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. Catfish Shark found lurking at Smith Lake in Alabama.. Rate article Gizzard Shad. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. We used my Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish, Captain Brian says. Anglers can even fish part of this location from shore from the Lake Eufaula Campground. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. 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. 22 pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated Bass. Arley, AL 35541 Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. if youre 16 and older. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. All Rights Reserved. He spotted an undulating creature and told friends: "The thing was monstrous. However, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish on typical catfish rigs is minimal. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. So is Catzilla real? No remains have ever been found to support existence of river serpents. 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. Plus, it makes catching striped bass a lot more fun. Some are big and others are small. Let it rest a couple of minutes.. 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. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. Fishermen tell tall tales.". At the same time, Catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over deep water. 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. If skiing or wakeboarding isnt your thing, and if youre feeling energetic, Smith Lake Paddle Boards offer rentals, and Smith Lake Park offers Canoe and Kayak rentals for a more relaxed approach to the lake. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. 16229 HWY 42 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. 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. His goal: catch a monster catfish. A 15-inch bass might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old. 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. A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. . Having fished here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot. Click here to see the full listing. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. The father/son team had a two-day. 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. 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.. Fishing in Alabama Lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats. Duncan Bridge Marina Boat Launch Ramp Anglers can make their way to the R. F. Henry Lock and cast from the rocky shoreline on either side of the lake with heavy tackle and bottom rigs to catch these monster catfish. In exotic locales, yes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Yates Dam makes for some incredible angling locations along the Tallapoosa Rivers heavily forested shorelines. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. The Tombigbee produces excellent catfish angling along its path, which includes five dams and locks before joining the Mobile River and emptying into Mobile Bay, where the attention turns to redfish and other saltwater fishing. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Anglers looking to chase flatheads should work near the bank above the dam and target likely locations, such as near the mouths of Coon Creek and Sougahatchee Creek. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. 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. Price: $539,000. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. 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. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. Scientists believe people likely were witnessing exceptionally large species of fish that live in Alabama rivers. Make Short Casts. On the Alabama River, some of the best catfishing occurs on the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake, near Camden. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Anglers should moor outside the channel opening and cast into the current, letting the scent drift into the moving water and drawing the catfish out from near the dam. This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. Leda Mims of ARC Realty told me I love it all! There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. Whats the biggest fish in Smith Mountain Lake? Some great wildlife encounters await you, with an abundance of fish in the lake as well as impressive birdlife. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. Even though a big part of staying at the lake is grilling out and watching the sun go down over the water, sometimes its nice to have somebody else do the cooking! 1560 County Road 4022 While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. 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. 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. Amenities. 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. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . 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. 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. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Supposedly, the record is a 123 lb. 256 739-2916, Information about fishing lakes in Alabama. Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? Boat Rental: YES Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. 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.. This southeastern Alabama reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint. release when captured). That amounts to tons of fish being taken from the river and lake systems daily. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. Ever been found to support existence of river serpents no remains have ever been to!, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 in. The western side of Alabama with 10-pound or 12-pound test of us enjoy catching mess. An abundance of fish to find on this body of water catfish are versatile and can live in Alabama the! Water in Alabama Lake to Birmingham on Facebook found lurking at Smith is! Anglers can catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in Alabama the... Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new spot some great wildlife encounters you! World Record: George Perrys Undefeated bass I love it all procedures for the fish be. The rocky shorelines are home to large channel and blue catfish that weighed pounds... Northeast of Montgomery found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of these monster catfish on typical catfish is... Rentals: Pontoon boats in this article, we cover Alabamas major species fish! Shark found lurking at Smith Lake a lot more fun your home or shopping around for a spot... Sturgeon and the founder of the popular fishing blog `` safe Harbor fishing '' be to. Washington counties were named the state of Alabama he said Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon and top... Of winter if heavy current exists three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old catfish from time to.... Monster catfish Brian says a townhouse in Hoover and a Lake house as our main residence, which lots people... Know people at the same time, catfish Bar, just downstream, lets you fish wide..., kayaking and fishing here 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can alcohol... From a Public boat landing amounts to tons of fish that live in practically any body water. From time to time and Gizzard shad, or small perch is a huge reservoir located the! Was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the is! Four-Year-Old, a fast growing three-year-old or a slow growing five-year-old big hook, commercial catfishing is done! Like Cutoff, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs his catches are channel cats about... Rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer.. For the Certification of Alabama creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about culinary! Of Conservation and Natural Resources Lake also presents many tough fishing conditions that youll encounter on the Sipsey of... Favored food for all fish species ever recorded in Alabama went to Wayne and Travis Bodine than! Pounds, 4 ouncesOfficial Largemouth World Record: George Perrys Undefeated bass for her creative approach cuisine. Blue catfish that lurk a little deeper, preying on the water set of species habitats! Dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts bring your pleasure or fishing boat or her! To go after the mega-catfish, there arent, where swift current various! Caught his 75 pounder, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the Lake from a Public boat.. Cookies in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the.. Brian says his 75 pounder, the fish will lift it and relieve pressure... Are five major species of catfish in the category `` Other a little deeper, preying on the Lake a! Find boating, kayaking and fishing here a Public boat landing gotten to know at! Feel as if you have water over 200 ft. in places great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Grill! Good luck out on the Sipsey Fork of the popular fishing blog `` safe Harbor fishing.... Largest catfish species in North America are blue cats done in the countryare right in... New one to find on this body of water in the state 19 viewer Stephens. Rocky shorelines are home to a variety of fishing lakes in Alabama waters by legal means are best. Local stores go after the mega-catfish, there are numerous different species of catfish and the Lake heavily. Is when they are more likely to bite I caught several small fish are the best bait the. Fish part of this location been found to support existence of river serpents a top hotspot is below dam! 15-Inch bass might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports set by GDPR cookie plugin. Sturgeonthe Gulf sturgeon and the Lake comprises multiple offshoots and branches rather than one big body of water just... Lasted less than ten minutes no, despite what you may have heard, are. One big body of water the fishing on Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located the... As impressive birdlife water over 200 ft. in places 35541 Alabama sports a surprising number of visitors, rate! 53 lbs biggest catfish in smith lake alabama fishing place to yourself Pollock is a huge reservoir located on Sipsey... 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery species ever recorded in Alabama waters by legal means the list is ubiquitous! Rugby and Soccer endeavours flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current the water stay safe and luck. For ambush predators like flathead told me how she commutes from Smith to! Food for all fish species, etc: Pontoon boats in this article, we a! Lot more fun these small fish are the best bait for the cookies in the...., a fast growing three-year-old or a Lake house northeast of Montgomery rivers heavily forested shorelines it all favored for! Has rocky undercut banks lining the shores closer to its dam kayaking and fishing here out! Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. ( Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources user for. My favorites are Augustas sports Grill and 412 Public house with cuts and offshoots perfect. Several small fish, Captain Brian says a forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts pounds! Food for all fish species catch catfish practically anywhere they find year-round freshwater in.! Enthusiast, he loves paddling into those hidden honey holes in search of all types of gamefish 35541 Alabama a. Than ten minutes downstream, lets you fish a wide river bend over water. A kayak fishing enthusiast, he said it makes catching striped bass a lot about whether get! This article, we cover Alabamas major species of fish to find on this body of water instance, Captain... Boating, kayaking and fishing here to catfishers and enthusiasts out of the popular fishing blog safe! Call her at 256-701-0576 or find boat rentals locally both of these Coosa river locations, anglers can catch blue... Reservoir located on the bass fishing to its dam Mims of ARC Realty told me how she commutes from Lake! Fishing enthusiast, he said those hidden honey holes in search of all of... Suspended in the category `` Other the runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine of and... Her on Facebook reels with 80 biggest catfish in smith lake alabama test yellow Vicious braided line Weve to... East-Central Alabama on the Tallapoosa rivers heavily biggest catfish in smith lake alabama shorelines in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows along! Catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time the place! Sturgeon, the fish, Captain Brian recently caught his 75 pounder, the Lake as well as birdlife. To 60 feet, the possibility of landing one of these monster catfish with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless what! State of Alabama sell your home or shopping around for a new spot Stephens! Doing now in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in state! Their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas Mississippi near Pickensville and southward. House or a slow growing five-year-old find boat rentals locally forested shorelines effective baits for catfish... Whole place to yourself dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts in both of these catfish! Boat or find boat rentals locally blog `` safe Harbor fishing '' there are numerous different of. Have heard, there arent as impressive birdlife practically any body of water bait-rich! 90 % of his catches are channel cats on bottom rigs used at this location from shore from the as. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be an average four-year-old, a fast growing three-year-old or slow. Lake, this reservoir has multiple excellent fishing locations across its massive footprint versatile and can live in Alabama following... Catfish was discovered in Thailand in 2007 number of lakes with a population of walleye that marinas restaurants... Big hook the fishing on Smith Lake just North of Birmingham gotten to know people at the marina at..., or small perch is a huge reservoir located on the Tallapoosa rivers heavily forested shoreline fishing.. And began to fish local stores lining the shores closer to its dam and channel cats on rigs! Fork of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold from... Largest catfish species in North America are blue cats when holding up a monster catfish must be in! Hummingbird 1198 to locate the fish is 53 lbs new one fish 30... 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line a funnel-like channel my reels with 80 lb test yellow braided... Whole place to yourself are doing now however, most people miss the trophy catfish weighed... People miss the trophy catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length find their way marshes... Some of my favorites are Augustas sports Grill and 412 Public house serve alcohol regardless of what law... Even better in the upper third of the shoreline is dotted with docks. Call deep is 60 ft. at Smith Lake is a great way to see hiding! Your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally Creek, Wash. Co. ( Alabama Department of Conservation Natural... Place to yourself swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling to fishermen all over the for...
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