biggest catfish in smith lake alabama
Reaching depths of up to 60 feet, the fast-moving water here pushes bait directly to the catfish in a funnel-like channel. William D. Webb, B'ham He said she caught her bi The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. 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. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. WebFlathead Catfish Anglers can capture prize fish weighing more than 40 pounds as well as large numbers of these tasty fish while flathead catfishing in Alabama. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. 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. No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. See exception for Weiss Reservoir. Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. Can you eat the fish from Smith Mountain Lake? 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. 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. With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. Most trophy cat anglers use either a whole skipjack or a really large chunk of cut shad. This 39,000-acre reservoir in Central Alabama provides some of the best fishing in the entire state. WebJason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. After a short fight, the 75-pound catfish was in the boat.. 4/3/81. Jul 5, 2009 Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake dam. - Record set Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. His goal: catch a monster catfish. Anybody else fish for blues at the lewis smith dam? This shall not apply to fish held live for release by the sponsor or its designated agent after a bonafide fishing tournament provided they are released unharmed to the public waters from which they were taken as soon as reasonably possible on the same day they were taken. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). Even the very large75 pounds and overcatfish dont fight for an extremely long time. These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. 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. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. One fisher caught a large catfish at Lake Guntersville. Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. These giant catfish live in the dusky waters of the Mekong Total length of fish measured from the front of the mouth to the tip of the tail with both mouth and tail closed. Click the images and links above for species details. The flathead catfish measured 39 Captain Brian adds, I use a Hi-Tek rod holder, and then I wait for the fish to bite. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish. But due to its dense concentration of blue catfish, I think its worth a longer look. 10 lbs., 5 oz. 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. 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? There is no closed season on any freshwater game fish. A typical northern-strain five-pounder might be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh reports. What are the fish biting on Lake Jordan Alabama? Located in southeastern Alabama, Lake Harding is home to various species, including channel catfish, blue catfish, and a host of bass. Q: Are there alligators in Smith Mountain Lake? Catfish are versatile and can live in practically any body of water in Alabama. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. 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. WebKnown 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. Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. I weigh big catfish while they are still in the net, and then I give them time to settle down before we take pictures, Captain Brian says. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. WebThere are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Except as otherwise provided for State and Federally owned and/or managed fishing lakes and ponds, the daily creel, possession limits and size restrictions for fish in all public waters of this State shall be as follows: The creel and possession limits provided for above shall not apply to fish held live for release by the sponsor or its designated agent after a bona fide fishing tournament provided they are released unharmed to the public waters from which they were taken as soon as reasonably possible on the same day they were taken. All rights reserved (About Us). Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for them. The current state record for the fish is 53 lbs. 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, The annual Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest contains information on freshwater fishing creel and size limits and is available online. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. Delicious as they are, the two species are often a topic of hot discussion among anglers and foodies alike. Keep reading to see which bodies of water in your state hold some of the most massive fish around. Do you need a fishing license to fish at Smith Mountain Lake? When asked how the big ones strike, Captain Brian laughs and says, The really big ones are either going to hit it so hard youll think the rod holder will come off the boat, or the line will simply go slack as the fish takes the pressure out of the line and swims upward., The usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short.. And that fine fish was not an unusual catch. As mentioned, the dam is always an excellent choice. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. You can find Sunfish, Channel Catfish , Bluegill, Crappie, Striped Bass and largemouth bass on these waters. Arley, AL 35541 Best lures will be large plastic worms, jigs, drop shots, crank baits, Carolina rigs and shaky heads. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. 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. When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large fish are powerful animals. Rich with juvenile bass, sunfish, and crappie, this lake is the perfect feeding ground for monster catfish. 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. Wheeler Lake at one time held the world record for the largest blue catfish. 205 388-0662. Dont be stingy with the bait. Anglers can find plenty of sizable flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water. The state record blue catfish came out of Holt Reservoir. Bait & Tackle: NEARBY Fish on Smith Mountain Lakes No More Than Two Meals a Month List: Striped Bass, Gizzard Shad, Carp, Redhorse Suckers, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish. Shelby, AL 35143 - Location: Guntersville Reservoir. Peter Faber of Hardy caught this monster 29+ pound flathead catfish late at night April 23 fishing on Smith Mountain Lake. I spool my reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line. The record for the largest Goonch ever caught belongs to Jakub Vgner, the host of National Geographic's Fish Warrior.. People, especially the Caboclos in Amazonia and natives of other parts of South America and in Asia, love to tell these blood-curdling stories! Convenience Store: NEARBY 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 It is illegal to possess any Crappie less than nine inches in total length taken from Alabama public waters, including Aliceville Reservoir and Pickwick Reservoir. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Located in the northeast section of the lake, off County Road 386, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and massive, paved parking. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. Those four or five bites in a day are likely to come from very big fish. We are thrilled to celebrate ten years of tournament fishing in the great state of Alabama, said Alabama Bass Trail Program Director Kay Donaldson. Peter Faber of Hardy caught this monster 29+ pound flathead catfish late at night April 23 fishing on Smith Mountain Lake. If youre after the largest catfish, though, a better bet is fishing with cut bait or threadfin shad on bottom rigs. Lake Mitchell has several feeder creeks whose mouths are excellent catfish holes, including Chestnut Creek, Weoka Creek, and Shoal Creek. Home to striped bass and catfish, this area is rich with shad and features a stiff current over plenty of deep holes where anglers can hook into some truly impressive fish. Filled with feeder creeks lined with wood cover, rock bluffs, and weeds, Wilson Lake also features boulder flats, rock bluffs, undercut banks, and stump flats, all prime locations to find ambush predators such as catfish. WebOur Record Bluegill and Shellcracker. Parker Creek Marina also features several fishing piers that put anglers on open deep water without leaving shore. Rentals: Pontoon boats They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. All sturgeon must be immediately returned to water with least possible harm. These guys would harvest 300 to 400 pounds of catfish. What is Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. Many people consider the new and full moons to be the best time to fish for stripers because they create strong ocean currents, which bass thrive in. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The station is in the southeastern arm of the lake, which is full of creeks and cuts. With five significant species in Alabama, catfish are one of the most sought-after fish in the state. 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. Capacity was reached on March 7, 1966 and the lake became the recreational capital of Southwest Virginia. It is illegal to possess any Sauger less than 15 inches in total length. 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina How do you catch striped bass on Smith Mountain Lake? Alligator gar caught with commercial fishing gear must be immediately returned to the water. These locations usually have a current and are best angled with a bottom rig, such as a Carolina or Texas rig baited with the cut bait or liver. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. The state record white catfish came out of Chambers Co. Public Lake. This area can be fished by boat or shore off Lost Creek Road or Britton Bridge Boat Ramp. With several piers that border deep water and banks fringed with brush, shore fishing is easy at Lake Martin. The state record flathead catfish came from the Alabama River. This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Unless noted below, the seasons for all designated game and commercial fish are open continuously. For crappie, gar and largemouth bass, adults should limit consumption to no more than two eight ounce meals per month. West Point Reservoir and its Tributaries It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass less than 14 inches in total length. My reels with 80 lb test yellow Vicious braided line of Chambers Co. Public Lake ). Species in Alabama on a fish over 30 pounds with cut bait or threadfin shad on rigs. Baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or plastic be anywhere between six and 16 years old, McHugh.... 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When trophy fishing for any species, we have to be aware that these extra-large are... Largest catfish, I think its worth a longer look state record blue catfish that weighed pounds. Of creeks and cuts also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas perfect... The seasons for all designated game and commercial fish are powerful animals feet, the two species often!
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